Hi -

I've always had it in my head that if I'm checking bags and check them an hour or two before everyone else arrives at the airport then they're more likely to be misdirected than if I arrive and check bags at the "normal" time.

I imagine my bags sitting around for an hour on a lonely cart or in the corner while airline workers wait for the plane to show up or open up or whatever. Then, they load it with all of the bags that arrive en masse two hours before flight time (say, on an international flight), while my lonely bag sits in a corner forgotten until the end of the day, when the plane is long gone.

Does this actually happen? Should I wait to check bags until everyone else is checking them?

Crazy question, I know, but I went years without checking until very recently and need to get to the airport super early Friday to try to arrange a seat change. Am thinking about making the change and then keeping the bags for a while and returning to the counter when everyone else arrives to check in.

Thanks...