buggies

[ThingOne]

I'm travelling to Stockholm via Amsterdam this weekend with DH, 3 yr old and 1 yr old but coming back next week on tod with smalls. I have a bad back and can't carry the baby (He can walk but not in a set direction {wink}).

I've seen that all buggies now need to go in the hold.

I've made a special request to the airline to get my buggy out at Amsterdam so I can manage the hour or so there. But I keep thinking of all the stories I've heard about people asking for their buggies and not getting them back until they get their luggage despite making special arrangements.

Anybody any tips as to how I actually get it back in Amsterdam? And then when I arrive home at Bristol too? I know I can't carry the baby from plane to luggage reclaim in Bristol.

So far I've been advised to speak to the ticket desk when we fly tomorrow morning but am eager for any tips from those more experienced at travelling with small children than me.

My experience of Bristol airport is that they didn't give my buggy back when we got off the aircraft, it was the last piece of baggage of the luggage carousel I was very glad I had my baby carrier with me. It was exactly the same at Toulouse airport, so I suspect it might be at Amsterdam, too. I would suggest that you request assistance, and make it clear that if you can't have you're buggy straight off the plane, you need someone to carry the baby for you. It might be worth asking the head cabin crew on the plane, as they might be able to grab your buggy off the baggage handlers for you, but it will probably depend on how sympathetic that individual is.

I meant to say, request assistance in advance. Actually, we requested assistance for MIL at Amsterdam to get her safely off one flight and on to her connection, and that worked - she got carried round the airport on one of those giant golf trolley things!