WIth summer camps over and the unbearable heat, it seems we are the only family left in our neighborhood. I can't wait to join the exodus from steamy St. Louis! We're packing up and headed to Colorado. Well, we will be... soon. I have a reputation for being a last-minute packer. But we will be packing up our gear — car seats, stroller, etc.

Lightweight strollers are ideal for travel, in fact the umbrella-style models like most Maclarens are specifically designed for families on-the-go. But parents who are traveling by plane and gate checking their strollers should know that an airline may technically consider it a “fragile” item. This means that they are not liable for any damage or loss to your stroller.

This is what happened to a family traveling across the U.S. on American Airlines. Their stroller met them at their destination with a mangled frame and missing one wheel. Our own experiences, both domestic and international have been much more fortunate. Other than a few tears to the mesh of an under-seat storage basket, ours has weathered many a journey. With a 2-year old and a 1-year old, that was what made it possible for me to take them solo on a trip to Mexico!

An airline’s contract of carriage (available on their websites) specifically will specifically cite items for which it will take no responsibility or define as fragile. In the case of American Airlines, their list includes strollers and car seats. This is not necessarily the case with all airlines, but if you are checking in a $300 stroller (or anything other than clothing for that matter), it may be worth checking out the fine print.