Originally Posted by
KARFA
...you need a manned desk able to take BA bags early or some self serve desks able to do the same. So having a bag store at the airport does not automatically translate in to an actual ability to bag drop early with BA.
An increasing number of US airports utilize CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment) and CUPPS (Common Use Passenger Processing Systems) to support international carriers with only a few daily departures. Four hours before a BA flight leaves, some other airline may occupy the check-in desks and bag-tagging area. It is possible to show up way too early and find no evidence of BA.