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Check your carry-on at the gate - Airplane tip
Baggage fees can be pretty steep, and most people try to avoid them by packing everything in a carry-on. The result, of course, is a heavy carry-on bag for them -- and a shortage of overhead bin space for the rest of us.Avoid the misery of fighting for overhead bin space by asking the gate attendant to check your bag from the gate. This allows you to get on the plane without having to fight for the limited overhead space. It also saves your arms and shoulders the heavy lifting and possible injury. Final bonus: there is no checked bag fee from the gate!
When the plane lands, your bag will be waiting for you when you get off the plane, right there at your gate.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Virgil Feb 24th 2010 11:05AM
I did not know that... good to know..
Scott Carmichael Mar 18th 2010 12:00PM
Not all airlines do gate-to-gate checks, most major carriers will just put your bag with the others on their way to baggage claim. This obviously means you'll need to be sure you don't have anything of value in it.
Elizabeth May 2nd 2011 12:01PM
Actually.... This is not true. I work for an airline and if your bag is clearly over the size limit there will be a charge for the bag (time permitting) and also the bag will go with the rest of the luggage to baggage claim.
You need to check with your airline to see if they follow these same rules.
Maeri Jul 19th 2011 10:54AM
It isn't true of every airline anyhow... I've been using this trick for a couple years, but some airlines will charge you unless they run out of overhead space first. Unless you have a military ID. That will get you out of a lot of things-- including checked baggage and sometimes overweight baggage fees. gate checking usually works for me because I always seem to be on full flights, but sometimes the gate agents get fussy about doing it for free.
Billy Aug 14th 2011 12:08AM
This article is somewhat true...the size of the bag will be noticed and will be charged accordingly (time permitting) at the gate. If the bag is within standard dimensions it will be free, however, most carriers will not deliver it to the gate. It will go to the baggage claim area.
This system is different from the valet style of the regional airlines (i.e. American Eagle)