Originally Posted by
emma69
You could say to the check in agent that you are meeting a friend in connecting city, and need to give him his [hockey sticks] back there, so can it only be checked that far? might work?
Short-checking bags is expressly prohibited and won't work. Even asking will flag your PNR to make sure you completed the trip. Long story short, if you do this, don't check luggage and don't do it again. You risk losing your account (and elite status) as well as having your ticket refared at the existing price for a walk-up.
May be a small risk, but it's a risk.