I had a travel system and it was invaluable to ME (which, ultimately is all that matters, right?
)
Anyone who knows Ramstein AB and the steep walk up to the BX from the Commissary parking lot understands how treacherous that rail-less shaded bricked pathway actually is. Add inclement weather and you have an accident waiting to happen, imo. I've always been scared of not being able to stop on the edge to make the turn downwards. I was there at least once a week to shop the two locations, if not more.
There is no way on God's green earth that I would have trusted my bad ankle to support dd up and down that hill. I adored being able to put her carseat in the stroller for that primary reason.... and the fact I had a c-section that was painful for a rather long time. I only wish the Evenflo had come with brakes that are similar to the Speedi.
Why didn't I just use the stroller alone? Multiple of reasons -- she liked looking at me, We'd play games that way... People were less intrusive, especially if she fell asleep because the two shades would completely cover her-- it fit more securely than the stroller alone, and I suspect her reflux was lessoned with the slanted seat. She was also up higher, which she enjoyed. She was never crazy about a stroller as a baby.
The stroller came in handy for packing it with stuff from BX area so I didn't have baby + bags to carry back to my car. I'd unload it at my car, then sling dd through the commissary. It worked for us :shrug-shoulders:
As soon as she outgrew that infant bucket around 9 months, I sold the whole unit. I didn't care for the plasticky American Stroller. Too bulky and a waste of space. Tried out some others before settling on 2 strollers for various terrain.
LOL, even if there is a chance of another child, I'll just get a bassinet for him/her. I have the carseat/bassinet adaptors in the box for my Quinny Speedi.
I wouldn't say the system is necessary for everyone, but in my situation, it was critical.