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Original poster

pushchairs and planes - advice needed!

26 replies

purplemonkeydishwasher · 29/03/2006 09:12

WE're going overseas in May and can't decide what to do about the pushchair situation.
We have a bugaboo frog which I would love to take with me. the trouble is that it folds down in 2 biggish pieces unless you take it all apart and put it in a bag (sold seperately of course!!). But we've got a layover and it would be really handy to have in the airport too.
So not sure if we should go out and buy a cheapo one or bring the frog.
DS will be 7 months BTW and sleeps in the pushchair quite a bit (which is one reason I like the frog, cause I can tilt it back for him to sleep)
Anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
lucy5 · 29/03/2006 09:16

I bought a lighteweight buggy when we used to fly with dd when she was little. The cargo crew can be a bit heavy handed with prams! If you buy a good quality one that tilts, you can use it when he gets older anyway. if your current pram is two pieces you would have to get bungy cords to make sure that both pieces arrive together.

desperatehousewife · 29/03/2006 09:21

Have always taken a bog standard Mclaren with me when going on hols - as long as it reclines they are small and lightweight enough for travelling. Highly recommend buying a cheap and cheerful little buggy. My DS is nearly 4 and i'm still going to take it away with us this summer so he can have a kip when things all get too much at the airport!!

mythumbelinas · 29/03/2006 09:25

Maybe you should call the airline and ask if they allow you to take the pushchair straight onto the plane with you (then take your frog), or if you have to check it in as luggage (buy a cheap one)
I have been on long haul flights where they allow you to take your pushchair onto the plane and you can fold it up for them to put to the side safely.

alicemama · 29/03/2006 09:26

I've just rang first choice about what pram I can take on the flight and she says as long as it folds down to a reasonable size you can take whatever pushchair you like. I plan to take a pram as we're off to florida and I feel it will offer far more protection from the sun than a stroller. But as said before baggage handlers can be rough and its likely to get scratched.

fairydust · 29/03/2006 09:27

for the price of a new buggy i'd buy the protector bag for it.

Original poster
purplemonkeydishwasher · 29/03/2006 11:55

thanks everyone. I'll phone the airlineS today. I'm sure each one will be different!

OP posts:
Original poster
purplemonkeydishwasher · 31/03/2006 15:39

Finally phoned the airlines so:
if you are flying with Canadian Affair (thomas cook plane) you can bring it right up to the plane and then fold it down and put it in the bag. Last in the cargo hold, first out.
Same with westjet in canada.
Good to know.

OP posts:
dinosaure · 31/03/2006 15:42

I'd buy a cheapo one. They really do get bashed about on flights.

Gem13 · 31/03/2006 15:49

I would recommend sticking a large photo of the buggy on both sides of the bag and the word 'buggy'!

We put ours in the bag at the gate - last thing on the plane - but then had to wait ages at the other end as it was thought it was just another bag. The buggies and car seats came off as we stood with 2 little ones on the tarmac and it was only when they started taking the bags off we got it back.

SomethingAboutMary · 31/03/2006 15:52

Hmm i have to say i brought a Cheap one to take to majorca, i was allowed to take it right up to the plane doors, then it has to be put down & they out it o the plane for you, When we got to the other end we did not get the pushchairs back they came out with the luggage on the luggage belt that was flying with first choice.

Alot of people seemed to have all sorts of pushchairs but i would say becareful as they are not exactly gentle with your pushchairs!

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 31/03/2006 16:01

size doesn't make a difference to whether or not you take it up to the plane door. if they decide it's too big for cabin luggage you can check it in as luggage for the hold, then keep it until you are at the plane door, they take it off you there and send it down to the hold. Have done this on many an occasion with our big 3 wheeler - the reverse doesn;t work though - you won;t get it back until it comes out on the carousel

fatbetty · 31/03/2006 16:04

We have done lots of long distance flights, and when we have used our double pram we could take it straight to the plane but then it arrived at the baggage carousel. But when we have taken the MacClarens (a single pram) they unload it right when we get off the plane. I think it depends too on how big or heavy the pram is.

Yorkiegirl · 31/03/2006 16:05

I wouldn't take an expensive buggy, purely because I have had 2 buggies trashed by baggage handlers now. They treat the buggies badly. I would buy a cheap buggy which lies fairly flat and use that.

fatbetty · 31/03/2006 16:06

Or just tell the cabin crew that you have to have the pram when you land.

Original poster
purplemonkeydishwasher · 31/03/2006 16:30

Argg. I'm still unsure.
Does travel insurance cover the pram (if you get the baggage insurance?)

OP posts:
wanderingstar · 31/03/2006 17:41

I bought a Maclaren Triumph very cheaply from Kiddicare last summer for my then 20m ds, just because we were flying abroad. Maybe a Quest or similar would be better for you ? Have a look on ebay. I'm glad I didn't bring an expensive pram; as others have said, when you arrive at baggage reclaim they are often just thrown in a heap on the floor ! I saw a badly bashed mamas & papas pram at the bottom of the heap...Sad

Yorkiegirl · 31/03/2006 17:47

I tried the telling the cabin crew that I needed the pram line. And I was travelling on my own with a toddler and an ill 4 year old. Didin't work so I had to stagger through the terminal with no buggy.

bettythebuilder · 31/03/2006 17:58

cabin crew have no way of talking to the baggage handlers other than standing at the top of the steps and yelling, and the handlers all wear ear defenders, so you are at the mercy of the baggage handlers common sense.
Also beware that pushchairs etc don't always come back on the carousel, sometimes they are classed as outsize baggage and 'hidden' somewhere in the reclaim hall...(Ilearned that one the hard way!)

lexiemum · 31/03/2006 21:22

take a stroller - its really not worth the worry that the pram may get damaged. I'm sure that you could probably hire a pram in Florida if you felt the buggy wasn't providing enough cover for your son. I'm sure hiring buggies is much more common out there than it is here.

Original poster
purplemonkeydishwasher · 01/04/2006 09:25

Oh well. I spent the cash and bought the bag for the frog.
With any luck (haha) it'll all work out!

OP posts:
threebob · 01/04/2006 09:34

BA lost my Mountain buggy for a week - they paid for a new 70 quid buggy which I kept, wrote a nice apology, and when it turned up damaged they paid for that to be fixed by an authorised repairer. I didn't have to bother the travel insurers at all.

Original poster
purplemonkeydishwasher · 01/04/2006 18:13

lexiemum - Florida? hahahaha I WISH
honey i'm going to Winnipeg! There's a good chance there'll be snow and we won't be using it outside at all!!

OP posts:
sinclair · 01/04/2006 19:01

Would always recommend taking something you can take on with you. We travel long haul quite a bit as DH Canadian, once we graduated from sling, we bought a £20 stroller from Mothercare and never looked back. It is so small that you can stow it in the overhead, and unless you particularly enjoy carrying babies and small children whilst manuoevring luggage and navigating a strange airport, then this is what you need. It lasted for 4 years btw, kicking Chicco posh-chair and the Maclaren into touch - best 20 quid we ever spent. Enjoy your trip whatever you decide!

lexiemum · 01/04/2006 19:12

pmd = opps think I must have been cross threading, really don't know where I got florida from. enjoy winnipeg.

yackertyyack · 04/04/2006 09:32

As an after thought.....if you arrive to reclaim your pushchair and its damaged report it straight away to the airline company (they usually have a little booth in the reclaim area) BEFORE you leave the airport. They will assess the damage, file a report and give you a number to call when you get home. You then send the airline company a copy of the original reciept along with flight tickets and damage report and we had a refund for damage within a week of our return!!!! We took our big pushchair with us as DS was only a few weeks old and I wanted him to be comfortable...but will be investing in a stroller type one for our holiday in a couple of weeks!

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