the issue for me is if it's an rj/non-mainline aircraft vs mainline as with mainline, one has to go to baggage claim but if an rj, you (hopefully) get your bag planeside* and that can make a difference (and especially if you have a connecting flight where the equipment is mainline and you want to have your bag on-board with you on your connecting flight).


*some stations (i.e. rno) are notorious for effing up gate checked luggage to planeside pickup and sending it directly to baggage claim and at rno, molasses flows faster than getting your bags at baggage claim