But, I've also shown up within the 45-minute cut-off time twice now at LAX, having missed it by ~5 mintues each time, and managed to check my bag. I got a slap on the wrist, a stern warning not to do it again and been told to sign a waiver acknowledging that my bag might not make my flight. It made my flight both times.

At least, I think it was only twice ...

At any rate, has that happened to anyone else? Maybe I just looked particularly pathetic and in need of extra consideration those days?