Originally Posted by
Often1
All that means is that there is an agreement between the carriers that they may check bags through. On separate tickets, many carriers choose not to and a few agents will nonetheless do it.
Correct, that's why I said 'may'. I've been able to through-check bags to the final destination of a second ticket. That was on a UA/AC combination a few years ago. Personally I would do as you suggested and leave a great deal more time for both connection points.