Originally Posted by dmitzel
If you're not EUA'ed and have three bags to check in, how about checking two at the ticket counter and bringing the third to the gate. Once you, or the GA, or a FA decide it's too big to fit in the overhead, ask to gate check the bag.
Or, is this too simple of an approach (from one who never travels with more than a 21" roller and a laptop bag)?
Yes, it usually is to simple. If you can get it through X-ray and to the gate you could check it at the gate. And it is possible if it is a carry-on size bag. If it is an ocean liner trunk though, I don't think that approach would work very well.