Travel with Children - handling luggage and a stroller

Hi :)
I am flying FLL to DEN. I am going with my 2 girls alone. They will be in a double stroller. I was wondering how I would be able to handle my luggage and a double stroller. My husband (who isn't traveling with us) will help at FLL. But I am not sure who can help at DEN airport. I am having a car service pick me up from the airport. I called the airport and they weren't that helpful. They transfered me to Frontier and she wasn't that clear either. They did mention they have scouts and I could let the gate person know that I would need help and they would get a scout. I was wondering if that is reliable? I *could* pay the car service $50 to help me but that is a little pricey. So I was hoping someone here would give me some insight to my options.
Thank you!!

How old are your twins?

It's not possible to have someone come to the airport and help you themselves, I deducted.

When you get to baggage claim, can the driver come in to help you anyway? If you load the stuff on the cart and put the twins in the stroller, would the driver really charge $50 just to push the cart a few yards to the car??

If your girls are old enough to walk, than that is solved. Pile the stroller on to the cart and have them walk besides you, even if you go a little slow until you find your driver.

If they are under age 2, remember that you will need at least one car seat for one of them. You can't have two lap babies and you have to buy at least two tickets. A good baby carrier can help if one is having trouble or is too tired to walk OR you need one of the seats in the double stroller to transport the car seats.

They aren't twins. I have a 5 years old (she is a stroller kind of girl) and a 2 year old. I found out that the airline I am traveling on has a service that may be able to help. But good idea to put the stroller on the cart just incase that doesn't work out. From what I heard about this airport I will have to go up and elevator so it may take me a LONG time but at least I have a back up plan.
Thank you!

I never have needed a service, even to get through Customs and Immigration after long haul international flights with three closely spaced children. For a domestic flight, the walk will be even shorter and you only have two. I used to have my 5 year old push the younger one in a single stroller (whether she can push the double depends on the model you have). I would just load it all on board and walk it, even if it takes a bit more time.

You're not flying AA, are you? If so, be aware of their draconian stroller policy-20lbs maximum. Your double is probably too heavy. Other companies are fine.

Every time I've had a car service pick me up from the airport (LGA, EWR, ORD), the driver has always offered to take my suitcase for me. If the driver is waiting for you landside holding up a sign with your name, you can just tell him you have to retrieve your bag(s) from baggage claim. I'd guess he'd be more than willing to help you in order to get a better tip.

Is the $50 an add-on fee that the car service charges for helping with luggage? That's highway robbery, imo.

Hi :)
I am flying FLL to DEN. I am going with my 2 girls alone. They will be in a double stroller. I was wondering how I would be able to handle my luggage and a double stroller. My husband (who isn't traveling with us) will help at FLL. But I am not sure who can help at DEN airport. I am having a car service pick me up from the airport. I called the airport and they weren't that helpful. They transfered me to Frontier and she wasn't that clear either. They did mention they have scouts and I could let the gate person know that I would need help and they would get a scout. I was wondering if that is reliable? I *could* pay the car service $50 to help me but that is a little pricey. So I was hoping someone here would give me some insight to my options.
Thank you!!

The less luggage you have the easier it tends to be other than in terms of in-flight entertainment. So less is better in some ways.

Check in all the luggage you can at FLL and minimize carry on luggage other than a backpack and whatever fits in it. DEN baggage claim area has porters.

If the two year old can be carried in a baby carrier you wear on your chest or back in conjunction with a backpack to be worn opposite the toddler carrier, it works for some.

Gate checked strollers delivered at the gate are great, but sometimes it can get messy and even complicate matters (like when it gets handled other than you expect. That is why an on-body baby carrier in a carry-on bag can be a small mercy.

Every time I've had a car service pick me up from the airport (LGA, EWR, ORD), the driver has always offered to take my suitcase for me. If the driver is waiting for you landside holding up a sign with your name, you can just tell him you have to retrieve your bag(s) from baggage claim. I'd guess he'd be more than willing to help you in order to get a better tip.

Is the $50 an add-on fee that the car service charges for helping with luggage? That's highway robbery, imo.

I guess the $50 is the going rate for airport forwarders?

I agree the fee sounds excessive..

I've had airport transfers pick me up, and load luggage.. and provide car seats in a transfer van for no charge..

The key is to load onto the luggage cart, somehow manage your luggage and kids to a vicinity where you can call in some help transfering to the vehicle.. and provide some tip for the service.. but nowhere's near $50..

..
When you get to baggage claim, can the driver come in to help you anyway? ...


Agree. IME drivers try to get my carryon as soon as they see me exiting secure area so i am sure yours will help you with getting luggage off carousel. Tip him some extra.

Agree. IME drivers try to get my carryon as soon as they see me exiting secure area so i am sure yours will help you with getting luggage off carousel. Tip him some extra.

Sure its possible to get a driver..

Its getting to someone or the driver that's the challenge is you've got bags and a couple of kids hanging onto mom.. especially when travelling alone with kids..

And leaving bags unsupervised is not a good idea or advisable at an airport..

Sure its possible to get a driver..

Its getting to someone or the driver that's the challenge is you've got bags and a couple of kids hanging onto mom.. especially when travelling alone with kids..

And leaving bags unsupervised is not a good idea or advisable at an airport..

I believe OP is on domestic flight so driver will be waiting in or before bag claim area.

I believe OP is on domestic flight so driver will be waiting in or before bag claim area.

For the FLL-DEN flight, baggage claim at DEN is indeed in an area that is accessible to porters and the general public.

I go to DEN frequently during ski season -- including with a lot of little tykes and plenty of ski equipment -- and the availability of porters there has fortunately been very good whenever I need it. I've had drivers meet me there too.

I believe OP is on domestic flight so driver will be waiting in or before bag claim area.

For the FLL-DEN flight, baggage claim at DEN is indeed in an area that is accessible to porters and the general public.

I go to DEN frequently during ski season -- including with a lot of little tykes and plenty of ski equipment -- and the availability of porters there has fortunately been very good whenever I need it. I've had drivers meet me there too.

Makes for a convenient and cheap transistion..

Porters charge an arm and a leg to transport bags from one end of the hall to another.. although I've had offers by Porters, whatever I think would be fair to pay them..

I don't take up these offers though, because if I don't pay market, then I feel like using individuals' charity unfairly..

Porters charge an arm and a leg to transport bags from one end of the hall to another..

Can't say that's been my experience with them at DEN when using their services at DEN, but then I've got enough checked items in tow that even if they were to get merely $1-$2 an item, they'd be making a pretty good hourly rate given a few quick trips with completely full carts and assistance with loading/unloading completed in under 30 minutes.

Can't say that's been my experience with them at DEN when using their services at DEN, but then I've got enough checked items in tow that even if they were to get merely $1-$2 an item, they'd be making a pretty good hourly rate given a few quick trips with completely full carts and assistance with loading/unloading completed in under 30 minutes.

I guess what's an arm and a leg to me, is simply standard fare for some of the flying gurus here on FT..

Imo.. I just don't see value in a porter that charged me $20 or $30, to take my bags accross the hall to flip the baggage onto the belt.. But maybe this was a one off experience, but I felt I didn't receive value for my money..