SFO - when do I get the stroller?

I am flying with a toddler and a baby to SFO (with Swiss from Zurich if that's somewhat relevant). (I already asked the airline this question, but they provide useless answers.)

In Zurich I'll take the stroller to the airplane and get it loaded there last (as far as I know that is possible in Zurich).

Does anyone know if I can get the stroller back at the plane? We will land at 4pm (which will be 1am, so the two little ones will be sleeping and I can't carry both of them plus all the hand luggage).

If I can't get the stroller back at the plane, what kind of distance am I looking at till I get it? Is it before passport control or after?

If it is far and I can't get the stroller is there some airport assistance I can organize?

Thank you very much for helping.

Most airlines have it waiting at exit of the plane.

What you want to do is "gate check" the stroller. This is when you get a tag at the gate, and you leave it on the jetway for loading. Generally, the item will be returned to the jetway when you board, though depending on how much unloading they have to do and how quickly you de-board, you may have to wait a few minutes.

In the very unusual case where they don't provide your gate-checked item at the jetway, you'll have to retrieve it from the luggage carousel. This will be after immigration, but before customs.

Also, be aware that you'll enter the US at your first point of entry, if not SFO. If your plane stops anywhere in the US before SFO, you'll need to do all of this there.

Explanation for MOD - it's pretty much the same as bzookaj wrote, just in German

Hallo Sara

Was der Vorredner sagen will, wenn du mit dem Kinderwagen zum Einstieg fährst und du den erst dort abgibst (und nicht schon beim regulären Check-in) dann ist die Chance gross, dass der Wagen auch wieder direkt beim Gate bezugsbereit sein wird. Am Besten steigst du einfach nicht gerade als erstes aus, sondern bleibst noch ein wenig sitzen, so dass die Leute Zeit haben den Wagen zu bringen. Es gibt aber Fälle, wo der Wagen beim Gepäckband erst bezogen werden kann; aber das kann dir wohl erst im Flugzeug durch die Flugbegleiter zu 100 % bestätigt werden.

Check-in in ZRH will confirm this for you. If the "delivery at aircraft"procedure is not available (highly unlikely) then request electo-car assistance for arrival in SFO which is FOC.

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Usually people with a child and stoller. Gate Check the stroller at the end of the gate ramp, right before entering the plane. You also should offered early boarding since you are with a small child.

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