Originally Posted by
cbn42
Hello,
I would appreciate any guidance Flyertalkers have about a situation I experienced recently.
I was flying domestically in the US with no checked luggage and a carry-on roll-aboard bag that is well within the legal dimensions. However, the flight was full and the GA was making announcements encouraging people to gate check their bags free of charge.
When I was in the jetway, the FA announced there was "no more space" on board and all remaining bags would have to be checked in. A couple of people ahead of me complied.
I had valuable and fragile objects in my bag that were not packed appropriately to be checked in, and I explained this to the FA. She was understanding, but said that she couldn't do anything about it. When I refused to check in my bag, she eventually said that my only other option was to wait for the next flight. I said that would be fine. It was Friday and I didn't need to be home until Sunday, so no problem as long as they could get me on another flight within the next two days. She told me to go back outside and re-book.
The GA, however, was having none of it. She immediately told me that if I didn't hand over my bag to be checked in and board the flight before the doors closed, I would "forfeit" my ticket. I asked if there was space on another flight that day, and she said yes, plenty of space, if you buy a new ticket at the walk-up price. She obviously didn't want to deal with me, so she told me to go outside and talk to the folks at the ticket counter.
They weren't helpful either, and basically told me that I was a no-show and my ticket had been canceled and I could buy a new one. Eventually, I decided to hop onto the BART and took a Megabus down to LA instead of flying.
What are the policies regarding this? Can you be "forced" to check in your bag? If you refuse, are there any other options?
You're both in the wrong. There's no guarantee of overhead space unless you're flying on a premium ticket or have early boarding status and you're there to board. You have to plan for that.
The Gate Agent could have handled it differently. They have leeway to rebook someone. They were just being difficult. You could head to customer service or see a manager.
Write them and complain about that person specfically. It's not like these folks are getting paid NFL money, they're low on the totem pole and complaints have an impact on them.