Originally Posted by
GUWonder
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.
I've had an issue there as well w/ the Doona. I gate-checked the Doona and explicitly told them that I didn't want to pick it up at the gate when we land but have it checked all the way through to our final destination - tagged, etc (we had a short layover in between and we were just going to carry the little munchkin in the bjorn). I thought I was pretty clear and it seemed they understood what i wanted.
However, when we landed for our layover - we were in a remote stand - deplaned and boarded a bus to zip us to our terminal. As the bus starts to pull away a divine person tapped me on the shoulder - seeing i was carrying a baby - pointed out the window and asked, "Is that yours?" Sure enough, sitting idly in the middle of the tarmac all by its lonesome was our glorious Doona. I screamed at the bus driver to "STOP" - basically pushed past him - may have shoved an old lady out of the way to get to the front door - and charged out onto the tarmac presumably against some flight regulations and snatched the Doona.
Anyways, again - it seems the easiest thing to do is simply carry the damn thing on the plane if i can fit it and know exactly where it is and where it's going at all times.