Originally Posted by
jaloola
My checked baggage was recently refused in SFO as I missed the cut-off time for domestic flights of 0:40 at bag drop despite paying baggage fees and printing bag tags at the self-tag kiosk at 0:41. I understand it is my responsibility to arrive at the airport in time to check bags prior to the cut-off time, but I rarely check bags on AS and I was curious about your experiences.
1. Does AS not offer to late check bags after the cut-off time if you agree the bags may or may not make the flight?
2. Does anyone else have any experience with missing the checked baggage cut-off time on AS by a couple minutes, especially with elite status?
AS will not accept any late baggage. AS, like most airlines will not accept a late check bag even if you agree to Voluntary Separation, because there is no such thing as a VS bag. If the airline accepts the bag, late or other wise, and it does not arrive with the passenger, they are required to deliver it to the customer. Also, a "VS" bag still has to have a baggage claim opened and that claim is still counted by the DOT towards the airline mishandled numbers, (That is a big reason AS stopped taking bags after cut off). The old days of a courtesy V/S'ing of baggage has mostly been done away with by many airlines for those reason. AS is unbending because they've found a hard cutoff helps get the jet out on schedule, keeps the mishandled numbers down and of course, lowers their costs by not having to deliver delayed items. During my time, there were certain policies that were not allowed to be bent for anyone, including those with status. This was one of them. As for any individual agents deviating from accepting late checks? YMMV