Car Seat/Stroller combo for travel

[pinkd56]

I am flying in Sept. solo with my 16 month old DS and I am 4 mths pregnant. I've bought a seat for the little guy and it was suggested that I might want to buy a Car Seat/Stroller combo for traveling instead of lugging my Marathon and stroller through the airport.

Does anyone have any input on this combo? Also who sells them and what are they really called?

[kijip]

The Sit n Stroll? I just did the travel thing with my Britax RA and LARGE Zooper Sport and things went a-ok. If you have a stroller you can rig the Marathon onto (I remember an old thread about Maclarens and Britax and also the P3 as well as my recent Zooper combo discovery) I would take a pass on the limited use Sit n Stroll. Maybe someone else will have feedback on how good the car seat function is. One thing to keep in mind is that with a baby you will be sped through security lines at most airports and you get to pre-board so it does not involve a lot of lugging. I was surprized at how easy it was with the RA and Zooper.

[Momof3Labs]

Do you have a good stroller to use at your destination? If so, the sit n stroll might work for you. Otherwise, I'd take a good stroller and your separate car seat.

[JElaineB]

I have not experienced being sped through security lines or being allowed to pre-board with DS. I have flown once with DH and DS at 5 months old, and once by myself with DS at 8 months old (American both times) Frankly I found they couldn't care less that I had a baby with me. Did you have to ask for these things or were they freely offered? I am traveling again by myself with DS next week and would certainly like these extra perks!

Jennifer
mom to Jacob 9/27/02

[Momof3Labs]

Some airlines allow preboarding, and some do not. I've been whisked through a security line once with Colin, but that's it.

[DebbieJ]

I recently flew with Southwest. We took our P3 and our Marathon. Took both the stroller and the car seat through the airport as DS was ticketed. It was simple to just plop the car seat in the stroller. I probably could have transported ds that way with him sitting in the car seat, but I chose to keep him close and sling him.

At LAX, we were able to bypass the security lines because we had to take the elevator up as opposed to standing in line and going up the escalator. At Midway, we were in the same line with everyone else.

Southwest's preboarding procedure goes like this: First, it's anyone with a health condition who needs extra time getting down the jetway (crutches, wheelchairs, elderly, etc). Second, it's anyone traveling with children under 5. No special pass or anything--they just let you on. Then they start the regular boarding. It works pretty well and we were able to avoid the big cattle call.

We gate checked the stroller and had some damage upon arriving in Chicago. I'm currently hashing it out with their corporate baggage service office. Grr.

~ deb
Mommy to my sweet boy
B born 12/03
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10023.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

[kijip]

We have benefited from priority treatment at Seattle, Atlanta and Tampa Bay, Spokane. 100% of our flights with Toby (I am in school so we don't travel much). The security person saw us, asked how many were with baby and escorted us past the lines directly to the x-ray machines. I am sorry to hear that it is not done everywhere. As for preboarding we were told to board in the first group when we checked in at the gate. Once I asked when the airline rep did not tell us to do so and she seemed surprized that I did not just take it as a given to board first. We have traveled Southwest and Delta. The security thing has nothing to do with the airline, just the airport. I would ask the security person who checks your id and boarding pass if they don't offer, it can never hurt.

[pinkd56]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

[Actormom]

I have six kids ranging from 2 to 15 and have travelled a lot with all of them. I currently travel the most with my two year old, often just the two of us. I debated a lot when she was born and finally bought the sit n stroll. (flew with my Roundabout once) It is GREAT! People stop us every time we fly. The carseat feature works fine and it is a snap to install. I don't like it as my main stroller if I am touring, then I bring my smallest fold up stroller. Just a note: Never check a stroller with regular luggage, always at the gate. Last trip I used the sit n stroll and checked my NEW Macclaren... it was trashed, the frame is bent. On the return trip I gate checked it with no problem.

I never get special treatment no matter what city or airline. So many babies and toddlers on flights now, it seems like no one thinks it is a big deal any longer. Most airlines do still let families board first.

My best advice is to fly Jet Blue!! They have TVs on the plane... LOL

Lesa