Gate-checking Stroller

[urbanmom]

Hi,
We're travelling to Florida in a couple of weeks. I am trying to decide what to do re: strollers and carseats for my 2 year old. If I gate check my MacLaren Techno, I am afraid it will get destroyed. Has anyone had any experiences positive or negative? Or I can borrow, from a friend, the combo carseat/stroller and bring it all on the plane (although I don't know how comfortable these are to use as a stroller for naps, etc.).

Any travelling tips for me?

[Momof3Labs]

Which stroller do you want/need at your destination? That should make up your mind. We've gate checked strollers a number of times with no problems at all, except an occasional scratch.

I have always been lucky to have my mom borrow all baby gear when we go to Florida. Part of the reason I try to do that is due to a experience of a close friend of mine. My girlfriend had a bit of a problem and I feel compelled to share. She had a brand new Graco travel system and was going on a direct flight from Denver to Chicago. She checked the stroller at the gate. When she arrived in Chicago and deplaned, she realized that the stroller was very beat up, scratched and had some minor part missing. (It did actually function but was not the shiny new stroller she had just purchased and checked in.) When she went to the airlines lost luggage counter they were orignally only willing to give her a small amount of cash to compensate. After becoming chummy with the the guy, he decided on his own accord to give her more money.

I know what it can be like trying to manage going through the airport. My advice is that if you are not traveling alone, try to make arrangements to have something to borrow available in Florida. Juggling gear, airport security and kids is stressful enough. I don't know if you know this (I didn't realize until last week when I called) but you can rent carseats from car rental places for a nominal fee. Also there are rental companies that can rent all sorts of other stuff if you need it- cribs, pack-n-play, carseats etc(hotels are usually knowledgeable about who carries/rents this stuff.) Apparently there is a large market for this in Florida I'm told.

I am actually leaving to go again to Florida this week. I intend this time on purchasing a somewhat inexpensive stroller with a canopy which I will leave in Florida. I wasn't thrilled with the one my mom borrowed last time as it had no canopy. I too dread damaging my PP system.

I think if you are already buying a seat for your 2yr old, then the potential condition/use of the carseat won't be an issue as you will be using and watching it. As an aside, you may, however, want to call to check about the dimensions of your carseat compared to the seats. It hadn't occurred to me as a problem but when I was reviewing my airlines policy about "lap children" - gee I hate that term - there was a FAQ issue relating to carseats and widths. I would have never thought it to be an issue since there are saftey standards that the manufactureres use, but I thought I might mention it in case I am just the clueless one.

Phew...sorry for being so verbose. Best of Luck and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Sophia's Mom

[Momof3Labs]

Keep in mind that if you rent a car seat from a car rental place, you are NOT guaranteed a seat when you show up. You are simply "reserving" one if they have one available. I'd much rather haul my car seat through the airport than be faced with having to leave the airport without my child properly restrained.

And when renting a car seat from anywhere, you don't know the history of the seat and whether it has been in an accident. Definitely not worth the risk, IMO.

[egoldber]

While it is possible that your stroller could get damaged, it is not likely. I have gate checked various strollers literally dozens of times and never had a problem. I always take the stroller that I want at my destination and let that be the deciding factor.

We always bring our Britax RA when we travel. We also always buy DD a seat. It is safer for her and easier on us, IMO. That way you are guaranteed a carseat that you know how to install. And trust me there's nothing like standing in the rental car lot struggling to install a carseat, even one you know how to install, in a strange vehicle.

HTH,