Travel related -- checking carseat

We're going to Fla. this weekend with DD and we have to bring her carseat and a stroller. I have one of those carseat travel bags that I was going to use to check the carseat and then just keep the stroller with us until we get to the plane, then gate check the stroller. But now I'm getting nervous about checking the carseat. I'm afraid it might get damaged, being thrown around with all the other luggage. A friend just told me also that you have to sign a waiver, releasing the airline of any liability if the carseat does get damaged.

Now I'm thinking of getting one of those things that the carseat can clip onto and then roll, and roll her around the airport in that and check that at the gate, but then what do I do with the stroller?

I really didn't want to spend the money on one of those Sit 'n Stroll seats, because we don't go away that often, and I want to have a regular stroller for her for when we get to Fla.

Also, the week after next I'm going to NC without DH and will have nobody to help me carry things in the airport.

Ugghhh, this is becoming a much bigger hassle than I thought it would be. I know I'm making a big deal out of it, but I just don't know what is the best way to juggle it all.

Any ideas, suggestions, experience?

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

I dont travel with a car seat now as DD still sits on our laps and to be honest I dont take the car seat with us as I dont want it getting damaged in cargo. We just hire a car with a car seat when we get to our destination. Do you have to take her carseat - how old is she?

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

Does she have a ticket for her own seat? We bring the carseat on the plane, since it is so much safer to have her in her own carseat in her own seat than having her on our lap. Plus, when you get the rental car, you know how old the car seat is, who's used it, it has never been damaged, etc.

On our last trip, I put the carseat upside down over a wheeled carry-on bag. That way, I could wheel it around without needing additional equipment. We had two carseats in this photo, so the 2nd one I had to carry as a backpack, but you can see the purple carseat on the carry-on bag in the pile of stuff we had to bring....

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Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

We have the same exact situation. We leave for Florida on August 16th. We also bought the carseat bag. I am going to hold the carseat bag on my back (it has a strap) through the airport and putting DD in the stroller. We will check the luggage but NOT the carseat & stroller. I will check both at the gate. This way they will be the last in & the first out. Hopefully this will reduce damages to both.

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

The last time we flew with her we did not buy her a seat but since we were renting a car once we go to Fl we wanted to bring her car seat.
We called to see how full the flight was and they told us there would be a good chance that she could have a seat and if not we would gate check the seat. I also bought one of the bags and since it has wheels it made bringing the carseat easier. We got lucky and she got a seat. With gate checking it should be fine and not get damaged.

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

I've checked in the carseat before and never had any problems. I personally don't like using the carseats from rental companies. You never know how clean they are. I rented on once when we flew into Islip and it was gross. I ended up taking a recieving blanket, laying it over the seat then cutting holes in it to pull the staps through.

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

have you thought of shipping it to your hotel for when you arrive there? That is if you have a seat for DC to get to the airport in...

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

I didn't buy her a seat, I'm hoping there will be an open one. I do need her carseat to get from the airport to the hotel, so I don't think shipping it would help, but that is a good idea. I think I'm leaning towards gate checking both.

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

If you are renting a car you can also rent the seat...

Re: Travel related -- checking carseat

I just recently travelled & used the rolly for the car seat- i pulled her through the air port in that & I checked the stroller (i put it in my DH's golf travel bag- it worked out great).