What will happen to my bag if there's no space left?

[debbiedana]

I'm a pretty seasoned traveller, but I got to thinking about something when DD noticed our boarding passes on AA give us group 5 tomorrow. This hasn't happened to me before, but I'd like to know what to expect if it does...

1. I don't check luggage.
2. We (me, DD and my Mom) will each have a small rolling suitcase and a personal item.
3. We are using DME.

Because of my now-crappy boarding position, what will American do with my luggage if all the overhead storage bin space is filled? Will it become like regular checked luggage? Can I just slap the yellow luggage tags on real quick and see it later @ Pop as if I had regularly checked it?

Or will it be brought up with strollers, wheelchairs and other stuff that doesn't fit in the cabin? I really can't imagine that though.

Just something that I've never experienced and wondered about...

 

[SaraJayne]

I'm a pretty seasoned traveller, but I got to thinking about something when DD noticed our boarding passes on AA give us group 5 tomorrow. This hasn't happened to me before, but I'd like to know what to expect if it does...

1. I don't check luggage.
2. We (me, DD and my Mom) will each have a small rolling suitcase and a personal item.
3. We are using DME.

Because of my now-crappy boarding position, what will American do with my luggage if all the overhead storage bin space is filled? Will it become like regular checked luggage? Can I just slap the yellow luggage tags on real quick and see it later @ Pop as if I had regularly checked it?

Or will it be brought up with strollers, wheelchairs and other stuff that doesn't fit in the cabin? I really can't imagine that though.

Just something that I've never experienced and wondered about...

My guess would be if it is allowable carry-on and it doesn't fit under the seat in front of you, it will be gate-checked and you'll get it back when you de-plane.

 

[Jillpie]

This exact thing happened to us in April on Airtran. Our carry ons were checked. So yes! Bring those yellow tags with you, I wish I had mine. You could definitely put them on at the last minute. Just a comment on the above poster, they are checked with the rest of the luggage and not given to you as you deplane (thinking strollers etc), you have to go down to the carousel and pick it up.

 

[bumbershoot]

When I have gate-checked items, I'm usually given the choice of whether I want to get it when I get off the plane, or if I want it to be sent through to the carousel.

 

[debbiedana]

Good deal! WDW will be the only trip I take where I'm actually HOPING there won't be room for my carry on luggage!

 

[tjmw2727]

When I have gate-checked items, I'm usually given the choice of whether I want to get it when I get off the plane, or if I want it to be sent through to the carousel.

This has been my experience as well, especialy if you are forced to check a legal carryon due to space issues.

I usually just opt to get it at the jetway but on a WDW trip I would definately choose the carosel and place the yellow luggage tags on first !

Recently gate agents have been making announcements at the gate when the flight is full offering to check bags for free.

 

[uva185]

Each airline can be different, but at least on US Airways and Delta if they run out of overhead space they will check it to your final destination. It will not be brought up with the strollers. (Unless you are traveling in First Class or talk your way into getting a First Class gate check tag)

 

[SDSorority]

I've had to have our carryon checked before on Airtran. They threw it under the plane with the rest of the luggage.

 

[TaraPA]

I also only travel with a rolling carry-on & a personal item. Twice in the last year, because of my boarding position, I've had to have the rolling carry-on checked. Both times were on my way home from MCO, so I don't know how checking it at that point will affect ME. Take extra ME tags with you just in case!

Both times were handled differently. The 1st time they checked the bag to the luggage carousel in the airport. This added an extra 25 min. to my travel time. The 2nd time they just gate-checked it, so it was sitting out on the ground as I de-planed (small airport, small plane, no tunnel hallway to connect to the terminal). I'm not sure what or whom makes the decision of whether or not it gets checked to the carousel or to the gate, or if it's a time sensitive issue.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Boarding groups on AA are based on seat assigment , they board the plane from the back to the front. Group 2 rows 31-36 and the exit row seats, Group 3 rows 31-26, Group 4 rows 25-21 Group 5 rows 20-15 Group 6 rows 15-9 (I'm using these as an example, it is not an accurate group assignment). Group 1 is now assigned to passengers who pay the priority access fee. The flt attendants are monitoring the boarding process constantly, no one seating on row 36 should place their bags by row 15. So, when group 5 is called to board all the overheads above those seats should be empty and you should not have any problem. In case there is no room left, the bag will be gate checked and you will pick it up at baggage claim at MCO.

If you are using ME and did not attach the yellow tags, just give them your claim tags when you check in at their counter, they will pick them up and bring them to your room.

 

[Halle]

Air Tran gate checked bags can only be picked up at the carousel.

 

[Jestocost]

The flt attendants are monitoring the boarding process constantly, no one seating on row 36 should place their bags by row 15. So, when group 5 is called to board all the overheads above those seats should be empty and you should not have any problem.

A nice theory, but I have a hard time seeing that this will be how it works in practice. For one, Group 1 also includes Gold flyers and can be quite large depending on the airport anr route. Those passengers can be sitting anywhere and a high percentage are business travelers who are more likely to have a rollerboard to put overhead. Also, if a passenger seated in row 18 sees that everything from 15 back is full they are just going to put their bag as far back as possible which may be above the seat of someone who is boarding later. I can't imagine that the FAs are going to be able to monitor all of that activity nor do I see that there's much of a chance that most of them will actively be forcing anyone to gate check a legal carry-on bag if there's still overhead space available. The fact is that the people who board last are going to be the most likely to have to check their legal carry ons due to space limitations.

 

[DebbieB]

When I have gate-checked items, I'm usually given the choice of whether I want to get it when I get off the plane, or if I want it to be sent through to the carousel.

It depends on the airline and type of plane. On regional jets with small overheads, they will typically bring them up to the jetway. When it's a full size plane and the overheads are full, they typically send them to baggage claim. Again, it may vary by airline.

What I would do is when the group 4 people lineup to board, make sure you are right behind them so that you are in the front of the group 5 people.

 

[TaraPA]

Air Tran gate checked bags can only be picked up at the carousel.

It was Airtran I flew that gate checked them to the outside of the aircraft as we de-planed. So they are not always sent to the baggage carousel. Might depend on the size of the plane/airport.

 

[Hannathy]

Boarding groups on AA are based on seat assigment , they board the plane from the back to the front. Group 2 rows 31-36 and the exit row seats, Group 3 rows 31-26, Group 4 rows 25-21 Group 5 rows 20-15 Group 6 rows 15-9 (I'm using these as an example, it is not an accurate group assignment). Group 1 is now assigned to passengers who pay the priority access fee. The flt attendants are monitoring the boarding process constantly, no one seating on row 36 should place their bags by row 15. So, when group 5 is called to board all the overheads above those seats should be empty and you should not have any problem. In case there is no room left, the bag will be gate checked and you will pick it up at baggage claim at MCO.

If you believe this I have some nice ocean front property in North Dakota........

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

For $10.... AA allows you to board with group 1.

Go check your itinerary details and purchase the option if you're REALLY concerned.. but even boarding last on standby there's almost always space in the overhead bins. The only time I have seen gate checking in the last couple of years is in and around Thanksgiving and Christmas.