USAIR-PHL - Can you check your bags really early?

[SydSim]

We will be printing the boarding passes the day before, but how early can we check the bags? DH has to work, and will be going to the airport straight from work. He'll be cutting the time close, so if he could check his bags hours beforehand, he'd only have to go thru security (and we all know how long that can take). Anyone know? Thanks

 

[kaytieeldr]

Check with the airline/airport. Usually it's no more than four hours in advance of the flight (I wanted to check in for an 8 PM flight during my lunch hour and the airline wouldn't let me )

 

[Lewisc]

PHL requires luggage check in at least 45 minutes before your flight. Are you using DME? No problem if your luggage winds up on a later flight.

 

[SydSim]

PHL requires luggage check in at least 45 minutes before your flight. Are you using DME? No problem if your luggage winds up on a later flight.

I think that you misunderstood the question. I want to know the earliest that we could check bags (say his flight is at 4pm - can we check his bags in at 11am?)

I did call the airline - twice. Neither agent knew the answer. I have two friends who work for the airline - one said two hours, the other said four hours

Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

I understood your question, kaytieeldr already told you 4 hours is the normal rule.

My concern is you may be cutting it too close to make the 45 minute rule. As long as you're using DME you can just sign off that the airline isn't responsible if your bags don't make your flight and not worry about it.

I think that you misunderstood the question. I want to know the earliest that we could check bags (say his flight is at 4pm - can we check his bags in at 11am?)

I did call the airline - twice. Neither agent knew the answer. I have two friends who work for the airline - one said two hours, the other said four hours

Thanks!

 

[Hannathy]

I was told 4 hrs over Christmas of this year. keep in mind Phila is it or miss on the security lines. Sometimes they back up a lot so don't cut it too short.

 

[SydSim]

I understood your question, kaytieeldr already told you 4 hours is the normal rule.

My concern is you may be cutting it too close to make the 45 minute rule. As long as you're using DME you can just sign off that the airline isn't responsible if your bags don't make your flight and not worry about it.

Thanks for the replies. DH isn't going to WDW - he's going to LA. I do know about the 45 minute rule. We were just trying to handle as many things as possible beforehand, so that he just has to go thru security about an hour ahead.
Thanks again.

 

[ducklite]

TSA rules are that bags can't be checked more than four hours prior to any domestic flight.

In Philadelphia security lines can take a full hour or more to get through. DH and I plan on arriving a full 90 minutes prior to flight time, even though we pre-print boarding passes and have no bag to check. We've needed that full amount of time more than once.

Anne

 

[SydSim]

Thanks everyone, you have been very helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks, Anne - I didn't realze it was a TSA restriction. That makes sense.

To the OP: I don't know about USAirways, but on American - at least flying out of Las Vegas - 45 minutes actually means bags have to be checked in at least 46 minutes prior to the flight. A sibling had checked in online but was delayed getting to the airport, where the bag-check kiosk was used exactly 45 minutes prior to the flight (e.g. 7 AM flight, checked in at 6:15) and not only ended up getting luggage delivered the next day, but also was not able to get on the original flight and had to go standby all day.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We will be printing the boarding passes the day before, but how early can we check the bags? DH has to work, and will be going to the airport straight from work. He'll be cutting the time close, so if he could check his bags hours beforehand, he'd only have to go thru security (and we all know how long that can take). Anyone know? Thanks

Try calling the airport. www.phl.org