Maybe you want to get thru security early and make your way to the gate, and hangout nearby - with a full flight and standbys, everyone with their rollers & spinners, GA sometimes will start the PA announcement early & offer to gate check for free so that they can "speed" up the boarding process for a fast turnaround & not to drag down their on-time #'s, especially if the inbound is late for whatever reasons and summer storm is rolling in ...

Assumed you are flying mainline and not regional/express? At the ticket counter, not a chance for freebies