are gate check bags necessary?

I am flying for the first time in 3 weeks and wondering if we should buy the duffle bag type things to protect our stroller and car seat when checking them at the airport?

Also, can you gate check both or is it better to check the car seat when checking in and the stroller at the gate?

Thanks!

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Some people will say no, I personally say yes. We have a gate bag that is has little holes in it and scuffed up. If we hadn't had that bag on our strollers, they would have been damaged.

Worth the $10 (I think) investment for us.

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

We got the bags and am happy we did. One of them (either the carseat or the stroller) had a mark on the bag from where it was dragged or maybe rubbed against something. I'm happy it's on the bag and NOT on our carseat/stroller.

Also, they are VERY rough with everything and I can easily see things getting ripped. I'd rather have the bag as a first line of defense.

We gate checked because I feel that it gets handled much less that way and won't get bumped around as much as if you check it in at the curb or counter.

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

I saw yes - both times we flew we used a bag and it was dirty but the stroller was safe. I can tell you that both times (jet blue and delta) we flew on the way out people were complaining on the gangway of holes in the material on their strollers, black tar like spots and even gashes in the canopy or seat.

Think about how they throw things around and how your bags are treated - they don't treat the strollers or car seats any better.

Message edited 9/20/2011 5:26:21 PM.

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

I say yes it's worth it. We flew in July and it was pouring rain outside. When we got off the plane, there was a woman flying who didn't have a gate bag and her DDs stroller was SOAKED! By the time they took it off the plane & carried it up to the gate, the thing was drenched & the little girl couldn't sit in it. Ours was totally dry because we got the waterproof bag. Definitely worth it.

We held onto both his car seat & stroller until we literally walked onto the plane.

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Nope! 2 brand new carseats and 2 city mini strollers in perfect condition jet blue, no bags gate checked

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

I did not use them, but I should have! I flew with my DD when she was 6 months old with a stroller system (with carseat & base). (Also was on JetBlue) Well, that stuff got banged up! Especially at the Tampa airport.
After we exited the airplane, we had to wait for the gate checked items to come up on this elevator lift thing. Everyone waiting was watching the airport baggage employees down by the plane literally throwing and shoving the strollers & carseats into this elevator lift thing to bring them up to us. My stroller was dirty and had scuff marks all over it! I had to wipe everything down before I put her in it.

SO... I would definitely get the bags! Because even if they get thrown around, at least they won't be dirty!

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Well this wasn't my original post, but I'm flying next month and was wondering about the bag myself - thanks to you ladies I will be making the purchase!!

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Yes! Not just b.c they protect your stuff. When we went to Aruba we put ours in a bag that had our name on it. Two other families had the same umbrella stroller and they got switched. When we grabbed ours another fam said the stroller at the gate wasnt theirs so they had to find the people that took their stroller by mistake,

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Not necessary, but I would highly recommend them. With the car seat bag, you can also pack extra stuff in there

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

I'm so happy I saw this post, we're flying soon and I never heard of these bags! I was skeeved out about the baggage handlers touching our carseat/stroller and also worried about them getting damaged. I never knew they sold bags for this! Where do you get them?

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

Re: are gate check bags necessary?

also onestepahead.com has them!