Checking a Stroller -- Odd Experience/Question
May 10, 2014 | 3:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United, Atmos, Delta
Posts: 199
Checking a Stroller -- Odd Experience/Question
Flew from LAX to MIA on American today, checked our stroller and a suitcase, and the suitcase, but not the stroller, made the flight (we were plenty early). Exact same thing happened to the family in front of us (stroller delayed, other bags came through). Flight wasn't particularly full. Any idea why? Something to do with strollers not counting as checked bags?
May 10, 2014 | 4:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS-TLV
Programs: Lots of them, no status
Posts: 1,319
Checking a Stroller -- Odd Experience/Question
Just a guess on my part, but I'd bet some other more fragile items didn't make it, Either. They'd probably have been the last things tone loaded, and perhaps that one final luggage cart never made it on for whatever reason.
I doubt they singled out strollers and left them behind simply because they are unpaid cargo. I could be wrong, though.
I doubt they singled out strollers and left them behind simply because they are unpaid cargo. I could be wrong, though.
May 11, 2014 | 2:57 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: France
Programs: United Plus
Posts: 1,761
Strollers, wheelchairs and other gate-checked items are loaded entirely differently than counter-checked bags. The gate-checked things are taken down from the jetway and loaded directly into the hold, vs. being sent on the conveyer belts under the airport.
My guess is that there was some sort of problem at the gate. Perhaps they were running short on time or it was an oversight. Maybe they had a new person working there that day? Logically, the gate-checked stuff has a better chance of making it than things checked at the counter but obviously, that's not always the case.
The only other factor is if it had been a very small plane, sometimes weights come into play. I ran into that on an inter-Caribbean flight. They were just too heavy. Since I was an airline employee, that volunteered my luggage for not making it, prioritizing the bags for paying customers. It arrived the next day.
My guess is that there was some sort of problem at the gate. Perhaps they were running short on time or it was an oversight. Maybe they had a new person working there that day? Logically, the gate-checked stuff has a better chance of making it than things checked at the counter but obviously, that's not always the case.
The only other factor is if it had been a very small plane, sometimes weights come into play. I ran into that on an inter-Caribbean flight. They were just too heavy. Since I was an airline employee, that volunteered my luggage for not making it, prioritizing the bags for paying customers. It arrived the next day.
May 11, 2014 | 10:02 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: IAD
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Posts: 2,378
May 11, 2014 | 3:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 707
Strollers, wheelchairs and other gate-checked items are loaded entirely differently than counter-checked bags. The gate-checked things are taken down from the jetway and loaded directly into the hold, vs. being sent on the conveyer belts under the airport.
My guess is that there was some sort of problem at the gate. Perhaps they were running short on time or it was an oversight. Maybe they had a new person working there that day? Logically, the gate-checked stuff has a better chance of making it than things checked at the counter but obviously, that's not always the case. .....
My guess is that there was some sort of problem at the gate. Perhaps they were running short on time or it was an oversight. Maybe they had a new person working there that day? Logically, the gate-checked stuff has a better chance of making it than things checked at the counter but obviously, that's not always the case. .....
Last edited by Eclipsepearl; May 12, 2014 at 5:07 am
May 12, 2014 | 5:11 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: France
Programs: United Plus
Posts: 1,761
If you're right, than it's just random. One bag makes it, the other gets lost...
Be aware that sometimes odd-shaped/sized items arrive in a different area. You've probably seen that with skis and golf clubs. The might cause a moment of panic and a few minutes of hunting down...
The last time this happened to me, three bags (luckily, returning home) went AWOL and Lufthansa was able to tell me were they were right away (Still in SFO). They arrived in pretty good shape and yes, they were delivered over the border. Poor driver got lost but luckily, my husband speaks German!