American Airlines and the Lost Stroller
Jun 21, 2014, 10:47 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
Easy to say but there are two factors. Some of the expensive ones are sturdier and won't damage as easily (not all but...)
The other problem is sometimes you need a decent stroller at your destination. It can be a pain to travel with a piece of junk, just because of the flight itself.
I tried to borrow a stroller at my destination whenever possible but it really depended on where we were going and what kind of trip it was.
The other problem is sometimes you need a decent stroller at your destination. It can be a pain to travel with a piece of junk, just because of the flight itself.
I tried to borrow a stroller at my destination whenever possible but it really depended on where we were going and what kind of trip it was.
of money if it's damaged.
Jun 22, 2014, 2:47 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: France
Programs: United Plus
Posts: 1,761
I tend to agree but so many parents claim that their child is only comfortable in the expensive one. They worry that cobblestone streets, etc. will not work with a cheaper stroller. They want to jog while on vacation so insist on taking the jogging stroller...
Jun 22, 2014, 9:43 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Aberdeenshire
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,008
We have a Maclaren Techno XT that we purchased in 2006 for the birth of our first. 8 years and 4 babies later it's still going strong. We bought it because it can transport an infant from birth (i.e. the seat goes fully flat), and is an umbrella stroller. It's been on many airlines to many countries and is still going strong.
Jun 23, 2014, 7:52 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
I find that I am more comfortable with a more expensive stroller, as the umbrella strollers at Walgreens seem to be made for people who are about 5'6" (and I'm 6'4"). I usually bring a MacLaren that we received as a gift (used) and it works very well, but I accept that we may end up losing it by checking it at the gate.
Jun 24, 2014, 2:17 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 948
We gate-checked the stroller on our flight out of DFW on AA and then were told that they didn't have room for it (or other strollers) on our flight. When we got to our destination, AA had no clue as to what would happen. After several days, they called to say that they found it. But what showed up was the bottom half - they had only tagged the lower part. They they demanded a trip to the airport to fill out a claim with the original receipt. They will let us know in about ten weeks what they will do. Lesson:
1. American Airlines is bankrupt for good reasons - one of them is their poor service.
2. Always have tags on every part of a stroller.
3. Try to insist that the gate-checked item go on the flight because the infant needs to be in it at the other end.
4. Choose an airline that is not currently bankrupt.
1. American Airlines is bankrupt for good reasons - one of them is their poor service.
2. Always have tags on every part of a stroller.
3. Try to insist that the gate-checked item go on the flight because the infant needs to be in it at the other end.
4. Choose an airline that is not currently bankrupt.
Jun 29, 2014, 9:37 am
#37
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Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
Jun 29, 2014, 10:41 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
Jun 29, 2014, 11:17 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 948
That would mean pack your two piece stroller which you know may fall apart into a bag before checking it in. Or pack it with something, around here strollers are usually packed in a heavy duty plastic bag.
Jun 29, 2014, 11:43 am
#40
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
That's not practical. One of the most important purposes of the stroller is to help get around the airport.
Jun 29, 2014, 12:35 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 948
Well, it doesn't exactly strike me as practical to lose part of a stroller either because it wasn't attached so I guess it's up to everyone to decide what is practical for them.
Jul 5, 2014, 12:13 am
#42
Suspended
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Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
Those plastic bags may help reduce the likelihood of the stroller parts disappearing without a sight; and they may help reduce the likelihood of the stroller getting dirty from whatever it would otherwise contact. That said, risk of non-cosmetic damage to the stroller is not going to be reduced enough (if at all) by a heavy duty plastic bag for that to really warrant choosing to take an expensive stroller or not.
Jul 7, 2014, 12:14 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
I've traveled with a City Mini quite extensively, and it's sturdy enough yet fairly simple in terms of moving parts, such that I haven't yet had it damaged. Judging by its exterior, it's been tossed around pretty good, too.
That said, we've recently switched to traveling with a $20 Babies R Us umbrella stroller and it's every bit as useful, without any concern for damage, and with the added bonus of light weight and maneuverability. The only "accessory" I've added is a bungee cord to keep it shut while folded, since it doesn't lock.
That said, we've recently switched to traveling with a $20 Babies R Us umbrella stroller and it's every bit as useful, without any concern for damage, and with the added bonus of light weight and maneuverability. The only "accessory" I've added is a bungee cord to keep it shut while folded, since it doesn't lock.
Jul 7, 2014, 2:04 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 133
So far we've done all our traveling with an uppababy vista. It's huge, but we bought the case for it, and the whole thing packs into the case. We generally pack the main seat into the bag for going through the airport, leaving the carseat on the stroller. The bag with seat fits on the bottom of the stroller for going through the airport, along with diaper bag, etc. It's large but makes life very easy once we are at our destination as we can fit diaper bag, food, bottles, etc in the underpart of the stroller.
I imagine getting through the airport with umbrella stroller is a much bigger PITA - have to carry the carseat separately, as well as diaper bag, etc. Am I crazy?
I imagine getting through the airport with umbrella stroller is a much bigger PITA - have to carry the carseat separately, as well as diaper bag, etc. Am I crazy?
Jul 7, 2014, 2:19 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
So far we've done all our traveling with an uppababy vista. It's huge, but we bought the case for it, and the whole thing packs into the case. We generally pack the main seat into the bag for going through the airport, leaving the carseat on the stroller. The bag with seat fits on the bottom of the stroller for going through the airport, along with diaper bag, etc. It's large but makes life very easy once we are at our destination as we can fit diaper bag, food, bottles, etc in the underpart of the stroller.
I imagine getting through the airport with umbrella stroller is a much bigger PITA - have to carry the carseat separately, as well as diaper bag, etc. Am I crazy?
I imagine getting through the airport with umbrella stroller is a much bigger PITA - have to carry the carseat separately, as well as diaper bag, etc. Am I crazy?