Bear with me - REALLY, REALLY stupid question

[Dizneefamily+4]

Hi all, I fly every year and always just carry on - I don't check bags. I'm flying in March and need to check my suitcase. It's been a REALLY long time since I did have to check a bag. My bag will be free because I have a Delta AmEX card and I know that I can select baggage check when I do my online check in.

Here's my really stupid question - since I usually just carry on and have my boarding passes already printed when I get to the airport, I usually just go straight to security. Since I'll be checking my suitcase, I know I need to head to ticketing. Do I have to wait in the standard ticketing line or is there a separate place to drop luggage in the ticketing area if you have already "paid" for it and already have your boarding pass? I'm just deciding how much earlier I should get to the airport than I normally do (very small airport btw.)

TIA everyone for answering my dumb question!

 

[DopeyDame]

What airport (if you're willing to share)? Every airport and every airline has a slightly different set up. Some have "luggage drop" lines if you already have your boarding pass, others don't. Almost all have a "no luggage" line or separate terminals just to print boarding passes, but that doesn't help you.

At the smaller airports I've been to, they usually don't have a separate luggage drop aisle, since it's really the luggage part that takes longer (checking ID and printing out the luggage tags)

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

What airport (if you're willing to share)? Every airport and every airline has a slightly different set up. Some have "luggage drop" lines if you already have your boarding pass, others don't. Almost all have a "no luggage" line or separate terminals just to print boarding passes, but that doesn't help you.

At the smaller airports I've been to, they usually don't have a separate luggage drop aisle, since it's really the luggage part that takes longer (checking ID and printing out the luggage tags)

Then I may just have to ask local peeps or plan extra time just in case - because I'm sure that nobody will know the answer for me because it's the Green Bay, WI airport. I'm pretty sure not too many DISsers fly out of Green Bay! But thanks for the answer - I'm betting I'll have to wait in the regular ticketing line.

 

[WDW Traveler]

At our local airports that I have flown out of (Boston, Manchester NH, and Providence) they have curb side check-in outside where we just check our bags. They check you in, you show them your boarding pass and ID, give them your bag, give them $2 a bag, you are done, head to security. Don't have to wait in the line inside. Could that be an option at your airport?

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

At our local airports that I have flown out of (Boston, Manchester NH, and Providence) they have curb side check-in outside where we just check our bags. They check you in, you show them your boarding pass and ID, give them your bag, give them $2 a bag, you are done, head to security. Don't have to wait in the line inside. Could that be an option at your airport?

I wish. I've used them way back when I used to fly out of Chicago, but my tiny local airport doesn't have curbside check-in. I'm thinking I just have to wait in the ticketing lines.

 

[sam_gordon]

I also have the Delta AmEx card and fly out of a small airport. If we're checking bags, we wait in the line. However, by "wait", there MIGHT be one person in front of us in the line. At larger airports, I'll take advantage of curb side check in.
Too bad Delta (any airline) doesn't have a kiosk to print the luggage tags (or allow you to print from home). I guess they do need to check to make sure it's not overweight.

 

[WDW Traveler]

I wish. I've used them way back when I used to fly out of Chicago, but my tiny local airport doesn't have curbside check-in. I'm thinking I just have to wait in the ticketing lines.

Bummer. Well hopefully the line isn't too long and doesn't take a long time. Good luck!

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

I also have the Delta AmEx card and fly out of a small airport. If we're checking bags, we wait in the line. However, by "wait", there MIGHT be one person in front of us in the line. At larger airports, I'll take advantage of curb side check in.
Too bad Delta (any airline) doesn't have a kiosk to print the luggage tags (or allow you to print from home). I guess they do need to check to make sure it's not overweight.

Since there's only 2 terminals, there's not usually a lot of flights leaving at the same time, but sometimes the line is long for the departing flights. I do love our security though - There's never more than 1 or 2 people in front of me in the security line and the TSA agents joke around with passengers and are pretty nice and funny. ITA that it would be great if Delta had luggage tag printing kiosks! I think it could have a scale (like the self-checks at grocery stores if you have to weigh something in order to pay for it) and could still make you pay for overweight bags by cc right at the kiosk. We might be onto something there!

 

[G719]

Since there's only 2 terminals, there's not usually a lot of flights leaving at the same time, but sometimes the line is long for the departing flights. I do love our security though - There's never more than 1 or 2 people in front of me in the security line and the TSA agents joke around with passengers and are pretty nice and funny. ITA that it would be great if Delta had luggage tag printing kiosks! I think it could have a scale (like the self-checks at grocery stores if you have to weigh something in order to pay for it) and could still make you pay for overweight bags by cc right at the kiosk. We might be onto something there!

Actually at the Pittsburgh airport, southwest has this exact thing. A kiosk to weigh and print your luggage tag. You scan your boarding pass, put the bag on the scale, and you print your luggage tag. Stick the tag on and give it to the person by the conveyor belt. Used it in November and it worked great for us.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Actually at the Pittsburgh airport, southwest has this exact thing. A kiosk to weigh and print your luggage tag. You scan your boarding pass, put the bag on the scale, and you print your luggage tag. Stick the tag on and give it to the person by the conveyor belt. Used it in November and it worked great for us.

I figured something like that MUST be out there somewhere! I wish my little airport had it!