American Airlines updated its stroller and wagon policy for families with children a couple of weeks ago. There is no longer any weight restriction on strollers – whether or not it can be brought on board is now entirely dependent on whether or not it is collapsable.

Collapsible Strollers and Wagons

• Permitted at Gate: Collapsible strollers and wagons with built-in safety straps can be gate-checked.

• Carry-On Allowed: If collapsible and fitting carry-on dimensions, these items can be taken onboard and stored in the overhead bin or closet (subject to available space).

• Free of Charge: These items are free when traveling with children and do not count towards the carry-on allowance.

Non-Collapsible or Non-Compliant Items:

Items including playpens, cribs, wagons without safety straps, beach wagons without safety straps, and pack-and-plays must be checked at the ticket counter.

Interestingly, you cannot check a stroller free of charge unless the child that it’s for is actually present – unless you are traveling with the item enroute to adopt a child.

I’m going to carry a copy of this policy with me. When my daughter was two years old, a notoriously bad American Airlines gate agent in San Diego forced us to gate check our collapsable stroller because he was mad at being wrong that it wouldn’t fit in the bag sizer. He was rude, mean-spirited, and purely retributive.

Faced with that kind of employee, though, proof of a policy might not even be helpful. He told us he knew the policy best, and that if we didn’t comply we wouldn’t fly. So naturally we were as friendly and solicitous as policy as we followed his instructions.

Traveling with kids can be especially tough when there’s confusion over what’s permitted. A flight attendant assaulted a passenger and had them removed from an American Airlines flight over a baby stroller.

An American gate agent forced a baby out of a car seat. Another insisted that children had to carry their own bags on board and parents could not help, or else the bags wouldn’t be permitted in the cabin. Go figure.