Has anyone ever successfully gate checked a chariot (double) bike trailer as their stroller
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Anonymous
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The size is similar to a double jogging stroller, we are flying to Europe with 2 kids and thought this might be a good option for getting through customs/passport control at what will feel like 2 am to,the kids. This way they might be able to sleep through the line and we don't need to buy a second umbrella stroller which would really be too small for our older child. Also the umbrella strollers don't handle as smoothly and we will have multiple carry one to be shuffling along, so it would free up hands
The question is, will an inline actually allow it? |
Anonymous
| Airline not inline |
Anonymous
| Does it fold? |
Anonymous
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I have a double chariot and it is beast. It will likely not fit into any shops or restaurants. If you only want it for the airport, then maybe that is ok, but I wouldn't think of using it for touring around Europe.
Can you put the younger child in a carrier and the older child in a single stroller for the airport? How old is the older child? Will he need a stroller that much? FYI, I live in the UK and only use my chariot for walks or bike rides. |
Anonymous
Yes, we would only use it in the airport, kids are 4 and 6- so really both too big for using a stroller anymore, definitely too big for a carrier, but the circumstances as they are it seems like the best possible option for passport control line. We are actually moving, so we will have maximum luggage allowance, planning to move the chariot because we won't have a car and are not sure how close we will end up to shops and parks, so planning to use it with the bike around town. If we bring our uppa baby or 2 umbrellas (we currently only own 1 umbrella) we'd end up getting rid of them after the move, the chariot we intend to keep - and then I could craigslist the strollers state side and not bother with bringing them/ buying an extra. Also 6 yo is over weight limit for uppa ... I just can't fathom asking them to stand in line after what little sleep they will get on the flight at time of day their bodies thinks is 2 am. |
Anonymous
Yes it folds /collapses flat It is designed width wise to be able to access anywhere a wheel chair can go when fully assembled, but I think folded, a wheel chair is more compact. |
Anonymous
| I think that would be pushing it (forgive the pun) - those things are huge. If you must have a stroller for both kids, I think 2 umbrellas would be your best bet. |
Anonymous
| Kids are 4 and 6? I say just have them walk. |
Anonymous
| I find it odd that you woudl even want to bring such a monstrosity with you. I also have the Chariot and use it just for runs/bike rides. I can't imagine lugging it overseas. |
Anonymous
| Seems like a big hassle for just the airport, especially given that you're risking damaging your Chariot. I also think that Heathrow is one of the airports where gate checked items come out at baggage claim, so it wouldn't help with customs. You should look into that. |
Anonymous
We traveled to the UK last summer with our kids then aged 3 and 6 and didn't have a stroller at all. It sounds like a massive pain to deal with a very small problem. They were obviously tired, but super excited and happy to stand in line. The walk from the plane to immigration was more daunting in my view, but they did that just fine too. |
Anonymous
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I keep a little bit of candy in my purse for whiny tired kids in immigration lines.
I also bring a bungee or another kind of clip so I can attach the kid's carry on to mine, if needed. |
Anonymous
| 6 years old in a stroller? Seriously? |
Anonymous
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We moved overseas two years ago, when our kids were 4 & 6. Very glad we ditched all the strollers before moving. It's hard enough toting around carseats/boosters, should you end up hiring a car. We've flown a lot in the past two years, all over the world. My kids hate being awake in the middle of "their" night, but it's been doable. In one country we flew into, customs took its sweet time even opening a service window, so the kids sat down on their booster seats and managed a nap up against the wall. I was jealous.
One of the strollers we owned was a double chariot. I can understand wanting to have it if you're moving somewhere bike-able (we certainly didn't) and your kids can't ride bikes or scooters along with you on your bike. I was never brave enough to gate check our chariot on domestic flights. A lady I know did gate check hers when moving from Alaska to Hawaii--so it can be done. I'd bring some bungee cords to wrap around it once you've folded it. |
Anonymous
| I travel a lot and see kids in immigration lines all the time doing just fine. It's pretty normal. Some people have the carry ons that kids sit on and can be pulled, although a 6 year old is probably way too big for that. I am in England now and they had a family lane in immigration so families were getting through very quickly. |