Originally Posted by mcjava

"a ticket that checks the bags all the way" is what I always got flying ATL-PVG (DL), then CZ (DL Codeshare) PVG-CAN.

It doesn't matter-- at PVG (or any mainland airport, IIRC), you must clear customs with our bags, and then there is not a desk/belt right there to drop off bags that have "a ticket that checks the bags all the way", like in most US airports.

You have to take the bags out of customs, then find the check-in counter for your next flight. And the earliest they will accept your bag for the ongoing flight is when the counter opens for check-in, so in my case, with a 5 to 6 hour layover both ways, I had to push my bags around PVG for many, many hours before being able to get rid of them. And of course no elevator to second level restaurants in the new PVG terminal, so felt like a ball and chain severely limiting where I could wander.