Taking stroller for 4 year old

Never travelled to the states with my 4 year old before. We have a few transfer's on the way there and back, thinking whether i should take his stroller or not, and if i do , do i have to check it with my baggage?

You can probably gate check your stroller. You'll want to call your airline to see what their policy is regarding strollers.

Personally, I'd forget the stroller and would rely on those motorized carts for transportation if your son is tired. He just may be too excited to sleep!

Almost every airline I can think of allows you to check it at the gate, though it would probablly be prudent to check with the airline.

Of course in some airports getting a motorized cart between gates can be a major pain and almost impossible if you have to make a plane transfer.

What airports are you transferring at and what airline and is it the same airline.  I know way too many airports and we might be able to give you a good sense of what kind of transfer you are up against if you are not familiar with the airports.

Yes, take it!  I have a four year old and when we moved to Belfast in August it was well worth it.  He could have a nap in it between flights and it also provided a bit of personal space for him.  We have a very small maclaren that is great to travel with.  We had no issue gate checking it.  We use it round town as well as it is a great place to stash Mummy's shopping!
Michele

on the way there i am going from manchester to chicago, then releigh durham

the way back will be louisiana to huston texas, chicago to  manchester.

I think i will have to take it, it is only light and folds really well, i am trying to take as little luggage as possible, but finding it hard.

I would say take it.  Even if he wants to walk, you can put your carry on in it and have a free hand to hold his.  Never hurts to have wheels!

on the way there i am going from manchester to chicago, then releigh durham

the way back will be louisiana to huston texas, chicago to  manchester.

I think i will have to take it, it is only light and folds really well, i am trying to take as little luggage as possible, but finding it hard.

Ah, O'Hare, my sweet spot.  If you know the airlines I can give you even more specific information.  Transferring in Houston, TX I am not as good at.  I would guess either Southwest or American Airlines for that leg of the journey.  If you are changing airlines in either it is going to be a LONG LONG walk.

O'Hare you will arrive at Terminal 5.  You will have to go through customs and pick up your luggage and then exit out the door and recheck it onto the next flight.  If you are using United Airlines to Raleigh it most likely will leave from Terminal 1.  At least that is where you will have to go through security.  You get there by a tram.  Both Terminal 5 and Terminal 1 have very long walks to get to the train and from them.  You cannot even get an electric shuttle from most of the places.  If it is American, then it is Terminal 2 and basically the same story.

As far as the return trip, like I said, I don't know transferring in Houston well, I have only arrived and left from there on United Airlines and there are only a few gates.  But I don't think you are using United there, because there are no Louisiana->Houston flights.  That is more likely American or Southwest.

If you are leaving to Manchester via American or United, then the return from Chicago is going to be easier, because the flights for those leave from the same terminals you would arrive at (except there maybe a long walk even between gates there).  If you are returning to the UK on another Airline then you will have to go from your incoming terminal and go to Terminal 5, another long transfer as well as a second security screening.

Basically I would bring the stroller with you no matter what.  As Kathleen mentions you can always put your carry-ons in it as well as you are likely to be standing in lines at one point or another for a long time and little 4yo legs do like to get tired!

yes i am travelling American airlines. I am so looking forward to being with hubby , but dreading the travelling part. My 10 year old is wonderful, but it depends what side of the bed my 4 year old gets out of that determines his mood so i think the stroller is a must have.

Kitsonk, thanks so much for the info, always best to be prepared.