Flying MAN > ATL > MCO... What to do with pushchairs?

[Guest]

Buckle up folks, this is going to be a long question...

As the title suggests, I am flying MAN to MCO, with a 2 hour stopover in Atlanta.

My main question revolves around what to do with our pushchairs.

On a previous flight to Las Vegas, we had to wait at the gate to collect our pushchairs, which was very frustrating as we were among the first off of the plane, and we were left right at the back of the queue for immigration.

I've tweeted Atlanta airport about it, and they suggested that if we check in the pushchairs along with the luggage at MAN, then the pushchairs will probably come out with the rest of the luggage at the carousel. If we check the pushchairs at the gate at MAN, then we will probably have to wait for them at the gate at ATL, but to check with the airline.

Now it gets complicated.

I've read online somewhere that ATL has some fast-tracks through (security / immigration? Can't remember which!) for families with small children, but only if they are in a stroller!

So I am trying to figure out if I am better waiting for the strollers, and then going through a fast track which may or may not exist... or treat the strollers as luggage and leg it as soon as we get off the plane.

(I've heard that a 2h window in Atlanta is cutting it pretty fine to get the connecting flight, hence the stress about timing!)

Hopefully some other DIBBers have done the same thing and can advise!

[Sinead]

No advice as we ordered a stroller from Kingdom strollers and left our pushchair behind because of worrying about our connection in Atlanta and I wanted one less item to worry about. Not sure how suitable that is for you though? my daughter was 2. We had a 1hr 50 connection and missed our connecting flight so got put on the next one. It was quite stressful but would do it again for the savings - I felt exactly the same as you beforehand worrying about the timing!

[Paddcomp]

Unless you need the stroller for your child to transit through ATL, I'd check in with the luggage.
The immigration and security in ATL are very efficient and just walk throughs, 2 hours will be fine.
We went via ATL at Easter, so busy, and had time to spare.

If you gate check your stroller, we've done this, you could always leave one adult to collect it and catch the rest of you up in the immigration queue.