OK that's useful information. If one were doing an international flight where the first segment is a domestic flight and you wanted to keep your hand luggage with you are there any options to this problem. I always like to carry hand luggage with at least a set of clothes and essentials that will not fit into the personal item for obvious reasons like mitigating the risk of checked luggage getting lost.

On some flights with smaller planes all carry ons are valet checked but the carrys ons are retrieved on the jet bridge. Is such as option available for gate checked bags without having them go to the carousel for international travelers?