I've got an unusual situation, and NW hasn't been particularly helpful. My fiancee and I are flying together tomorrow. We are booked on separate PNRs because both of us are going in different directions on the return leg of the journey. We will be checking luggage---a lot of it, which is likely to be just at the weight limit, maybe even over, and contain household items that the TSA is going to love to search through. It's going to take some time to get sorted out. I plan to get to the airport 90 minutes or more in advance to get the luggage checked. Unfortunately, my fiancee will be tied up in meetings until just before flight time, and will need to arrive at the last minute, fly through security, and straight to the plane (generally not a problem at BOS).

Ideally, we'd check in on-line, I'd check the luggage, hang out at the WorldClub, and meet her at the gate for departure. Unfortunately, since there's a lot of luggage, I will need to check it in both of our names. Since we're on different PNRs, though, NW claims I will not be allowed to check in luggage on her allowance.

As a Delta PM, I know the rules and regs quite will on DL, but have no idea what sort of resistance I'm going to face from NW. The phone agents have been quite unhelpful, stating simply that it can't be done, and they cannot join our PNRs to make it possible. Anybody have any suggestions, other than going to the airport and hoping they let me slide? Worst case, I either pay a huge charge for extra baggage since I have to check it all in under my name, or we miss the flight waiting for my fiancee to show so we can check it under both names. I'd like to avoid either.