Allowable Carry-Ons?

[c.s.]

Posted by c.s. on March 6, 2003 at 14:48:24:

Can you tell me if the airlines consider child restraint seats and strollers as luggage? I would want to take one booster seat and one infant seat onboard, but I would
need two strollers to mobility within the airport and to the aircraft.

Is the airline going to consider these four pieces luggage?

I will appreciate your help.
Thanks.

[FTF]

Posted by FTF on March 7, 2003 at 14:55:25:

In Reply to: Allowable Carry-Ons? posted by c.s. on March 12, 2003 at 14:48:24:

From my experience, I believe that you'll be asked to 'gatecheck' the strollers at the end of the jetway (a flight attendant will take
them from you and put them in an easy-to-reach hold so you can have them as you disembark).

I think if your children are paying passengers then the CRS (child restraint system, formal talk for carseat) will be considered their
hand luggage, but you should make sure both the seat and booster are "FAA Approved" (should be sticker on the back) for use on
planes.

If you are the only adult with the two children and this amount of gear, you might want to consider a backpack for one of them, as
this sounds so unwieldy. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) says that they had no jurisdiction over hand baggage
(despite problems I and others have had with their airport agents) and that this is an airline issue. I think you should call your airline
and check with them specifically about their policies. Anything you can get in writing from them will save you potential hassles on
the ground, too.

At the Air Transport Association, spokesperson Patty Edwards said that depending on the size/type of aircarft you were flying, you
might be able to bring the strollers on board and put them in overhead bins. She said that if you purchased seats for the two
children and were using your carseat and booster seat in those airline seats, she did not believe you would have a problem with any
airline about 'excess baggage.' However, she said you should speak with the airline you are flying, and document the
who/what/where/when, etc. of any conversation with an airline representative. She felt that if you had any problems at check-in
with a demand for excess baggage charges, you would be better off if you could document that you received permission from a
specific agent/supervisor.

Good luck with your trip and please let us know how it goes.