Originally Posted by
JimInOhio
Also, unless the checked bag is small enough to carry on, you can't take it through TSA security onto the C Concourse (which at that point would be the only exit to landside). It would have to go on the recheck belt and then delivered to the final destination.
Thanks! Yes, the bag is too large to get through TSA, and you answered my question by confirming that there isn't a way in the C concourse area to get landside with my bag (not dropping it off at the recheck, not going through TSA). So, to keep my flexibility between the UA connection from IAD and the backup flight from DCA until I land at IAD and have a better sense of timing, I should not ask LH to through-check my bag (which would then lock me in to Concourse C customs/transit with no way to go landside with my bag and transfer to DCA, even if I can't make the UA flight - I wouldn't count on UA rebooking me on a later connection given that I'm on separate tickets). I'll just plan on having my bags tagged to IAD and decide on options once I clear everything at the main concourse.