Hi Moms,
I am looking for advice from those who own a Phil & Ted stroller and have traveled with it by plane. We are planning a future trip, in preparation for this trip I am trying to decide whether to take our Phil & Ted stroller or buy a 'cheaper' stroller (the stroller would be checked at each gate). I would absolutely love to travel with our Phil & Ted and am NOT concerned with the weight, my only concern is potential damage (although, I would try to pad the stroller in vulnerable areas). There is a travel bag for this stroller but is does not protect the rain guards. However, when looking into the purchase of a cheaper stroller (such as a Kolcraft lightweight stroller) for the purpose of travel then I wonder how comfortable these strollers will be. I have also checked ebay, craigslist, and the goodwill but have not found anything yet worth the purchase. Thanks!
Thanks everyone for your responses. Alison solidified my decision, I'll take the newly purchased Kolcraft ($50 with a large storage bin, snack track, and umbrella). Now my struggle is to get my little one used to it since he is used to the P&T and of course prefers that one.
I have been traveling at least once a year with my kids for over 11 years. I have always had a stroller with me. Not the one you have, but I have always taken it right up to the gate. as long as it can be folded a bit they will put it below. When we get off it has always been waiting there for us. I have not noticed any real damage to my strollers when i have done this. Good luck.
I was at the airport a couple of weeks ago and me and a coupe of other moms were waiting for our kids to take off. We saw the person pick up the stroller dump it down the shoot next to the stairs at the end of the ramp to the plane and it rolled and tumbled all the way to the bottom. I was shocked that they didn't at least carry it to the bottom of the steps. Also you have to fold up strollers to get them through the security conveyer.
Anyways, I have a 50 dollar chico umbrella type stroller that reclines just enough so the baby's head doesnt roll around and I love it. There is really no storage on board but very light. I hang a small diaper bag on the handles if needed for longer outings.
I would think twice about traveling with an expensive stroller. I was a nanny for a family with a Bugaboo stroller and it was damaged on a plane trip--not ruined, but damaged for sure.
Hi, I traveled from Australia to New Zealand with my Phil and Teds and it was pretty cumbersome. If I were in your shoes, I'd buy a Maclaren umbrella stroller off of Craigs List. The Volo does not recline but all the other models do. The Volo is like 8 pounds so its great for airport travel. I have the Maclaren Techno but you can buy a cheaper model and be just fine.
I would advise not traveling with your P&T.
Although I dont have a phil and ted, I do have an expensive stroller that I have traveled with extensively. I never had any damage and it was well worth it for my daughter to be comfortable on the trips. However, she did travel in the cheap kolcraft ones for the first year of her life and it didnt seem to make a difference for her, she was just as comfortable, but that was what she was used to. I only had one slight mishap when checked at the gate but it was worth it to have through the airport. I highly recommend checking at the gate.
go with what you know and enjoy!
I wouldn't travel with an expensive stroller - we have had a couple of them ruined - not worth the aggrevation!
Hello,
I traveled a few times by plane with our stroller (CA - Wis, CA - WA and CA - England) and my stroller a Peg Perego was only slightly damaged in all the trips. The worst trip was to England. All the other trips I checked it at the gate. Which was soooo nice! I also took our carseat with us (infant and toddler) and neither of them were damaged.
Positively,
M.
I have travelled a few times with our stroller by plane. It's not a Phil and Ted's but the reason I'm chiming in is that I didn't "pack" mine. I used it all the way up to boarding where they take it and then when you land it will be there ready as soon as you step out of the plane's door. It's really nice to have the stroller in the airport and I believe that they don't throw them around like they do our lugguage. They might even put them somewhere different since they are ready for use as soon as the plane lands it seems. Long story short, I would take your nice stroller and check it at the gate.
I'm a mom of a 13 month old boy.
I don't have a Phil & Teds, but I have a double Urban Mountain Buggy (double wide) and it is huge. I took it to Hawaii a few days after we bought it. I called the airline ahead and asked if I could gate check it. They said yes, but when we acutally got there, they ended up putting it through with the bags. I was not pleased, but the stroller survived. It was nice to have it there as my husband and I would walk about 4 miles each morning with our kids. If you do end up taking your Phil & Teds, deflate the tires about 1/3 of the way (you will still be able to use it in the airport) so your tires don't explode due to the pressure. Bring a hand pump along to pump them up again when you arrive at your destination.
I took mine on a trip to Hawaii. I was worried it would get damaged, but I really wanted to have it on my trip so I could push the two kids around. On the first flight I checked it in and it arrived just fine. I gate checked it on the second flight and it got LOST but returned to me safely. Later it fell down an escalator (dont worry, no kids were in it) and then I checked it all the way home and it got lost again but found again. It arrived safely back home in perfect condition. My point is that this stroller is VERY sturdy and can handle a little beating just fine. I was so glad I had it with me!
