In a week we are going to CA to visit my husband's brother and Disneyland. We know there will be a lot of walking at the airport (as well as in CA once we are at our destination) and we want to use our stroller in the airport. What is United Airline's policy on gate checking a stroller? We haven't flown in years and cannot remember the rules. I haven't been able to find the info I need on United's website. I'm sure I'm just missing it because I'm exhausted. Thanks for the help mommas!
**Oh, if it matters we are flying out of Ohare in Chicago and into John Wayne in Orange county.
I just recently gate checked a car seat. All I did was get a ticket/tag at the counter at the gate. I walked down the jetway to get on the plane and left it right outside the door of the plane. It was right outside the door of the plane when i got to my destination. Easy Breezy!
It should be no problem to do so...just get a gate check ticket from the gate agent when you get to your location. They fill it out and then attach it to your stroller. You can gate check the car seat usually too but I find it easier to baggage check it so you don't have to lug it through the airport, unless of course your little one will be riding in it on the plane.
all airlines and airports are the same...you can gate check a stroller free of charge. typically you can also board the aircraft early also. we travel with my now 3 year old all the time (from when she was a newborn until most recently when we went to singapore on vacation) and we have never had an issue.
attach a big luggage tag to it in a bright color. and i would contact the airline regardless, its on the website somewhere, or have them email you something, so you have the policy on paper. have a fun trip!
No problem. Just be sure to get a tag from the gate attendant to attach to the stroller's handle. We made the mistake of not doing that the first time we flew: I watched my stroller going up the ramp to be put under the plane, then I watched the baggage handlers turning it around and then upside down, and then putting it off to the side. We punched the flight attendant button just as the annoucement came over the plane's intercom: "Will the passenger with the untagged Graco Stroller please raise your hand." I was mortified. Anyway - gate-checking the stroller is fabulous.
No big deal. You can use it the whole time then when you go to board the plane they'll give you a gate check ticket. They'll stow it, then they'll bring it up after you land so you have it for that airport.
All airlines will do this.
You will probably have to fold it to and put it through the screening just as you will any luggage or purse you are carrying with you.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is anything about security checks...YES, the stroller will have to be checked in the security line without your child in it (though your child can be riding in it right up until you get to security, you just need take your kid out and remove their shoes, too, to go through security). If it's an umbrella stroller, it can go right through the xray machine with the rest of your carry-ons. If it's a larger stroller that won't fit through the machine, it'll likely need to be hand-checked by the security people, so make sure you build in enough time to get that done so you're not scrambling to make your flight and get your stroller gate-checked.
Good luck and have fun in CA!
you can also check your carseat for free if you take yours with you.
I suggest that you check directly with the airline at O'hare to be sure you can do this. You don't want any surprises.
And you might want to put your stroller in a travel bag to protect it. We got one for our umbrella stroller at babies r us for $14 or so. If you have a bigger stroller, a contractor's trash bag would probably work! Yes, definitely check at the gate, will make your life so much easier! Enjoy your time at Disneyland!! We used to live 30 minutes from there and used to go every week. I miss it! There are all kinds of fun things starting up now, like a new parade, and an Ariel ride at Cal Adventure! Fun!
We were on United a week ago and checked the stroller at the gate. It was great! We left it at the door of the plane and it was waiting for us when we got off the plane. I will do that all the time now when I travel. It is so much easier than checking it with your luggage.
