Originally Posted by
Globaliser
For any bag to which you don't really need to have access in flight, this service is great, because you get it back at/near the aircraft when you arrive, not on the carousel.
Yes, that's why I'm looking at BA/Comair for future trips into Southern Africa. SAA made me gate check a bag on the air bridge a flight out to Harare and an item went missing from it. I'd much prefer the European gate check approach (i.e. they take the bag from you outside the aircraft and you pick it up outside of the aircraft).
Edit: Though knowing Comair's allowance is less, I'd rather plan for less, take a small rucksack from my camera stuff and a laptop bag to go under the seat.