Strollers and airports.

This is really early but i figured y'all would know best.

We are flying next january to my parents place, we have one connection in toronto canada, the babies will be 11 months old, and we'll have a nearly 8 yr old and a 3.5 yr old.

My question is we're debating whether to take our stroller (a combi twin) for in the airport, or whether to use hip carrier's for the babies.

Has anyone taken a "bigger" stroller and gate checked it? Did it get damaged? My biggest concern is it getting wrecked, I don't fancy spending another $200 on a stroller if it gets wrecked.

 

I was really glad we had ours, BUT we did bring the old beat up snap and go. You can purchase large bags to put the stroller in - I would highly recommend that if your stroller is new. The airlines are far from gentle with things like that, from what I saw.

 

We brought out twin stroller that has the sit and stand for a third and took it all the way to the gate. I wouldn't have done it any other way.

 

We have used the Combi SBS to get them to the gate every time. I think you will want it when you have to go through security and just getting from point A to point B in a timely, easy manner.

 

I have gate checked my combi stroller at least 7 times. It is so easy to have a spot for all your stuff in the airport.

 

I would recommend taking a stroller and gate-checking it - when we went to the UK it was so much easier than using carriers. If the stroller is too large they sometimes won't gate check so I would check with your airline.

 

I gate checked our Duoglider in January and I can't imagine doing without it. The even had is opened up for me when we got off the plane! One suggestion I had (and I'm not sure if this will apply to the Combi) is to take off any removable pieces. I packed (yes in my suitcase) the snack tray and left the front canopy at home.

 

I would definitely take it and gate check it. I gate checked ours and it was fine, no damage.

 

Thanks muchly, you helped make up my mind and change dh's! I wanted to take it, he was hesitant, but I think we will take it in the end! We'll take the hip carrier's for a "change of scenery", for the twins, but take the stroller as well!

The airline recommends "umbrella" strollers, but I figure the combi is like taking 2 umbrella stroller's, isn't it? It's big but not as big as some stroller's! I'll probably call them closer to time to make sure!

 

Last week we gate-checked our Maclaren Twin Traveller on United (once each way) and it was fine. The ground crew definitely aren't gentle with things (we were watching them unload another plane while we were waiting to board, and I saw a guy pretty much throw a stroller up the stairway to the gate), but your stroller can probably take it. It will help if there's a way to fasten it shut (the Maclaren latches up), or else use bungee cords or something.

 

Yeah Minette I noticed just the other day the plastic latch on the combi isn't staying as tight as it should, so I'll definetly either take wire ties to close it or bungee cords or something!

 

we brought ours and gate checked it, but it was inside a padded travel bag. we used our baby bjorns inside the airport. if you don't need the stroller at your destination, i wouldn't bother to bring it since the baby bjorns are easier.