Clicky poll - help me plan my solo flight w/ Toodle

schmoodle · February 2010

We're going to NY to visit family in a week and a half and I'm flying alone with Toodle and am a little bit terrified of logistics. I have to bring our carseat and stroller (if I decide to bring one) with, and am being picked up by my Aunt at curbside so no help inside the airport. I'm trying to decide the best way to get through the airport/baggage claim/et cetera with him and have the following potential plans:

1) Check the carseat and suitcase curbside, wear Toodle through the airport and carry my diaper bag on my shoulder, so my hands will be free to pick up and carry the carseat/suitcase when we land and wait for our ride. This means I wouldn't bring a stroller so I'd also have to wear him if I went shopping or stuff like that, and he's heavy and I haven't worn him in months so not sure how much it will kill my back. Options for wearing are Bjorn (always hurt my back, even when he was 8 lbs), Moby (think he may be too heavy) and Ring Sling (main concern is that it isn't truly hands free, especially with how much he wiggles).

2) Check carseat and suitcase curbside, put him in umbrella stroller through airport and check at gate, carry my diaper bag. Worry here is that with him in a stroller and dragging my suitcase, that doesn't leave a hand to carry the carseat. I considered maybe trying to hook it on the suitcase handle but haven't tried it.

3) Bring our bugaboo chassis which the carseat snaps onto, check suitcase curbside and use the Bugaboo/carseat combo through the airport (carrying diaper bag) and check at the gate. I can push him (and hang bag from handle) once I pick up my bag and use the other hand for the suitcase. Main concern here is that we worry about them damaging the Bugaboo in checked baggage (and it's difficult to fold and takes up more room in a trunk).

[Poll]

LCB34 · February 2010

I would not risk checking the car seat. I would be too worried about it getting lost and ending up in NY without a safe way to transport Toodle.

Good luck!!!

schmoodle · February 2010

LCB34:
I would not risk checking the car seat. I would be too worried about it getting lost and ending up in NY without a safe way to transport Toodle.

Good luck!!!

Well I have to check it either way, it's just a matter of whether it's curbside/in the airport or at the gate. I didn't get him a seat so I can't bring it on the plane.

LVBlvd · February 2010

Here is what I would do. Bring the car/seat stroller combo with you through the airport. But wear Toodle so going through security is easier (you will have to fold the stroller and put it through the machine, but it shouldn't be a problem if you are wearing Toodle.

Check car seat and stroller at the gate. It makes me feel better when I do this as I know it will get there safely. Then, when you get off the plane in NY, you can put Toodle in his seat right away, making the curbside pick up much easier. I have flown solo with Paige a few times and it has been pretty easy!

GL!

PhillySue · February 2010

We flew with Katie when she was 6 months. We gate checked her Graco car seat and the snap and go. It worked out really well because we were about to push her around the airport and then gate checking was surprisingly easy. I had help but I still think that is your best option. Good luck!

GypsyEsq · February 2010

I'd normally vote for wearing, its what we've done on each flight and its worked really well. But, given that you don't really have a comfy truly hands free carrier I vote for umbrella stroller and checking the carseat straightaway - yo have one of the JJ Cole carseat bags? They rock, and either come with wheels or with backpack straps. Plus if you're using the infant carseat you cam fill the rest of the bag with coats. Awesome.

LCB34 · February 2010

schmoodle:
LCB34:

I would not risk checking the car seat. I would be too worried about it getting lost and ending up in NY without a safe way to transport Toodle.

Good luck!!!

Well I have to check it either way, it's just a matter of whether it's curbside/in the airport or at the gate. I didn't get him a seat so I can't bring it on the plane.

The chance of losing a gate check piece of luggage is much less that losing a piece of luggage that has been transported all over air port property, etc.

Sorry if I wasn't clear at first!

somethingchangd · February 2010

Ordinarily I would vote for wearing too, but I know you have a lot of pain when you wear him, so it doesn't seem like that's a good plan in this case. So I voted #3. And buy a stroller bag and carseat bag before you go so it won't get damaged. They're surprisingly hefty - I think it's be pretty hard to mess up a stroller in one of those bags.

Have fun!

manda429 · February 2010

Checking at the gate usually is a better guarentee that the stroller will make it on the right flight.

Can you get a cart and throw the stroller and car seat in there and wear Toodle in the airport? Same for when you arrive and you can add the suitcase in there as well.

desabean · February 2010

I voted to bring the umbrella stroller. My gf told me about a caraway travel bag that has straps so you can wear it like a back pack...heavy, but doable...or I bet there is some other way to strap it to your suitcase and wheel it.

charmcitygirl · February 2010

LVBlvd:
Here is what I would do. Bring the car/seat stroller combo with you through the airport. But wear Toodle so going through security is easier (you will have to fold the stroller and put it through the machine, but it shouldn't be a problem if you are wearing Toodle.
Check car seat and stroller at the gate. It makes me feel better when I do this as I know it will get there safely. Then, when you get off the plane in NY, you can put Toodle in his seat right away, making the curbside pick up much easier. I have flown solo with Paige a few times and it has been pretty easy!
GL!

this! I think you will regret being in NY with no stroller but wearing him through security will be much easier! Good luck!

desabean · February 2010

desabean:
I voted to bring the umbrella stroller. My gf told me about a caraway travel bag that has straps so you can wear it like a back pack...heavy, but doable...or I bet there is some other way to strap it to your suitcase and wheel it.

caraway=carseat....stupid iPhone

GypsyEsq · February 2010

I've traveled a lot and never had my luggage truly lost, it's been delayed and yes, that's a major PITA but I personally know two people who have had gate-checked items stolen. One lost a piece of luggage the other lost a stroller. Gate-checked items are just dumped at the end of the jetway and no one confirms that the right person takes them. And because the airline has left them there for pick-up you have no recourse unlike with lost baggage. As asinine as it would be to have baby luggage delayed, especially a carseat and stroller, unless I was in first class or the first few rows of economy I wouldn't gate check my good stroller...and I don't even like my stroller. So that's one reason I voted for umbrella stroller. But I also like the idea of getting one of those cart deals - although I guess you can only use them in baggage claim right?

LIAngel · February 2010

Where in NY are you going? Have a safe trip.

schmoodle · February 2010

LIAngel:
Where in NY are you going? Have a safe trip.

Scarsdale/Eastchester - bringing Toodle to meet his great grandpa (and great aunt and uncle and cousins).

Christakim · February 2010

I've been looking into alternatives to make our flight in May go smoother. This is an option

https://cgi.ebay.com/Traveling-Toddler-Car-Seat-Travel-Accessory-Strap-NEW_W0QQitemZ390145875443QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad6819df3

daisybride78 · February 2010

What about checking everything and wearing Toodle and then buying a cheapie umbrella stroller once you get to NY? Or maybe checking out the local craigslist and see if anyone is selling their used stroller dirt cheap? We are going to FL next week to visit my parents and I found a swing on CL for 10 bucks that they bought for me to use while I am there.

Smudges*Mom · February 2010

charmcitygirl:
LVBlvd:

Here is what I would do. Bring the car/seat stroller combo with you through the airport. But wear Toodle so going through security is easier (you will have to fold the stroller and put it through the machine, but it shouldn't be a problem if you are wearing Toodle.

Check car seat and stroller at the gate. It makes me feel better when I do this as I know it will get there safely. Then, when you get off the plane in NY, you can put Toodle in his seat right away, making the curbside pick up much easier. I have flown solo with Paige a few times and it has been pretty easy!

GL!

this! I think you will regret being in NY with no stroller but wearing him through security will be much easier! Good luck!

This is what I do and Grant & I have done 3 trips (about to be 4 on Wednesday), solo.

One thing--I have always had to go to the counter to get Grant added to my boarding pass as a lap baby.

My last trip, where my SIL dropped us at the Nashville airport, but I had to rent a car in Cali, I had a 50 pound suitcase, another small suitcase (that piggy-backed the big one), a big diaper bag, a small diaper bag, Grant's travel system (carseat and big stroller) and my Bjorn. I was able to manage it all by myself. Sure, it took a bit of work, but I did it!

You can do it, it only takes on hand to drag a rolling suitcase and one hand to push the stroller. Hope you have a good trip!

roaringrock · February 2010

you're coming to ny? where?! if it's near the city ginny may have to throw a little saIF luncheon.

madhatter2003 · February 2010

Wear him in the airport, and take a small stroller. You will manage fine pushing a stroller/carseat and wearing him. Just ask for help. They will help put things on the belt at security, etc. if you ask.

gambler2100 · February 2010

I am never on anymore but just happened to hop on today and saw your post. I travel solo with our son quite a bit so I thought I'd share my two cents.

Check the flight day before or morning of - if there are empty seats you may be able to bring your car seat on even if you didn't buy him a ticket. I say, always bring the car seat and gate check it so at least you have the option of putting him in a seat if there is an open one. (We just flew to Barcelona and got a free seat for our son!) It's really nice to have the seat if it's available. Ask the airlines for a big plastic bag (Southwest has 'em, and AA) so if you have to gate check the car seat at the last minute it won't get all nasty dirty or buy one of the travel bags - but disposable is the way to go in my opinion).

If you can, check the stroller, wear baby in a sling or whatever you use, carry the car seat and throw the diaper bag over your shoulder. I find that it's also nice to have the car seat when you're traveling solo so you have somewhere to set the baby while you're taking off your shoes and stuff going through security. I've also found people to be super helpful. So many people, including men traveing on biz are parents and they're happy to help if you need a hand.

Get to the airport early, relax, take your time, you'll be fine.

AND HAVE FUN!!!!

elliek05 · February 2010

1. I think the moby is going to be uncomfortable for any length of time at this age.

2. If you have a seat for him (not sure), could you bring the carseat onboard and put the chassis in a bugaboo travel case/bag? We did that and the bugaboo travelled just fine. I got the travel case on ebay for not too much.

Having said all that, if I were going on a direct flight, I'd be tempted to sling the baby and check everything at the gate, then get one of those trollies (even if you have to pay) to get out to your Aunt.

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