Originally Posted by
Tedgrrrr
Exactly, you pick up your bags when you go through customs, and then just go out the normal exit. If there is no line up for the baggage desk behind the baggage carousels, it's not a bad idea to let them know that you're going to skip the second flight - just as a courtesy. I always do this in case someone wants my seat, or so they don't hold the plane for me, etc.
But that might trigger a refare of the ticket in a revenue situation.
I.e. NRT-YVR-YYC-LAX, skipping segments 2 and 3 raise the price of the ticket.
Which can be hundreds or thousands of dollars (i.e.YVR-LHR-YVR, throwaway segment)