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Original poster

Heathrow Airport

20 replies

ooohbollocks · 25/05/2010 06:00

We are coming back to the UK. As I have airmiles, I will be on a different flight to my husband and DS aged 2.

Last time we came back we were promised our buggy as soon as we got off the aircraft when we landed - we were assured that it would be waiting for us at the gate - was it hell - it was half way to Edinburgh!

We then had to carry our son who was 1 at the time for almost 2 hours through immigration etc until we could put him down in the domestic lounge. It was a nightmare.

So my husband is travelling this time alone and my son is now 2. No way can he be carried for that long - especially as my husband will have to look after our son and have hand luggage too.

Should I request assistance for him on arrival? When we arrived in terminal 5 last year there were no airport buggies available.

Any suggestions? Yes, I know DS is perfectly capable of walking but Heathrow at 5 am with all the longhaul flights coming in is so busy there is no way he could be left to walk. Plus the distance is too great.

OP posts:
juststrudel · 25/05/2010 07:35

TBH I don't really know what assistance you are expecting. Yes I know toddlers are tricky but I think if you have low expectations you'll be fine. You are just going to have to take it slowly and go at your son's pace. In reality it is just a short amount of time in your holiday.

mumoverseas · 25/05/2010 10:34

sadly, you've find out that all(most?) airlines lie about you getting the buggy back at the gate. I've had it happen twice probably out of hundreds of flights.
We recently bought (on ebay so relatively cheap) a quinny folding buggy (can't remember the exact make) it is about the only buggy you can actually take on board with you that folds up quite small into its own bag. I'm sure someone will come along and confirm which type it is or perhaps you could post a thread on the pushchairs section.

I know how awful it is. we are flying back to the UK next month (assuming BA have stopped playing silly buggers by then) and I'm definitely taking the buggy hand luggage with my toddler and 3 year old. Like you say, its a bloody long walk.

You could try booking special assistance but they don't always let you. My friend got it last week but she was travelling HUGELY pregnant on her own with a (very hyperactive) 2 year old and 4 year old

Good luck

amidaiwish · 25/05/2010 10:41

the Quinny Zapp folds up small enough to take on board in a bag.

mumoverseas · 25/05/2010 11:25

thats the one

Original poster
ooohbollocks · 25/05/2010 12:09

Will have a look but someone has also told me about the quicksmart stroller too. Thanks guys.

OP posts:
mumoverseas · 25/05/2010 12:11

ooh, haven't heard of that one.

Kewcumber · 25/05/2010 12:14

buy a sling suitable for a two year old or a hip seat - should be able to carry him fine then.

Kewcumber · 25/05/2010 12:14

I should say thats what I did travlling with 14 month DS and managed hand luggage too.

bran · 25/05/2010 12:15

Can you buy Trunkis where you are? They are reasonably good for pulling a child along, but obviously not great for sleepy children.

Kiwinyc · 25/05/2010 13:53

Its not up to the airline, its the airport that makes it possible to deliver your buggy back to the gate. Some airports can do it, most don't.

I would buy an ergo and carry him on your back. The ergo folds up to fit into your hand luggage and is very comfortable for both them and you.

Just practise a bit with it beforehand, and if you can't get him onto your back by yourself (a bit tricky but perfectly possible with practise) I'm sure someone on the plane would help you get him into the sling)

I've done many airline trips with babies and toddlers and always travelled with a baby bjorn or an ergo to get through immigration and customs instead of relying on having a stroller when getting off the plane.

amidaiwish · 25/05/2010 19:22

sorry bran, but to your point i really hate dd's trunki
nightmare to pull unless dc very willing and co-operative
quite heavy to carry (even empty)
straps cut into your hand and closures break every nail
and if you do decide to check it in it has to go down outsize baggage due to dimensions! = double queuing. (can you tell i have had a bad experience?!!)

mumoverseas · 26/05/2010 05:43

Have to agree, I hate trunkis too. When the little darlings are tired you end up carrying them and the damm trunki!

BudaisintheZONE · 26/05/2010 05:58

Heathrow is one of the few airports that don't bring the buggy to the plane. The poor little darlings are not insured to carry the buggies up the steps apparently. As I was crossly told once when I refused to disembark without my buggy being brought to the plane. Cue grumpy man telling me "Here - I am not insured to carry this you know".

Sofia airport - buggy to plane
Budapest airport = buggy to plane
Dublin airport - buggy to plane
Bangkok airport - buggy to plane
Prague airport - buggy to plane
Ho Chih Minh city - buggy to plane
Istanbul airport - buggy to plane
And lots more I can't remember now.

Just stupid UK Elf and Safety crap. Rant rant.

Original poster
ooohbollocks · 26/05/2010 06:05

I will be purchasing either a quinny zapp or a quicksmart from ebay. Quite like the zapp as the wheels come off too.

Thanks you

OP posts:
Downdog · 27/05/2010 12:50

I got caught out by the new buggy 'policy' at Heathrow earlier this year too - with a sleeping 2 year old, arriving into T3 after 26 hours travelling. Luckily I had packed the sling in my hand luggage (hadn't used it the entire trip) and I could take DD in sling (she stayed sleeping) and I had to manage hand luggage, duty free etc on my own. Everywhere else we got buggy at gate so not having it really caught me by suprise. Heathrow's status as my least favorite airport in the world was confirmed that day.

I was clearly struggling, and had been very unwell during my flight, but was offered no assistance at all once off the plane. I was snapped at when I asked about the buggy. In hindsight I should have asked for help esp as we were at the furtherest gate possible, but I just struggled on & nearly did myself in.

Downdog · 27/05/2010 12:53

oh - seems policy isn't new - just new to me

agree with comment on every other airport I've ever been to bringing buggies to gate.

When I LEFT Heathrow I was allowed to take buggy to gate - so would expect the same on return. They should let you know very clearly it's one way traffic

Downdog · 27/05/2010 12:54

oh - seems policy isn't new - just new to me

agree with comment on every other airport I've ever been to bringing buggies to gate.

When I LEFT Heathrow I was allowed to take buggy to gate - so would expect the same on return. They should let you know very clearly it's one way traffic

mrsgordonfreeman · 27/05/2010 12:59

I got my buggy at the gate at heathrow three weeks ago. However I was told at the departure airport, Newark, that it would be at baggage claim. Virgin were very nice about retrieving it. I used a sling to take dd to the gate.

Original poster
ooohbollocks · 07/06/2010 05:08

I bought a quicksmart for our recent trip to Cairns last week. Fantastic little thing so we're sorted for Heathrow!

OP posts:
mumoverseas · 07/06/2010 05:39

very at trip to Cairns. Have been wanting to go back for 18 years

Good luck on your journey. Fingers crossed we will be going to LHR soon, subject to BA

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