Originally Posted by
lowfareair
That would be difficult to do in the US outside of select one-offs given 1) bag check is pre-security and 2) practically nothing else is pre-security. In addition to risking passengers missing the flight, you are also forcing them to wait in an area with little to no seating, no food, drinks, lounges, shops, power outlets, etc. Would likely cause a hit to their satisfaction scores if people who get to the airport 2.5 hours early are told to wait in the check-in area for 90 minutes in the hope the flight isn't cancelled.
It would definitely only work in extremely serious circumstances. But that is exactly what Southwest was doing on our departure from SAN on 12/28. We waited for our flight to be called and then handed over the bags. Once they were checked, we went straight through security and directly onto the plane. The plane was maybe half full, so seating wasn't an issue - but with a full flight that would be a bigger issue, especially if A group got there later.