I have a 10:05 p.m. departure from SAN, but I may get to the airport much earlier. The last time something like this happened to me, it was a SFO, and DL wouldn't accept a checked bag until 4 hours before departure.

Now, a DL online agent tells me that SAN won't accept it until 2 hours before departure. Is this true? If so, what could I do to mitigate the inconvenience?