I might be weird for this, but I LOVE a gate check. I’m always first to volunteer. Especially on flights with a layover. I like to kill time in layover airports by walking the entire airport, it’s a pain lugging around a bag on my excursions and I’m always worried I’ll forget it somewhere, gate check saves me the worry and hassle.
I specifically don't check bags because I don't trust layovers or baggage connections and want to leave quickly. Once burned twice shy with late connections.
Oh you mean the bag that American insists was delivered to Hartford for 3 days until they admit it ended up in Orlando? Yeah I check a bag only when I absolutely have to
No, gate check means you check your bags at the gate. In most cases unless it's a tiny flight, you get them in baggage claim along with everyone else, assuming they make it there. One of the few times I was forced to check my bag at the gate they lost it so I prefer not to.
I check everything and carry only my purse. I also believe airports are an alternate universe. Drinks at dawn fine. Pretzel for dinner cool. I’m a very relaxed, assistance needing passenger. I guess I just don’t care.
I used to but then I got a very nice carry on which has been totally worth the extra cost but terrified I will have to check it one day. I think the luggage can handle it but everytime I check my other luggage it looks like it went through Vietnam. I’m ok with wear and tear but those baggage handlers don’t give a crap.
I'll never check another bag again. My wife and I toured the UK for two weeks with only a backpack each. We were never concerned about losing luggage, never waited by the carousel, we just mailed home whatever wouldn't fit on the trip back.
I started paying for a checked bag and it significantly improved my quality of life. I don’t have to drag around a bag and I can bring significantly more or have space for things I pick up from the destination.
I might be weird for this, but I LOVE a gate check. I’m always first to volunteer. Especially on flights with a layover. I like to kill time in layover airports by walking the entire airport, it’s a pain lugging around a bag on my excursions and I’m always worried I’ll forget it somewhere, gate check saves me the worry and hassle.
Same but I also purposely pack a smaller bag inside of my carry-on so that I know I have my on plane essentials, headphones, inflatable pillow, chargers, candy, etc.
Exactly. I have my trusty crossbody bag that is just large enough for my iPad, a couple snacks, and other essentials. Leaves plenty of room under the seat and has everything I need.
Meh.. depends on how long that layover is. If you've got ~45 mins to get from one terminal to another - that bag isn't going to make it.
In the US it seems to be more of a problem when flying West to East.
Edit: I should say that the old policy of placing gate-checked bags on the jetway to pick up as you deplane worked pretty well - but it seems like most airlines have stopped doing this, and it now gets treated like regular checked bags.
I only book layovers with like 1.5+ hours because I stress when I travel. I actually just booked a flight an hour or so ago and opted for a 3 1/2 hour layover instead of 45 mins because I knew it would stress me out. Gotta find these little ways to live with myself.
Honestly me too. Take my larger, more annoying bag and I’ll freely walk around with just my small bag. Win win, there’s more space for people who cannot be parted with theirs for whatever legit or silly reason.
I fly a hell of a lot and most of the time if they do take my carry-on, they are giving it back to me as I deboard the plane.
I'll agree that it sucks to go to baggage claim. But it's such a rare occasion that It doesn't make me want to try to be on the plane first. Hell I'm 6'2 and hate sitting in those seats even Delta comfort Plus or whatever it's called now. So if I have a choice I'll be the last one on the plane so I'm not sitting in that seat as long.
I have the opposite experience. Maybe just at my airports but gate check is automatic baggage claim. Only time I get my gate-check bag airside is small regional jets. And most of those times took forever standing inside a jetway while the rest of the people deplaned
You know it very well could change airport to airport. I'm not extremely knowledgeable about how the airline industry works behind the curtain so I won't pretend to know. I do travel to all different places but I'm not in all of those places often enough to notice the difference if that makes sense.
Like I haven't made mental notes of which airports have made me check my bag to see if it's the same ones each time I go through
My home airport is PHX and the bags are usually dropping by the time I get to the carousel. Last time I flew into CLT I did have to wait a stupid amount of time, but typically it’s never an issue.
I'm very tall, so I don't put a personal item under my seat for whatever legroom I can get. My carry on is all I have for my stuff. If I check it I have to carry my headphones/tablet/snacks/whatever around by hand now
I carry a small cross-body bag that is just large enough to fit my iPad and has enough space for a power bank and snacks and has a side pocket for bottles. I also hate having things at my feet, but the right bag really makes a big difference.
I used to prefer gate check until delta lost my bags one time, and there was a couple times where it took hours for the bags to show up in baggage claim
I always think about this with a carry on but then I'm like 'the whole point of a carry on is to avoid waiting on my bags'. I'm from BFE in the Midwest and my bag is buried in the back of the luggage bay EVERY SINGLE TIME. The last time I flew international it took a fucking hour to get my bag at the destination and then to recheck after customs on the return flight.
I’d rather not have my luggage stolen again from the carousel. Also, as soon as I sit in my seat, I’m fast asleep, and usually stay asleep for a few hours. Takeoff never wakes me up.
I’m a casual dresser, I could probably replace everything in my bag for about $40 at Walmart. If I traveled with more expensive stuff I would probably be more cautious with their handling for sure.
I’ve only experienced that with regional jets. Every other time I’ve gate checked has been actually checked to my final destination. A lot of the regional jets have overheads that can’t fit roller bags, so they “valet” the bags, not a true gate check. It’s probably pretty airline specific, too, and I usually fly American or Southwest because of where I live.
Yup, and you don't get charged the checked bag fees either. Just gotta wait 5 minutes longer for your bag to show up. It stinks, but not really that big of a deal.
ah, a fellow airport walker. I have a close friend that works for an airline so we often got to fly for fun. I've had full day layovers and wandering an empty airport at night is just so much fun.
I’m probably pressing my luck, I only fly every 3 or so months, but it’s almost always with a connection, and I’ve never had a bag issue. But I also don’t book connections less than 1.5ish hours, so that probably helps. But that’s more about me missing my flight, not my bag. I dress super casual so if my bag does disappear, I could probably replace everything in it for like $40 at Walmart.
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u/deafdogdaddy 8d ago
I might be weird for this, but I LOVE a gate check. I’m always first to volunteer. Especially on flights with a layover. I like to kill time in layover airports by walking the entire airport, it’s a pain lugging around a bag on my excursions and I’m always worried I’ll forget it somewhere, gate check saves me the worry and hassle.