Originally Posted by
milesfinder
IMHO, I'm not sure that it's really fair to compare US to WN in regards to bag check-in time restrictions. It's a different process and product due to the actual number and types of bags (interline or not) handled by each in PHX.
US checks interline bags (to and from other airlines) and WN really doesn't except maybe for ATA. WN's process is limited and simpler, therefore takes less time.
WN has a 45 minute rule in place for PHX as well. However, they will allow you to "late check" a bag which means it may or may not fly with you, at their option, and they're not responsible to get the bag to you later if it doesn't make your flight. However, I've been told that has limitations - you can't show up 20 minutes before flight time and still have them "late check" your bag. WN is also worse than most airlines at saying "you missed your check in time and will have to take the next flight - the fare difference is XXX dollars (they don't do standby if you get to the airport too late for your flight.)
According to the TSA, a passenger may NOT elect to travel separate from their bag, but the airline may at their discretion put the bag on a different flight than the passenger.