Hellobee Boards

Yep, they gate check them (as well as a stroller). I've never used a bag or cover and it's never been a problem.

I have both gate checked and checked it via regular baggage. I always use a bag, you'd be surprised how dirty it will come out at your destination!

@kiddosc: I have always used the car seat bag, because I haven't found the airlines to be consistent in offering bags. If they do use bags, the are usually the clear variety, which are kind of hard to find locally (where I live at least). You also might find your convertible seat won't fit in that bag, our travel seat is a narrow Cosco Scenera, so we have no issues, but the Britax models might not fit.

What I recommend doing is putting a card inside the straps of the car seat, buckling it all closed, just in case the carseat and the bag become separated. The bag I use is the exact one that you've posted in the link. I tie up the drawstring as well, don't want that getting caught.

we've been gate checking our carseat in this. it looks super cool.

http://www.amazon.com/Childress-Ultimate-Seat-Travel-Black/dp/B0009RNXNA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380032637&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=jjcole+ultimate+car+seat+bag

but seriously, it always works out great and keeps the seat nice and protected.

We've gate checked without a bag for a quick flight, no plane changes. And it was easy. Just try to wrangle all the straps and buckles as best you can and tie them together.

@kiddosc: We have the bag that @charlotte posted-- it was nice to just wear it like a backpack and leave our hands free to tend to the baby and our carryons.