Can I just collect my bag before customs and immigration in SFO and recheck it to LHR at the United desk if the SYD agent won't check it to LHR? United are still getting my money and my business and I'm informing them I won't be making a flight, which will mean the flight won't be delayed waiting for me.
Can someone clarify what the policy is on check in? The agent pretty much implied that she's noted on my account that my bags are not to go to LHR unless I pay and that I'll be in trouble with TSA if I try otherwise.
You can certainly walk out of customs with all your bags. No one checks and no one cares. As for the TSA, they could care less about this.
I can't imagine UAL refusing to allow you to take a flight to London. Others will have to speak about any repercussions of skipping a last leg.