Originally Posted by
tornado163
Baggage and check-in are different?! Every time I've been to any airport, there's only been 1 line for everyone. And usually, even after I check in online, and show the printed boarding pass to the agent, they still ask me to use the kiosk and scan my ID or credit card to check in and print a "proper" boarding pass. Despite the fact that I printed a full boarding pass complete with bar code. It makes me wonder what the point of checking in online is when I will be checking baggage, other than confirming my seat assignment and pre-paying if there's a baggage fee.
The strangest case was at LHR when the queue goes by security agents checking ID to kiosks en route to the actual service desk / baggage drop. Other passengers gave me dirty looks as I cut past them at the kiosks, despite me quietly mumbling that I already had my boarding pass and didn't need the kiosk.
tornado163, most hubs and larger airports assign different banks of kiosks/desks for different functions. EWR has separate areas designated for UA.com Bag Drop, Economy Checkin, and PA checkin. Essentially all of the desks can perform all of the same functions, but pax are self-selecting their line based on their needs. (A kettle could use the normal checkin line to check a bag, but they couldn't use the bag drop line if they need to see an agent about reaccommodation, for example.) All of the kiosks are running the same interface, and provide the same options.
Outstations forgo the dedicated bag drop line - that may be why you haven't encountered it. FYI, however, even if you are prompted to use the kiosk to find your PNR, you can skip the BP reprint by tapping Finish.