Bugaboo Owners: Airplane Travel/Gate Check

Am I nuts to be considering taking my Bugaboo?? I think I already know the answer to this, but thought I would post the question anyway . . .

I will be traveling cross country in April with my then 8 month old DS. This will be the first trip we will take without DH. On the three trips before we always checked our Bugaboo in the travel bag. Since I am going to be traveling alone, and DS has almost outgrown the Bjorn right now, I am thinking that a stroller is going to be the easiest way to walk through the airport(s). We just have a Bugaboo and right now I hate to have to get another stroller because this is the ONLY one we need and use.

My question is has anyone traveled with their Bugaboo on the plane and gate checked it? If so would you do it again - what were the pros and cons. My main concern is breaking it down in Security alone with my DS in arms. Other than that I think it would be ok - just knowing that it could possibly be damaged in transit not being in the cover. Any help or advise is MUCH appreciated!!

Sarah

I also have a Bugaboo and have already decided that when we go visit DH's family this summer, the Bugaboo will stay home. My main concern is it getting trashed by the baggage handlers (we've ALL seen how they throw luggage around). Honestly--if I were traveling alone, I would NOT want to take the Bugaboo along. Besides the risk of damage, I just think it would be too cumbersome along with your child, your diaper bag, and whatever else you're carrying on. I don't think it's a bad idea to purchase an inexpensive umbrella stroller to tote along with you. It would be lightweight, you wouldn't have to fuss with it, and you wouldn't worry about it getting ruined. Good luck!

[marinkitty]

Sarah:

I wouldn't gate check for all the reasons mentioned in your post and the reply above. We've taken the Bugaboo on trips but always check it in the bag when we arrive. Do you have a sling you could use for the airport? I did that last time and it was great. We are going to Portugal in June when DD is 15 months and definitely bringing the Bugaboo (checked) and using the Zolo for the airport. Great to have the Bugaboo at your destination, but especially traveling alone not great at the gate.

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03)

Thanks Holly & Jen for your responses - this is what I was thinking, just curious to see if maybe there was another way to use my favorite stroller, I think I will just have to check it!!

Holly to answer your questions, no I don't have a sling. I have used the Bijorn in the airport and this has worked great - but Nicolas has almost hit the limit NOW, so I am not sure he will be able to fit by our trip. I am assuming the ZOLO is the sling? Would this be a good "next step" purchase for us? I will research some of the posts - but thanks for your input!!

Sarah

[marinkitty]

Sarah -

I got the sling b/c Mia had gotten to heavy for me to comfortably carry her in the Bjorn anymore (we used the Bjorn the first flight too and it was great for the airport). She actually still fits in it now but only DH can handle the shoulder strain. My sling is from Zolowear (www.zolowear.com) - it is a ring sling and I like it but it does have a learning curve. I carry Mia in the hip carry position and she likes it a lot. There are tons of different kinds of slings and many are less expensive than Zolo. Look on the carrier board - those ladies have tried just about everything and are way more sling-experienced than I am, but for the airport I really wouldn't consider doing anything else at this point. I have to slide her out at security but that isn't a big deal. Now, hopefully she'll still be as happy in the sling when she is walking on her own or else we will be getting to the airport really early!

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03)

[mnosky1]

Maybe I only vote for taking it becuase I recently bought a bugaboo and would hope to take it on plane. :) This would be plan for travel (with DH though): Gate check frame and fold seat flat and stick in overhead bin - this is what the person who sold it to us does. You can put should strap of seat over your shoulder like a backback so you can have hands free for baby too. We gate checked our Kolcraft frame (granted frog is 10x the cost) but I watched them down steps and they were very gentle with it (4 flights) and even tried to set it up for us at top. I don't see Bugaboo frame getting damage even if they were rough.
Bugaboo says you can gate check both peices though too.
My DD will only sit in bugaboo which is why we had to buy it - she literally screams in evry other stoller so I can't imagine nt taking it on a trip.
Now, the bugaboo and a Marathon car seat on a plane should be fun...
Michelle

Hi Michelle-

Thanks so much for your response. Nicolas LOVES his Bugaboo as well which is one of the reasons I even considered taking it! One of my concerns is going through security - how much of a pain was it taking the seat off of the kolcraft and putting them through? TIA
Sarah

[C99]

If you can, ask for a gate pass for your husband and have him help you through security. I flew today for the first time with my baby (and Britax RA and stroller and diaper bag) without my husband and he was a huge help in getting everything off and onto the conveyor belt. The airlines say that this isn't guaranteed, but they didn't have a problem giving my husband one. However, the woman in front of us in line at security was also by herself and was w/ a baby who was still in the infant carrier/Snap n Go combo and the security people helped her get everything folded up and on the conveyor, so that may help too.

I flew alone across country last fall with my then 3 mos old. The security people were really great, they set up my snap-n-go for me and everything.

I am a sling person and would definitly rec using one in the airport. I'm traveling this easter and it is definitly the plan.

I have another thought though, maybe a cheapo stroller for the airport would work. If that's the only use it might be worth it if you can't get the knack of a sling.


Betsey
Buddy's Mamma 6-10-2003