Carrying everything when flying alone..

[zarapipe]

I will be flying from Atlanta to Buffalo next month. I will be doing a direct flight. The problem I have is how to carry everything! I plan on bringing a carseat, stroller and two carry on bags so we don't have to check luggage. I know in some airports they have those little carts after security to help push everything around, but what do I do until I get to security? When do I do when I get to the gate and have to drop the cart?

Or is it impossible and should I fork over $$ and my time by checking a bag?

[ijack]

check a bag for sure. and the car seat.

[zarapipe]

Jul 16, 2012 14:53:36 GMT -5 ijack said:

check a bag for sure. and the car seat.

The reason I want to bring the carseat is so she will remain seated during the flight. If she has the ability to run.. she will try. but I guess if I can't, I can't and I will stuff her full of cherios to keep her occupied haha

[zarapipe]

Jul 16, 2012 14:58:59 GMT -5 @msstarry said:

How many adults will be there to handle the stuff?

Just me

[Deleted]

This sounds like my personal hell. I brought a backpack for DS, my carry on and a stroller to gate check and I felt like the bag lady.
Did you get a seat for your child?

[zarapipe]

Jul 16, 2012 15:03:03 GMT -5 flygirl said:

This sounds like my personal hell. I brought a backpack for DS, my carry on and a stroller to gate check and I felt like the bag lady.
Did you get a seat for your child?

Yep- she turned two in March. Yep- bag lady fits the image. I can see me being swallowed by everything and only my head poking up.

[h]

I would check a bag and the carseat and carry on one small bag and the stroller. If you really want the car seat on the flight, I would carry on the carseat and stroller and one small bag with the essentials for the flight, then check the rest of your stuff. Push the carseat in the stroller until you get to the gate.

[mrshandy]

I carried one bag and a stroller to the gate and checked DS car seat. There was NO way I could have gotten the car seat to security. It was hard enough getting it to the airline counter so I could check it.

The carts cost like $4.50 so that is a cost to take into consideration.

Even carrying a stroller and carseat to the gate will be difficult. Carseats are really hard to carry.

Maybe look into one of those rolly things you clip onto a car seat and you can check the stroller at the airline counter.

[perhapsprincess]

I flew by myself with my son when he was that age. Check your luggage. Take the stroller, car seat, diaper bag, toy bag for you and kiddo to the gate and go. You can do it! I am so glad to hear you are using the car seat on the plane. That is both great for the kid and protects the car seat!

Car seat gets bungie'd into the stroller. Kiddo sits in the stroller. Diaper bag on your back. Toy bag on your shoulder. A waistpouch for tickets, money, ID, phone, etc.

[drloretta]

Check or mail stuff instead.

The last time I flew alone with DD, she was a lap child, the car seat was already at the destination, and I carried her in an Ergo most of the time. All I had other than that was a purse and a roll-on carryon

[CloudBee]

You're crazy. Check those bags.

She'll be strapped in on the plane even w/out her carseat, no? Don't let her have the aisle seat and you will be fine. Snag a carseat cover at Walmart/Target before your trip, or triple pack it in garbage bags.

Fork over the money. It's so worth it for your sanity.

I'll say it again. Crazy.

[keh2oblue]

I traveled with DD last summer alone across country. It may cost a little more, but check everything except the stroller and a carry-on (I used a backpack) with your diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, DVD player, etc. It will make things so much easier on you.

[livinitup]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JHN3AS/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1342499037&sr=8-1

This is what I used for a car seat and a carry-on bag in the airport. Then I gate checked the car seat. Worked really well.

[af1212]

I travel by myself frequently with my 2 1/2 year old and always take the car seat. I would check one bag, make the second a backpack, then push your little one in the stroller and put the car seat in this: www.amazon.com/Childress-Wheelie-Seat-Travel-Black/dp/B000XA6DC6. I usually clip mine to my stroller handle once I'm through security and then it wheels along with us.

You'll do great!

[frlcb]

Atlanta doesn't have those baggage carts past security, only before, so you wouldn't be able to use one anyway. Check the bags and carseat, and let her sit in the seat. Get a CARES harness - do you live in Atlanta? I can tell you where to buy one, or you can rent one on ebay.

[mmmomof2]

I flew with my two year old and brought the car seat on the plane. I checked my ginormous suitcase and pushed the carseat on the stroller while she was able to walk (to wear her out). If I had smaller luggage that could have fit under the stroller, but I'm not a light packer.

Era - I brought my uber easy to push Bumbleride so I could push one handed while holding Dd's hand

[mrssandro]

We learned the hard way last time. Check it all. (especially the car seat and stroller (It's FREE) Carry the bare minimum. Trust me. GL!

[Jem]

DS and I flew alone a couple of months ago. I did not bring a stroller (the friend I was visiting had an extra), but I had DS in the carrier, a carry on suitcase with the car seat bungeed to it so I could roll them together, and a backpack. It was doable, but if I were to do it again I would just check it - and that is saying a lot because I never check luggage.

[definitelyO]

checking is WAY easier.

But I totally agree with taking your carseat on the plane for her to sit in. it was a lifesaver for us with DS. he was used to the carseat and would sit contently for the flight. when he wasn't in it - he wanted to stand up, walk around, peek-a-boo with everyone, etc... it was stressful.

I put the carseat on my back like a backpack using the straps. DS in the stroller with a backpack attached to the straps and pulled the carryon behind me. (had to push the stroller with one hand) it was a struggle and a totally PITA - but doable. Can you get all your stuff into one wheeled carryon suitcase and a backpack?