Cheating with infant car seat/stroller?
Dec 24, 2014, 6:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: CX, AF, UA
Posts: 214
Cheating with infant car seat/stroller?
Most airlines (all that I know of) do not have particular size or weight restrictions on the car seat or stroller you can check-in for your infant.
I was wondering if anyone had experience, or thoughts, on "cheating" with checked-in car seats/strollers. Here is our thinking: for protection, we'd put the car seat in its original box, and safety wrap the box at the airport. Inside the box there is plenty of "empty" space. Has anyone ever filled up that space with more clothing/useful items? What was the result?
I was wondering if anyone had experience, or thoughts, on "cheating" with checked-in car seats/strollers. Here is our thinking: for protection, we'd put the car seat in its original box, and safety wrap the box at the airport. Inside the box there is plenty of "empty" space. Has anyone ever filled up that space with more clothing/useful items? What was the result?
Dec 24, 2014, 9:38 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Silver, HHDmd, MBvLTPLT, PCAmb/Dmd, HYT Dis
Posts: 1,579
We check our car seat in a generic brand version of this.
I often put extra stuff in there. Usually just a bag with blankets or dirty clothes and the purpose is more for extra protection of the car seat vs. cheating the weight rules. But there have been trips where we took shoes, diapers/wipes, or other heavier items from other bags and put them in there to get those bags under the weight limits. Usually the car seat plus whatever I add is still under 50 lbs by a lot; no one has ever checked what it inside.
I often put extra stuff in there. Usually just a bag with blankets or dirty clothes and the purpose is more for extra protection of the car seat vs. cheating the weight rules. But there have been trips where we took shoes, diapers/wipes, or other heavier items from other bags and put them in there to get those bags under the weight limits. Usually the car seat plus whatever I add is still under 50 lbs by a lot; no one has ever checked what it inside.
Dec 27, 2014, 8:18 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 702
Doesn't everybody? 😄 It was actually a framed backpack carrier in the gate checked bag but same concept. We took the car seat on the plane and I always wondered if the gate agent would question why we were gay checking a car seat bag but no one ever did.
For reasons of convenience and brand loyalty (my son had allegery issues) I always took enough diapers, wipes and dry snacks for the trip.
Like others mentioned, the bag is a great place for bulky coats. I also put a couple of changes of clothing for him and one set for us as well in case our checked luggage got lost. Large ziplocks work well for keeping items tidy and organized.
For reasons of convenience and brand loyalty (my son had allegery issues) I always took enough diapers, wipes and dry snacks for the trip.
Like others mentioned, the bag is a great place for bulky coats. I also put a couple of changes of clothing for him and one set for us as well in case our checked luggage got lost. Large ziplocks work well for keeping items tidy and organized.