in the fall there's a good chance I'll fly alone to my mom's with 3 kids (6, 3 and a few months, baby not here yet). I'm used to flying alone and traveling with 2 - I usually bring an umbrella stroller which splits time between holding all our junk and holding a whiny 3yo (who definitely can walk if needed).

my mom has car seats for the older two but no infant seat. she has the option to take a friend's old one (used not expired) as they want to get rid of it right now, but I can't decide if it would be just as easy to gate check our own seat / snap n go (one downside I see is the risk of damage). that way I'd have good storage, the 3yo would have to walk and I could put the baby down (vs being forced to babywear all the time - not so fun for bathroom breaks or helping my older kids or stopping for food - or god forbid delays).

anyone have thoughts on the easiest way to do this? I hate to have my mom take the seat if we won't actually use it, but I guess she could also pass it on eventually.