I have only had my carryon bag gate-checked once, last year in Rome on my way to Palermo.
They said it was because the flight was full.
I don’t remember being given any sort of receipt or tag for it, and just got it off the carousel in Palermo.
For those of you who have had a bag gate-checked at the last minute, do you get given a receipt/tag/sticker?
Otherwise, if it’s lost, how would you prove that the airline had possession of it?
The things you think of in the dead of night.
The things you think of in the dead of night. HA! So true. I have an air tag on each bag, including my purse when traveling. I suppose the other thing if you're mindful of it in the midst of boarding would be to ask for a tag. Is it weird they didn't give you one?
It really depends on the airline and what they mean by "gate checking."
In the US, if I leave my bag at the end of the jetway to be stored in the luggage hold, I then get it back when I deplane. I get a gate check tag at the boarding area.
If they take the bag to put in the old and you get it back at baggage claim, they should give you a tag. Most now have digital capability to allow you to track the bag. Again, this depends on the airline.
If I was told I had to check the bag, I would ask for something to prove the bag was checked should it get lost.
With just an airtag, where's the proof you actually checked the bag.
I have gate checked quite often in my life. You should be given a claim check just like you would be if you checked at the check-in counter. Do not handover your bag without getting that claim check because your AirTag is not going to prove to the airline that they have your luggage.
I fly a couple domestic routes on smaller planes regularly. American and United. On these routes, the staff roams the waiting area or grabs carry-on bags as the boarding pass is presented and proactively tags the bag. Despite a tag, it's not always been necessary to gate-check if boarding early, but for the last passengers, the bags may end up in the hold. Retrieval may be either at the end of the jetway or baggage carousels.
I've also had the same scenario regularly when flying with ANA non-stop ORD to Tokyo. Proactive tagging of all virtually all bags for anyone sitting in the waiting area. Cathay Pacific always tagged my total dimension compliant but extra length dimension work-related carry-on, but in the end I was never required to gate-check.
I'm suspect each airline and possibly each airport and route has their own routines. I have always received a tag when gate-checked as far as I can remember.
Thanks.
I was thinking I was probably so tired having just got off the trans-Atlantic flight, then hustled through FCO to the next gate that I didn’t even think about a tag or receipt.
I had my bag gate checked yesterday and yes, I was given a ticket. Thankfully I was able to pick it up as I exited the plane instead of having to get it from the carousel because we were then getting on an international flight and that would have required going back through security.
Good to know.
Be it in the US or in Europe, I have never had to gate check, was never told by the carrier staff at boarding my carry-on was too big. I went through with no problems, as expected.
Well, I’m glad that at least one poster has never been told they have to get check. But I’ve had some short connections that when I got to the second flight, the overhead bins were full, or because of work issues I’ve arrived at the airport late and by the time I got to the gate, the overhead bins were full. In that case, you will have to get check, you need to have your valuables in your personal item and ready for that.
I saw one man miss his flight because he was not going to gate check his bag. The airline was going to deal with this and basically while he was screaming at one agent about this they closed the door and the plane left.
I just voluntarily gate checked my bag yesterday, in Atlanta on Delta. They gave me a receipt immediately. It looked like they made sure I took it. Picked up the bag at the baggage carousel. I have no qualms about checking my bag and do so at the gate for free when I can, when there is a charge online. I have found that a smaller airport, Greensboro, NC for example, would bring them back to the jetway, but it took just as long IMO. I just make sure I see the tag they put on my bag to make sure, in my case, it says BOS or my destination elsewhere.
If I lost my bag, which has never happened to me in 50 years of travel, I could survive on my change of clothes in my PI along with the rest of the stuff in the bag. I was a little worried this time because I had a brand new pair of white Altras (maybe destined for Paris with me in the spring) in my suitcase, but it arrived safe and sound.
Good that the plane closed the door and took off without that " screamer" boarding since he refused to cooperate .
Last summer trip was one instance where the overhead bins were all full by the time I got to my seat towards the rear. This was United to FRA. No space anywhere was to be had, thanks to those barging on my space. I had to put the carry-on sack underneath the seat in front or as much it that could fit., which cramped my legs for the 11 hour flight....well, pretty uncomfortable. That's probably one of the perks you get when assigned to Group 4.
When I gate check my carry on suitcase is when I’m flying to Europe from Sacramento and it’s a small regional plane that takes me to San Francisco. I always allow a good amount of layover time in case the flight is delayed because of fog at SFO.
do you get given a receipt/tag/sticker?
Yes!!! I won't gate check without one.
