Originally Posted by
ezak
I'm pretty sure it will be open because there's another flight 2 hours before mine. I also learned this the hard way once at DFW when there's no one at the counter 4.5 hours prior, so this time I checked flight schedules to make sure this's at least a possibility.
Another potential problem is the Agriculture inspection station for AS. All checked bags need an Ag inspection sticker before they are accepted. And you must use the Ag station for your designated airline. Meaning you can’t go down to a different Ag station and then bring your bag back to AS. The stickers are color coded. I once went to check my paddle board in at 9am for a 2pm flight and the AG station wasn’t open yet. I believe it opened at 10am. Once I got the sticker, I had no problem checking it in but by then of course, it was T-4 hours.
They seem to open 2 hours before the first flight which fits with my memory of 10am. Since there is another flight 2hrs before the OP’s flight, it shouldn't be a problem. If s/he was on the first flight, 2 hours prior would be the earliest. Whether they will enforce the 4 hours prior rule for the OP is the unknown.
USDA inspection stations are located in front of the airline check-in counters. USDA inspection stations usually open at the same time as the airline check-in counters (generally two hours prior to a flight). You must go through the inspection station that is located in front of your airline check-in counter.