Gate-checking items for gate-delivery can cause delays at time, so there may be times to attempt to do something else. Gate-checking for baggage-belt/oversize station delivery is something else that is possible rather often, but you should ask for that arrangement if you want that. Doing this latter thing would help avoid the issue of “falling behind” for immigration/passport control (and, if applicable, transit pax security screening) purposes while waiting by the plane for the gate/jetbridge-area delivery of the item.