Originally Posted by
ffsim
It's a huge PITA and one of the reasons I strongly prefer carry-on luggage if there's any chance I'll want to standby for a different flight. Of course it's not always convenient or possible, but fully agree with OP -- avoid checked baggage whenever possible!
Depends on your circumstance - I always check 3 bags even on a 1-2 day trip, as I want to roll the dice on baggage. I think I'm part of the small group that is hoping NOT to see their bag come off the conveyor belt, and disappointed when it does.
Originally Posted by
phbl
i'm pretty sure you can fly earlier, but your bags will not be transferred to the other flight (unless they're doing you a huge favor), so i'd assume you would have to arrange the pickup of your bags in yow. it's ok for pax to travel ahead of bags but not the other way.
Never, from my experience - I've always been asked first whether I have checked bags or not, and told that I cannot be standby if I do. The "you cannot travel without your bags due to safety/security issues", although I'm sure we've all had the experience of not having our bags make a flight. This is almost always on the YYZ-YOW flight, my usual home leg of flying.
Also, it is legally alright for your bags to travel ahead of you - last month United sent me a text that my bags had arrived on an earlier flight, and that I should go to the baggage counter to pick them up.
In all cases, it seems to be that your bags can be on an earlier/later flight due to luggage loading issues, load issues, "we forgot a cargo container on the tarmac" (best announcement over a PA), etc., but not at the request of a PAX.