Originally Posted by
gobluetwo
Note that damage can occur and many will advise against checking car seats. You can also carry to the gate and gate check, or (if your child has his/her own seat), carry it on and use it for the child. When checking in the past, we've always put it in a heavy duty canvas bag, but they do also provide those clear plastic bags at the ticketing counters. More than anything, it's to protect the car seat against dirt/grime, not physical damage.
The Travel with Children subforum advised me to gatecheck car seats, so that's what I did. Worked like a charm everytime on both RJs and UA mainline jets.
I'm not sure exactly how delicately gatechecked items get handled, but our car seat and snap stroller has come out looking fine every time.