Question about checking a bag on a 7-segment trip
#1
Original Poster
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars




Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,070
On my psuedo-MR, I have the following itinerary:
Outbound: SAT-EWR-AVP-EWR-SEA-CLE-EWR-AVP
Inbound, 2 days later: AVP-EWR-SAT
It was booked as: SAT-AVP-SEA-AVP-SAT
I need to transport a few things for AVP that I cannot carry past TSA. When I get to SAT, will they let me check the bag for the 7-segment run, even if there's a layover in AVP before I 'stop' there for 2 days? The first stop in AVP will be the day before the second visit and I don't care if the bag sits there waiting for me.
I have a feeling that it might be easier to just ship the items, even though it'll be expensive... thoughts?
Outbound: SAT-EWR-AVP-EWR-SEA-CLE-EWR-AVP
Inbound, 2 days later: AVP-EWR-SAT
It was booked as: SAT-AVP-SEA-AVP-SAT
I need to transport a few things for AVP that I cannot carry past TSA. When I get to SAT, will they let me check the bag for the 7-segment run, even if there's a layover in AVP before I 'stop' there for 2 days? The first stop in AVP will be the day before the second visit and I don't care if the bag sits there waiting for me.
I have a feeling that it might be easier to just ship the items, even though it'll be expensive... thoughts?
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
On my psuedo-MR, I have the following itinerary:
Outbound: SAT-EWR-AVP-EWR-SEA-CLE-EWR-AVP
Inbound, 2 days later: AVP-EWR-SAT
It was booked as: SAT-AVP-SEA-AVP-SAT
I need to transport a few things for AVP that I cannot carry past TSA. When I get to SAT, will they let me check the bag for the 7-segment run, even if there's a layover in AVP before I 'stop' there for 2 days? The first stop in AVP will be the day before the second visit and I don't care if the bag sits there waiting for me.
I have a feeling that it might be easier to just ship the items, even though it'll be expensive... thoughts?
Outbound: SAT-EWR-AVP-EWR-SEA-CLE-EWR-AVP
Inbound, 2 days later: AVP-EWR-SAT
It was booked as: SAT-AVP-SEA-AVP-SAT
I need to transport a few things for AVP that I cannot carry past TSA. When I get to SAT, will they let me check the bag for the 7-segment run, even if there's a layover in AVP before I 'stop' there for 2 days? The first stop in AVP will be the day before the second visit and I don't care if the bag sits there waiting for me.
I have a feeling that it might be easier to just ship the items, even though it'll be expensive... thoughts?
Even if it can be done I dont think Id do it unless I for sure didnt want to see the bag or box ever again
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 405
I suspect your biggest problem will be going through the same cities more than once - this confuses the computer and makes it spit out luggage tags for a mid-point instead of an end-point. CO Insider commented on this issue here when I flew BWI-EWR-BOS-EWR-CLT:
You'll have to get an agent to hand-tag your bags on the flights to get them all the way through (or to a specific point). These tags only hold a couple of flights apiece, so they will probably have to staple or tape multiple ones together. This creates a ridiculously long "streamer" hanging off the bag, and twice now I've caught a mistake in a flight number on a hand-tag (so double check everything the agent is writing).
All in all, I might ship the stuff. It'll make things easier and more likely to arrive without issue. I'd avoid risks and drawing too much attention to your itinerary - multi-segment trips with a lot of seemingly redundant stops seem to frighten and confuse the counter staff.
Our systems are unable to automatically generate a "roundtrip" bagtag whereby the same connecting city is listed twice, nor are we supposed to skip flights or short-check. Any exceptions made to these guidelines are on a case-by-case basis, and as you've found, they'll be handled a little different each time. Please keep these risks in mind when booking a quick-turn mileage run and checking bags.
All in all, I might ship the stuff. It'll make things easier and more likely to arrive without issue. I'd avoid risks and drawing too much attention to your itinerary - multi-segment trips with a lot of seemingly redundant stops seem to frighten and confuse the counter staff.
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Nothing - I'm useless!
Posts: 2,441
I'd honestly have no realistic hope of that bag arriving - mail it to yourself.
#5
Original Poster
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars




Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,070
Not ever seeing the bag again wasn't a big concern of mine... it's just a few things that my mom wanted that she can't get in PA and don't have much value. I decided to email CO to see if there was an official word (and so I could take the proof to SAT with me in the slim chance they said that it could be done). Unfortunately, it can't (bolding mine):
At least they didn't say "This is a very unusual travel plan and I encourage you to book more sane segments in the future"
Originally Posted by Email From CO
[snip]
I do apologize in this matter you will not be able to check your bag all the way through.
I have contacted the airport concerning this issue. With the amount of connections you have the bag tag printer only has the ability to print 5 segments from your travel plan. Also 7 segments would increase the possibilities of a ramp agent being confused during the transfer process. This is a very unusual travel plan and I encourage you to possibly consider travelling with a carry-on bag.
[snip]
I do apologize in this matter you will not be able to check your bag all the way through.
I have contacted the airport concerning this issue. With the amount of connections you have the bag tag printer only has the ability to print 5 segments from your travel plan. Also 7 segments would increase the possibilities of a ramp agent being confused during the transfer process. This is a very unusual travel plan and I encourage you to possibly consider travelling with a carry-on bag.
[snip]
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
Not ever seeing the bag again wasn't a big concern of mine... it's just a few things that my mom wanted that she can't get in PA and don't have much value. I decided to email CO to see if there was an official word (and so I could take the proof to SAT with me in the slim chance they said that it could be done). Unfortunately, it can't (bolding mine):
At least they didn't say "This is a very unusual travel plan and I encourage you to book more sane segments in the future"
At least they didn't say "This is a very unusual travel plan and I encourage you to book more sane segments in the future"


