Anonymous wrote:20:29 are you always an asshole? fuck off.

No.

actually, one benefit of gate check is that, assuming you have a lap child, if there is an extra seat on the plane they might let you have it. we've booked aisle and window and gotten lucky with the middle, and were glad to have our car seat. that said, other than that I'd definitely just check with baggage.

20:29 are you always an asshole? fuck off.

Anonymous wrote:If you're not checking any other baggage, gate checking the carseat means you don't have to go through baggage claim--you should pick it up right as you deplane, with your stroller.

No, they should not charge you to check both the stroller and the carseat.

Gate checking does NOT guarantee you won't have to go to baggage claim. I've flown on USAirways at least ten times in the last month (unfortunately) and depending on the plane, the gate arrangement and the airport, you may very well pick up your gate checked luggage in baggage claim.

Have you ever gate checked lugagge on a rainy day? Look out the window? There it is, sitting on the tarmac in the rain until a baggage handler picks it up. Nothing like a nice soggy seat for your child upon arrival!

OP, schlep the seat thru the airport. Have a great day! No sense listening to experience when you've already made up your mind.

Oh, and thanks for holding up the boarding process for the rest of us who are smart enough to use the seat on the plane or checking the seat and using the Cares harness!

Have a very turbulent flight!

Anonymous wrote:If you're not checking any other baggage, gate checking the carseat means you don't have to go through baggage claim--you should pick it up right as you deplane, with your stroller.

Not always. I've gate-checked both on a trip, and though I was able to pick up the stroller at the arrival gate, the carseat was handled as oversize baggage and I had to pick it up at baggage claim. Unless you're bringing the carseat on board to use, don't go through the hassle of lugging it through the airport - check it with your baggage.

No charge, and less chance of it breaking. Much safer to bring the carseat on the plane though.

If you're not checking any other baggage, gate checking the carseat means you don't have to go through baggage claim--you should pick it up right as you deplane, with your stroller.

No, they should not charge you to check both the stroller and the carseat.

Anonymous wrote:If you gate check it, do you think they take special care of it? They don't. They just throw it in with the rest of the baggage. Many times you can pick it up as you get off the plane, but with some planes and airports, you pick it up with the rest of the baggage.

If you're not using the car seat on the plane (and of course you should be), all you're doing by gate checking it is making your trip through the airport miserable.

It gets better care if you check it when you check the rest of your baggage. At least that way they will throw it into a plastic bag.

If you check it at the gate it doesn't even get that, so it is in there thrown in with all the other luggage, with no plastic bag or anything.

I prefer the counter check for car seats, especially if it is a nice one.

If you gate check it, do you think they take special care of it? They don't. They just throw it in with the rest of the baggage. Many times you can pick it up as you get off the plane, but with some planes and airports, you pick it up with the rest of the baggage.

If you're not using the car seat on the plane (and of course you should be), all you're doing by gate checking it is making your trip through the airport miserable.

Unless you are talking about a snap and go set up, check it with baggage. There's no reason to do otherwise.

Check it with your baggage. You will thank us.

i prefer to gate check it if possible.

Why on earth would you lug your car seat all the way to the gate if you aren't going to use it on the plane?

Check it when you check the rest of your baggage.

The less you take to the gate the better, especially when you are travelling with small children.

can i gate check both my stroller and car seat? do i have to pay to gate check second item?