O.k., so at Christmas I flew American Airlines with my baby as a lap child and was able to bring a carseat, stoller, and diaper bag. This yr, getting ready to go on vacation agian, I find a good deal with Contenintal Airlines online. I call to see what their infant policy is. I find that a lap child is allowed a diaper bag and EITHER a carseat OR a stoller. To take both I have to pay an additional $80. Are you kidding me?!?!? What parent that has a child under 2 years old can go without one or the other? Heck, one is a law!! The other? Can you imagine going to a park or heck, going anywhere you would go on vacation where you don't need a stoller!! How can you ask a parent to give one of them up? They are both essential.
I want to know one of two things (or both if your ambitious). Your thoughts on the matter, and if you would try to do something about it. (If yes, what?)
2006-07-18 18:53:56 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Continental sucks!!!!!!!
I have soo many problems with this airline I will NOT!!! fly with them again! I urge EVERYONE to do the same!! I am in a battle with them as we speak! The F'd-up thing is my flight is booked and I can't get a cash refund. Just a credit for another flight! What BS!!!!!!!!
2006-07-18 18:57:53 · answer #1 · answered by itsmeee2006 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, for most of my children's lives (I have 5), I have owned *neither* a stroller nor a car seat. So, yes, I can imagine very easily traveling without bringing both along.
My thoughts on the matter... First of all, you could undoubtedly bring one of the two of them as a piece of *your* luggage. Or maybe you can bring a car seat and stroller, and count the diaper bag as your own carry-on. Second, you could call the airline and see if that is really their policy "on the ground"; they may have a different *actual* policy from their *written* policy. Third, maybe that $80 is the difference between the cheap airfare on Continental and the airfare on other airlines. Fourth, if you don't like it, you always have the option to fly a different airline.
If you do find their policy objectionable, then I would suggest that you first, contact them at your local airline to determine if that is, in fact, their policy. Ask for the name and title of the person you are speaking to (or ask them to repeat it if they answer the phone with name/title)--and *write it down*. If you aren't happy with the responses, ask to speak to a supervisor (get name and title again). While you are on the phone (if possible) or as soon as you get off the phone, write down a summary of the phone call.
Second, write a letter (this is more effective than an e-mail) to their corporate headquarters; the address should be on the Web site somewhere. In the letter, explain the situation (include the URL of the Web page, and names and titles of anyone you spoke to--along with what was said) *and* what you want them to do to make it better. Be specific and keep in mind that it may take them a few weeks to get back to you--so don't ask them to let you fly for free in 3 days.
Good luck!!
2006-07-19 02:41:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Book your trip through another airline. I just flew with Jet Blue and as a lap child, I brought car seat, stroller, and diaper bag (the very necessities for any child). What if you were to buy your child a seat on the plane? What would be their policy then? Check with a few different airlines to see what they allow. I would call Continental again... you might have gotten an agent that didn't know what they were talking about. It wouldn't be the first time.
2006-07-19 01:58:58 · answer #3 · answered by VixenMom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know this may sound like you'll need to add more money to an expense, but ship the carseat or stroller to a relative/friend. or to centers like ups or fedex and then have them picked-up at the facility. it's what i'll be doing when i travel next month. just find out where one (local) center is central from your vacationing spot; maybe this can solve your problem. start by calling one of these facilities' 800 number (sorry i don't actually have the info for the 800 numbers, you'll have to do it yourself).
2006-07-19 05:01:04 · answer #4 · answered by xgoldeniisx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can often take them with you when you board the plane, and hand them over to the attandants before you board. They put them in the hold and then give them to you when you get off the plane. i would ask if they would charge for this, although I imagine not. If you are not the worrying type, you can try go with both and when they apprach you when you want to board, let them take the stroller on condition that they will give it back to you when you get off the plane. I doubt that they will charge for this - we have done it loads of times. People are usually very sympathetic to people travelling with infants. good luck!
2006-07-19 05:41:35 · answer #5 · answered by Leah S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should write a letter or email the airline company expressing your concern and if that doesn't work call dateline
2006-07-19 01:58:08 · answer #6 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why the heck do you fly so much with an infant
2006-07-19 01:56:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋