Originally Posted by dhuey

Hi folks. Several FlyerTalkers over the years have mentioned how it's possible to check your bag on a United domestic flight in United International Terminal check-in area, but I thought I'd make it a thread here in the SF forum because it can be a great option.

Last month, I took BART to SFO, as I often do. The SFO BART station exits into the International Terminal on the G-side, and that's where you'll find United's check-in area. There was no one in line and one agent there when I arrived around 8 am. She was friendly and happy to let me check my bag there, but she was concerned that I might misunderstand where my gate was. I explained that I knew I was departing from the F Concourse, and that I intended to use the International-G security line (barely anyone in line there) and take the airside corridor to F (right after G security, turn right and follow the signs to F).

So, not only was I able to part with my checked bag soon after exiting BART, but I had two very short lines at baggage check-in and at security. Win-win-win, and it's an option for anyone on United. Nice thing too is that if the United check-in line in International is long, you can simply skip it and head to domestic check-in (though it might be long there, too). Likewise, if the International-G security line is long, you can simply walk over to F security.