Originally Posted by
rove312
The first flight was delayed, adding to a tight connection at ATL between high B and high A gates. I got to the second flight late in the process, and probably would have had a problem finding overhead space.
So, I wound up checking the bag for free, had easy boarding on the first flight and, since I was waiting for people on later flights, the wait at baggage claim wasn't a drawback.
Glad it worked out. Just to repeat something in case any infrequent flyers pull this thread up because they are facing the same issue...
As you learned, baggage moves faster through ATL than humans. People often make the mistake, especially when they are coming into ATL on an RJ, of carrying on bags when they have a tight connection, thinking it's the only way the luggage will arrive with them. These people are often stunned at the long wait at the top of the Jetway while the luggage is loaded onto the freight elevator and everyone stands and waits for a GA to come and open the door. The luggage winds up not being on the next flight, because the passenger missed the flight due to the fifteen minute wait for the carry-on. The same passenger and luggage would have been on the flight had the luggage been checked.
One of the reasons baggage claim can be a nightmare in ATL is because local bags are behind connection bags in priority, so when things get skittish, final destination baggage sits, while connecting bags get raced from plane to plane.