Airline question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

09-09-2009, 09:46 AM

So we're thinking forward to vacation time:

We have a new member of the family (Pux Jr. see: puke vs poop) If we pay a surcharge to be able to carry her on my lap is she allowed her own baggage allowance? We're just trying to figure out if the airline is going to charge us to bring her carseat (can we gatecheck this? I'm planning on doubleing it as a stroller) and a portable crib.

Seeing as we have to pay extra for extra bags on some airlines, we're trying to make it the most cost effective trip we can...

Any help from some CP parents would be appreciated!

mykalberta · 09-09-2009, 09:48 AM

What airline. Normally you dont have to pay a surcharge if the baby sits on your lap and they will gate check the stroller.

09-09-2009, 09:51 AM

Not sure what airline... Ithink Delta, United, American, Westjet or Scare Canada... I'm not worried about the surcharge for the lap, I'm wondering about bagagge charges.

mykalberta · 09-09-2009, 09:56 AM

A child on lap isnt allowed extra baggage. However the stroller/car seat can be gate checked and you wont be charged a baggage fee.

If your question is are we allowed 2 extra bags because of the baby - no. Standard baggage fee charges will apply for extra baggage as baggage allowance is only 2 per ticketed passenger.

You can get around it by taking extra carry on luggage - but then you will be seen as the people abusing the carry on luggage - we know who you are

yads · 09-09-2009, 10:46 AM

Each airline has specific rules on what you can and cannot bring with a child.

Here's Westjet's http://c5dsp.westjet.com/guest/trave...p#specialneeds

socktape · 09-09-2009, 11:12 AM

We flew on air canada a couple years ago and I think that their infant policies were close to that Yads has linked to on westjet. Be sure to bring a garbage bag or some sort of plastic bag for the carseat/playpen/stroller as the baggage compartment is quite dirty and will get all over your stuff.

Antithesis · 09-09-2009, 11:18 AM

I'd suggest avoiding United if possible. We've not taken many flights with them - about a half dozen, but every single one has been uncomfortable in some way (more than a flight normally is) ... and 2 of the 6 times they decided to leave our car seat behind due to weight restrictions ... we saw people pulling sets of golf clubs off the same flight. I pointed it out to the manager (was angry, not infurated - yet) and asked in which situation it made sense to put golf clubs on and leave off car seats. She had no good answer for me ... and then it happened on a return flight as well. Westjet seems to be the most infant friendly to me. If possible, I'd go with them, and you won't be paying a surcharge for having Pux Jr. with you on your lap.

mykalberta · 09-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Its possible although unlikely those clubs were biz class luggage, in which case it and priority cargo always take precedence over economy luggage of any sort.

If your car seat was gate checked and not checked as baggage, it would be very strange for them to leave that off.

Antithesis · 09-09-2009, 11:32 AM

Yeah, that was a mistake, car seat wasn't gate checked - our son was old enough to not need it at that point - and I agree with you re: the clubs, but there was at least a half dozen sets. Either way, it was amazing seeing people pull stuff off the plane like that while car seats --- can't leave the airport without them --- are left behind. I know it wasn't willful but still frustrating - and nothing like that has ever happened to my family with WestJet or Air Canada.

09-09-2009, 11:33 AM

I'm going to gatecheck my carseat. I'm going to buy this adapter for my carseat:

and then I won't have to worry about a stroller and can check my playpen (that was what I was trying to see: if I would be charged for checking the playpen)

Peanut · 09-09-2009, 11:41 AM

I'm going to Kelowna next week with my daughter so this thread was timely for me! I actually wouldn't have thought to bring her birth certificate for ID. It might be kind of annoying having to hold her in my lap the whole time since she's still pretty floppy, so it usually requires two hands. Glad it's a short flight!

09-09-2009, 11:47 AM

We just got Pux Jr's passport last week... if you have to get her picture taken, all I have to say is: GOOD LUCK!!!! It took 30 mins to get a crappy picture that we weren't sure if they were going to accept.

Peanut · 09-09-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puxlut

We just got Pux Jr's passport last week... if you have to get her picture taken, all I have to say is: GOOD LUCK!!!! It took 30 mins to get a crappy picture that we weren't sure if they were going to accept.

What photo place did you end up going to? I've heard it's hard to find a place to take photos of babies that can't sit up on their own yet.

You Need a Thneed · 09-09-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puxlut

We just got Pux Jr's passport last week... if you have to get her picture taken, all I have to say is: GOOD LUCK!!!! It took 30 mins to get a crappy picture that we weren't sure if they were going to accept.

Yeah, when we got a passport photo for our daughter just before she turned one, it was hard enough, never mind for an infant. The are a little bit more lenient with kids' passport photos at the passport office at least.

Speaking of which, we should probably think about getting a new passport photo taken for our daughter, although we can probably just get that done when we have to go get a passport for our coming son.

TimSJ · 09-09-2009, 12:13 PM

My advice would be to buy the extra seat if possible.

We did this going to Florida last winter with the kids. Our son was 10 months old with the extra seat we put him right in his car seat and he was happy as a lark. Slept a lot of the way.

We are going to Florida again this winter and i will do the same thing again.. Besides i couldn't imagine having that lump (lol) sitting on my lap for that long.

And I agree 100% getting the passport photos on infants is a nightmare.

You Need a Thneed · 09-09-2009, 12:30 PM

We were lucky enough on our flights to Hawaii in April (on Westjet) to get an empty seat between me and my wife to sit our almost two year old in on all the legs of our travels.

Then, you have the extra seat, but don't have to pay for it.

Gugstanley · 09-09-2009, 12:34 PM

I can only speak for Delta since that is who I usually use. Anyway, declaring an infant in arms allows you to take a child under two on board without an extra charge. If you have a baby item ie stroller, car seat you can gate check it for no charge. Some times if you sweet talk the right counter agent they will check your baby item at no charge. You can carry on two items per paying passenger and if you aren't medallion they charge you for baggage checked

Hope that helps

Gugstanley · 09-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I'm going to gatecheck my carseat. I'm going to buy this adapter for my carseat:

and then I won't have to worry about a stroller and can check my playpen (that was what I was trying to see: if I would be charged for checking the playpen)

What is that called and where can I buy one?

TimSJ · 09-09-2009, 12:42 PM

^^^

+1 that is a slick rig..

09-09-2009, 04:39 PM

Sears portraits in Southcentre did agreat job (considering the uncooperative subject) They were very patient... they have to be, dealing with kids all day...

As for the "gadget".... I'll tell you after I buy mine tonight. I don't want them sold out