The problem is that 20lbs is NOT a reasonable weight limit for strollers, especially parents flying with twins and closely-spaced children.

Tons of strollers are just slightly over 20lbs, fold completely down and easily can go through a metal dectector. AF tried to get me to check my Sit & Stroll, claiming it didn't fit. I had flown with it many times and the darned thing was designed for air travel...

I can understand that they don't want those huge chariots arriving at the gate but 20lbs?!? So many strollers are just over that limit. 25lbs would be much more reasonable.

At least they could do 20lbs per child!

Also, gate-checking takes next to no time. The parents are given the tags at the counter and then they only have to leave the stroller on the jetway, or at the bottom of the stairs. You could say that they then take up more time at check-in, but they would whether they were gate or counter checking the stroller anyway.

Most airlines already stipulate that the gate-checked stroller has to be fully folding. In Germany and Scandinavian countries, they have these massive vehicles for their tots that sometimes are used as cribs as well. They do a lot of walking and want a smooth ride for their tot. I had a big German double stroller but it never came anywhere near an airport. It was nice for the park and walking to school but definitely not a convenient item for travel!