carseat or no carseat w/ 20mo???

Yeah that's how I thought it would be.  I swear the last time I was standing in the line waiting for passport control there were kids in pushchairs- unless manchester is different??

I the last time i flew into MAN I saw others with a pushchair while standing in the immigration line??  Does anyone else have an idea about this?? Hubby is already there and was lucky enough to get a car already so went out and got the new carseats yesterday.  We are returning at christmas so I was figuring to just use it on the 2 flights then leave it in the US as our return the UK in Jan he will be a lap child then.

I don't think I can get a CARES harness in time this time so maybe will decide after I have all my stuff ready to go about the carseat.  Was also thinking I could check it and just see how things go then can always either check for the december trip or use it for then and leave it in the US--BOTTOMLINE-- I think I am just freaking over nothing and in the end it'll all be fine

This has happened to me before at Manchester and I was pissed off, the pushchair came through on the luggage carousel. I had to carry the kids, also, this has happened to me at JFK, but I willtell you when I flew back about a month ago Delta into Manchester from JFK, I had to wait like 20 minutes, but the pushchair came off the plane at the lift in the gate. No waiting until I got to the luggage carousel.

I've been on several shorter haul flights, and every single one of them gave me my pushchair back at the baggage handling, not at the gate.  I've started packing a baby wrap in my carry-on so I can hold the baby and still have my hands free for luggage and keeping my toddler in check.

I've even been on short commuter flights from SFO to the little town I live in now (45 min flight) and then it was checked at the door of the aircraft and back to me at the door. Must just be a United thing then. I knew there's a reason I liked them so much! 

I've also had our stroller back at the gate, not baggage claim. Once we waited and waited at the gate for our car seat but it went to baggage claim. The pilot even checked for us and a gate agent looked up our claim ticket on the computer. I blame the baggage handlers at Hartford airport for that one.

I was happy when we got to Boston to find our stroller waiting on the jetway. No dice when we got back to Heathrow.  I'd even checked their website for policy, and mentioned it when we waited and waited after the redeye, only to be told that they (Virgin) recently changed policy and all strollers go with baggage.  Next time, the soft carrier goes in the carryon, even if it is bulky.  That was a long walk and a huge wait at immigration with a cranky 6 month old.

I don't know what happened to my last post, but when I fly into Manchester, my pushchair is usually waiting for me when I get off the plane, sometimes I have to wait, but at Manchester I have never gotten my pushchair at the baggage claim, usually its waiting at the gate by the elevator. You have to ask when you get off the plane, but for sure at Manchester on Delta, British Air, and US Airways my stroller has been waiting for me when I get off the plane. good luck!

So I discovered I can just sit the car seat in my macarlen and sort of strap it on.  Doesn't seem to wobble or anything and can get it it on and off really easy.  20 month old can also sit in it all buckled and I think I can manage it this way through the airport and baggage claim till we are out the door.  I can also check it and not use it if I don't think I will need it.

I honestly wouldn't bother with a carseat on the plane. I can't say I've ever seen anyone use one on-board either. If it's an American manufactured seat, you may have some issues with using it on European based airlines anyway. And you won't be able to use a U.S. seat in a U.K. car anyway. Might as well leave it behind.

I've flown Continental and British Airways with a pushchair---Continental will return it at the gate.; BA makes you schlep back to baggage claim.