Originally Posted by
RobbieRunner
If you can get it through security, they will not charge you for gate-checking it.
Beware, however, that some airports and some airlines put your gate-checked items in general baggage. DFW does with with American.
If you gate-check something, they simply put it in general baggage, and you do not pick it up at the gate, you pick it up at baggage claim.
This is really serious if you are gate-checking something of value that you would never check as general baggage!
Bolding mine: That all depends on a) the type of aircraft b) what you're checking and c) the arrival (or connecting) airport.
If gate checking a child seat and/or stroller, that should be brought to the jetbridge or plane-side if an R/J (or at least ask the g/a if it will be tagged to do that) [whether or not it happens is another story
]
If you are gate checking your wheelie because it won't fit on an RJ, it should be waiting for you on the tarmac (but whether or not it happens is another story
)
Certain airports are notorious for sending "true gate checked luggage" (i.e. you are supposed to, and are expecting to, receive it plane side upon arrival) to baggage claim (RNO is one of them)