Travel bag or no travel bag? That is the question...

[nohomama]

For those that have bought a Kiwi E3 or Explorer, MBUD, or similar high ticket stroller, did you get a travel bag. After many months I'm about to order an E3 from Kiwi Dad and I'm waffling on whether to purchase the travel bag or not. I've never used one when flying with my Techno but I imagine if I do travel with the Kiwi I'll want the option of checking it with my other baggage so that the airline will compensate me if it were to be damaged (since an E3 with all the trimmings is a pretty spendy stroller). I suppose it would be a neccessity for gate checking if I was using it as a double. I'm just not certain I'll use it to travel...at least not as a single. Thoughts?

[nohomama]

I'm just moving this back up to the top. I'm placing my order this afternoon and though I could add it on to my order later since the stroller won't be shipping from Rodney until sometime around 8/1, I'd like to make up my mind today. Any input will be appreciated.

[ginamlee]

I personally ordered a travel bag for my stroller (not the ones you mentioned) and intend to keep the bag in the back of my minivan. This way, the stroller is always enclosed and protected.

[hardysmom]

It is a tough question. If flying on an airline which won't replace gate-checked stuff, a bag would be good for the baggage check...

So far as using the bag when gate checking, I think it causes more problems than it solves.

I have flown with (gate-checked) a Peg Milano, Inglesina Zippy, and Teutonia Y2K. The only problem I have ever had was when checking the Y2K with the seat (which is the size of a stroller!) in a Graco stroller travel bag to protect it. The chassis, which I left unbagged, came back to the gate, no problem. The seat, however, was taken to the baggage claim area and had to be chased down and brought back to us for our connection. The flight crew said they know to bring up strollers/car seats, but if something looks like a duffle/luggage they usually send it to the baggage claim... Bagging a gate-checked stroller would protect it, but you have to pay VERY close attention after the flight to get it back. If it doesn't come up quickly, tell someone so they can retrieve it before it is unloaded onto the baggage carousel.

Stephanie

[TheMamaKath]

If I were flying with a Kiwi double I would definitely use a travel bag. This is due to the fact that I would want all the pieces together. I use mine with the second seat and panier bags, so it just would be more convenient. And I would definitely want to be reimbursed if something happened to it. I might however use a sturdy box for airline travel in that case. It might protect it better.

I haven't tried it in the Graco travel bag I have (yet to find a stroller to fit right in it, lol, so it currently holds all my accessories) but maybe I'll have to pull it out to see if that would work. I have considered using a bag for it in my van, just to keep everything compact and together when we travel by car.

Kath
Mama to 2 awesome, amazing, adorable kids
http://pages.ivillage.com/mamakath/mystrollercollection/index.html

[hipmaman]

I would definitely want a travel bag with the Kiwi double. Actually I do have the Phil & Ted one and used it last trip (2 wks ago). Since the backseat does need to be taken out to fold, I would want them together. With the P&T Travel Bag, you would need to remove the backseat, rear wheels and store them all in the bag to make the baggage small and flatter.

I used the Travel Bag when folded the Kiwi and gate-checked it as well as cargo-check it. It worked for us.