I have a Basic Economy ticket on a very short flight (PWM-EWR), but it looks like I'll be at the airport much earlier than I expected. (Also United apparently had changed their rules that allows Basic Economy passengers to be added to a standby list.)

I'm wondering if it's possible to try to add myself to the standby list on an earlier flight, if I also have a checked bag? I read somewhere that it's possible to be on standby with a checked bag as the bag would go to the earlier flight—which I'm OK with—but I'm reading mixed things whether this would happen.

Do I ask to be added to the standby list at the check-in counter and get my bags checked there then? Would it actually be possible to fly standby if I'd like to check my bag?