Gate Checking a Stroller

I used to put my son in the carrier (we started traveling when he was 3 months) But the stroller is nice because they get heavy and sleepy. Also you can put your diaper bag underneth. Be careful getting your umbrella stroller. I would suggest not getting the cheap ones because they don't recline at all, the handles are low so you have to bend down to push, and they fall apart quickly. I bought the Jeep stroller for about $40-50 at Walmart. I love it because it folds with one hand, is really lite and it even has some bags on the side for toys and blankets. Good luck and have fun!!!

I have traveled several times wit my 2 1/2 yo. yes you do have to put your stroller on the x-ray machine. I would definitely recommend to buy an umbrella stroller (mine was $40 at babies r us) and use that. We traveled a couple times with our graco stroller that went with the carseat and it did get baged up pretty good.

I know you already got some good advice, but I just add a little something. If you do decide to bring your stroller... make sure you ask for help from the employees of the airport. The first time I traveled with my daughter I had the "I can do it all by myself" attitude and it was quite a struggle. The next time, I asked for help and was surprised by the amount of help I got. The employees actually seemed happy that I asked. Holding a baby, taking off shoes, putting bags on the x-ray machine and collapsing a stroller can be stressful so ask for help, it's there.
Good luck and have a great time.

I concur with the bring the stroller (and carseat) advice! In the spring we traveled and had the most hellacious flight experience ever (flight was cancelled, waited in line for 2 hours to be rebooked, had to gather all checked baggage and switch terminals, still had to wait 2 more hours for flight, etc. etc) and if i didn't have the stroller to help manage my 2.5 year old, we would have been DOOMED! Even if everything at the airport goes well, you can stroll through the airport much faster, and if needed to get stuff out of your bags, use the restroom, etc. can have both your hands free as needed. Our stroller has made it on many trips relatively unscathed....I bought a lighter-weight "umbrella" stroller (a Maclaren) so it folds up very tightly. You do have to fold it, and put it on the security conveyor with your bags. This is the one aspect of airline travel that is so annoying. To be juggling small child, bags, stroller, removing shoes, etc. through security. Oh, they will also make you remove your child's shoes. Just take a deep breath and smile sweetly to the people standing behind you - you WILL hold up the line, but that's just how airline travel works in this day and age. Good luck!

Amy,

You should definitely bring it for exactly the reason you said....but you should really bring your infant seat with you right to the gate (if you haven't bought the baby a seat you might want to research why flying with a lap baby is not recommended)...google flying with lap babies or go to car-seat.org or www.windsorpeak.com (go to baby411 and the carseat forums)...even if you don't purchase a seat for the baby if there is any empty seat they will allow you to bring your infant seat onboard...everyone will be happy baby in his seat, you without a baby squirming....and baby safe from any unexpected turbulence...the stroller will either be sent through the xray machine or if it is too big they will hand screen it....I've flown a lot with my strollers and never found any major damage....the idea of bringing your carseat also saves you from dealing with a lost carseat that would leave you stuck at your destination.....rental agencies carseats can be very unreliable, flithy and unsafe....again the other carseat sites have lots of info about not renting a carseat.

Flying with a little one just takes a little more organization and comfy slip on shoes!

Email me if you have any more questions.

B.

We flew with our son when he was 14 months old. We just brought a cheap umbrella stroller with us and gate checked it. The stroller was in perfect condition and I was pleasantly surprised. I bought the umbrella stroller because I was afraid that they would break my nice stroller, but my fears were unfounded. I would go ahead and bring it, then you won't have to pay to rent one where you are going. You will have to collapse it and put it through the xray machine, though, which is a pain, but worth it. We just rented a car seat at the rental place, because he was over a year and forward facing. You may want to bring your infant carrier as well, I believe you can gate check that also, but you should check the airline for that one. Make sure you don't bring any liquids in your carry-on bags unless they are for the baby. We had to throw away full bottles of water because of the new 9-11 airport laws. They did have exceptions for babies. Good luck and have fun!

I've flown quite a bit with my son (now almost 2 1/2). I've always gate checked a stroller. Minor scuffs, but nothing major. It has been very nice to have with -- easier to maneuver airports, keep him contained, feed him while we wait, etc. Yes, you have to collapse the stroller & put it through security. If you travel with the infant carrier, that goes through too. Kind of a pain, but they're usually pretty good about being patient with you. Good luck!