I don’t want to check my bag at the gate.

[Anonymous]

Last summer we travelled to a popular destination and the flight was full. We were at the beginning of “main” boarding, and when there were about five groups ahead of us they suddenly announced they were going to start checking bags because “the flight is full and to expedite boarding”. NOT because of weight and balance. And, as we found out once we boarded and were met with wide open bins, NOT because of the bins being full. They just wanted to board us quickly, apparently. At that point it was too late to go back and retrieve my carry-on, and I was even more annoyed later when it took forever for the bags to make it to the conveyer at our destination when I had paid extra to be “main” vs “economy”. In hindsight I could have made a fuss and demanded the difference returned to me, but I digress.

We are headed back in a couple days and I’m already anticipating the same thing happening. What happens if I just carry-on anyway and find that there are no bins this time?

[Anonymous]

If the flight attendants announce they will be requiring gate checking of bags, there is no “carry-on anyway”. It’s not optional.

[Anonymous]

Then pack a carryon that goes under the seat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the flight attendants announce they will be requiring gate checking of bags, there is no “carry-on anyway”. It’s not optional.

It’s not the flight attendants who make this decision, it’s the gate agents, and they don’t relay this to the flight attendants.

A flight attendant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the flight attendants announce they will be requiring gate checking of bags, there is no “carry-on anyway”. It’s not optional.

It’s not the flight attendants who make this decision, it’s the gate agents, and they don’t relay this to the flight attendants.

A flight attendant

I’m sorry that insulted you. It doesn’t change the fact that OP doesn’t get a choice to gate check when it’s required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then pack a carryon that goes under the seat

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then pack a carryon that goes under the seat

This. I noticed that they don't gate check backpacks that are on your back. So even if it won't fit under the seat, take a backpack.

[Anonymous]

You are crying over spilt’ milk. This is not an everyday occurrence.

[Anonymous]

Boo hoo.

[Anonymous]

Fly first or business

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the flight attendants announce they will be requiring gate checking of bags, there is no “carry-on anyway”. It’s not optional.

It’s not the flight attendants who make this decision, it’s the gate agents, and they don’t relay this to the flight attendants.

A flight attendant

Our family was targeted in Amsterdam for gate checking while transferring to another intra-Europe flight. Not sure why. A gate agent approached us at the gate well before boarding (while we were sitting waiting for the flight) and asked if we were so and so, when we confirmed, they asked us to gate check. We asked if we could decline and they said no. Actually it was the three of us that shared the same last name. The fourth in the party was not on their list probably because of a different name.

That felt pretty crummy to be picked out like that. Not clear why either. Nothing happened on our previous flight that should have picked us out as people with unusual baggage or anything like that. It was selectively applied to people based on the passenger roster. Maybe based on row location. But our seats had working bins overhead.

I think it's pretty much that making one family mad is easier than making three separate flyers mad.

[Anonymous]

This isn’t a big deal, just suck it up.

[Anonymous]

Then upgrade to a better boarding group

[Anonymous]

This doesn't happen all that often. If it does, you roll with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the flight attendants announce they will be requiring gate checking of bags, there is no “carry-on anyway”. It’s not optional.

It’s not the flight attendants who make this decision, it’s the gate agents, and they don’t relay this to the flight attendants.

A flight attendant

I’m sorry that insulted you. It doesn’t change the fact that OP doesn’t get a choice to gate check when it’s required.

She doesn’t sound insulted. She was providing information.