I checked skis two week ago at EWR at the non-premier check-in desks on level 2 (didn't feel like hauling them upstairs). I got the bag tagged and then wheeled the bag down to the end and dropped it off. I stood around for 15 minutes watching the skis in the corner and no action for my "oversized bag".

I had get over to B for my GE interview so I couldn't stick around to watch it get taken away. 40 minutes later, I returned back to C and sure enough my bag still hadn't been taken away. Waiting around for 15 more minutes, it was finally wheeled away.

Over an hour to get a bag into the system is a little ridiculous. The whole time there were plenty of guys standing around pushing the carts with normal sized luggage to elevators. I guess that's why UA requires bags to be checked 45 minutes prior at EWR?