Flying with a Travel System

littlewifey

I just got off the phone with the airlines, and they were SO not helpful!

I'm flying to VA next week, and am freaking out about packing everything for DS. DH is not coming with, so this is A LOT for me... HELP!

Details: We have the Chicco travel system, DS is flying on my lap (no ticket purchased), we are flying American, there is a layover in TX, so I would like to have the stroller available between flights.

Can I check the stroller with carseat and base at the gate? Or do the carseat and base need to be checked at ticketing? Or maybe I just check the base at ticketing and take the stroller/carseat to the gate?

I suppose DS can sit in the big part of the stroller if necessary, but he's more stable and comfy in the infant seat, so of course I would prefer it.

The lady on the phone had no idea what the heck I meant when I asked about the base...

Any help would be great!?

mburkhe

We flew AirTran and were able to gate check the stroller and carseat. We didnt need our base, we just used the seatbelt the old fashioned way for any driving around we did (which was not much).

edwins_girl

mburkhe:

We flew AirTran and were able to gate check the stroller and carseat. We didnt need our base, we just used the seatbelt the old fashioned way for any driving around we did (which was not much).

This except I flew Southwest.

littlewifey

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't the base necessary for the infant seat? We're going to be doing a fair amount of driving, so it is definitely a necessity.

amoureux

I work for an airline.  Keep in mind every airline's rules are a little different. 

Gate check your stroller and carseat.   That should not be a problem.

My airline allows each infant to bring two pieces of infant equipement so you can gate check the car seat and stroller.  If you want to then check the base as a separate item, it will count as an extra piece of luggage for you.   Most airlines only allow unpaid infants to check two pieces of infant equip.

I would put the base into your suitcase.   You will not want or need the base in the airport.   If you feel you must have the base in the airport, you will need to snap it to the bottom of your carseat before leaving it to gate check. Then remember during your layover you will have to have the base in the basket of your stroller along with the diaper bag, carry on, etc etc...

Personally, when our baby is here, we will not travel with the base.  I figure unless we get our installation of it checked at our destination, it may not even be the safest thing to do.  We will just use the seatbelt on the carseat.

mrsjazzsinger

I flew Alaska a couple months ago (and am flying them again next week) and gate checked both the stroller & carseat (I also have a Chicco travel system) both ways. They even helped me disassemble and reassemble the entire thing every time! I was able to pop DD in and go

Also, we didn't take the base for the carseat - just used the seatbelt installation method and it worked just fine! It made it easy to move the car seat from car to car as well, we were visiting family and didn't rent a car (borrowed from various family members).

ETA: We did a ton of driving when we were down visiting family. We were there for almost 3 weeks and drove between my parents and DH's parents (they live an hour apart) several times. We also made a day road trip down to Portland, OR from Seattle, WA (3-4 hour drive) and a few other 1-2 hour car trips all without her base. 

mollymurphy

littlewifey:

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't the base necessary for the infant seat? We're going to be doing a fair amount of driving, so it is definitely a necessity.

We have a MaxiCosi and it can be use either with the base or just strapped in with a seatbelt: either way works, the base is just more convenient. 

jacksjerseygirl

We flew this past weekend with our full sized travel system (graco quattro touring something or other). 

We did not bring the base - just strapped it into the rental car. The car seat fit under the stroller in the bin. Not sure about your system.

I will say that I would have NEVER been able to go through security and gate check it WITHOUT DH. When you combine a baby, baby bag, carry-on, putting the stroller/car seat in a bag and then lugging them down to be gate checked. No way. It was easy as pie with DH but if I were to fly with DS on my own I would have checked the car seat at the ticket counter with the suitcase and had an umbrella stroller to gate check instead.

I loved that we had the comfort of DS' travel system and as long as flying with DH - we will bring the whole thing again as it didn't add any time or much effort to our travels. If you are set on bringing the travel system then ...

- check the car seat and base (in a travel safe bag) at the ticket counter

- consider wearing a wrap so that you can have your hands free while loading it up on the conveyor at security, and so that you can have them free when putting it in a bag to gate check before getting on the plane.

- Your airline MAY charge you to check the car seat/base 

littlewifey

After 6 months owning the carseat I finally took it apart and saw the non-base instructions... duh!

Thanks for the help!?