mrshoes

Family traveling LAX-SYD with lotsa bags! The logistics of getting around 15 bags to the airport reasonably has made me consider dropping off some bags early if possible.

Delta's website and policy doesn't make it clear as to how early one may check in their baggage for an international flight. Some older FT posts and elsewhere on the web suggest that one can do so quite a bit earlier than the standard, "four hours prior" to flight.

I'd like to make an early run at the airport and drop off bags after early online check in. Then just accompany the family with our carry-ons only and enjoy the rest of the process...

Does anyone have anything definitive or can share of recent experiences?

MrShoes

flyerCO

Anytime desk are open, on same day of departure.

ATOBTTR

I'm not sure just *you* will be able to go to do it yourself. When you check-in with your/everyone else's bags, all documents and ID's will be checked and verified for all passengers checking bags. In addition to the fact that you'd be hit with massive excessive bag fees if you tried to check them all under your name, the max any single passenger can check per passenger is 10 bags.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/...weight-baggage

flyerCO

Good catch. I didn't realize OP was planning on doing it all himself.

ATOBTTR

I'm unaware of any luggage storage places at LAX and I'm not even sure this would be more convenient but if OP is US military or a military dependent that can access a USO, the Bob Hope USO at LAX is open and OP could take some bags there and store them then return later to pick them up and take them to the DL terminal to drop off. Not sure that would be more "convenient" or logistically easier to drop bags at the USO and then later upon return, have to go to the USO to get them and lug those bags from the USO to the DL Check-in counters, even if T-2 is just across the street from the USO, but throwing it out there as a possible option.

bobnchi

Of course the question is, do you really need all those bags?

El Boocho

I think anyway you do this it�s going to be a PITA. Personally, I�d just suck it up and do it all at once. If you have multiple adults, you could divide and conquer instead of doing the check in with one agent. One agent weighing, tagging, etc 15 bags will take a long time.
Another thought, if you have younger kids, have them organize the bags or otherwise help you. It will keep them busy. If you have older kids make them do the check in for you (under your supervision) so they learn.

JBJ2435

If I had that much, I would probably opt to ship the stuff ahead of time instead of the hassle of checking it all in for the flight.

bsagator

Just order a uber suv to tail your family as a luggage car. Then they can help with the check in process.

CPMaverick

You should be able to check bags anytime on the day of departure, as noted. I have done this for LAX-SYD flights on DL before (although it was 4 years ago), when I wanted to spend the day in LA with a long connection (>10 hours).

The issue is, you cannot check other people's baggage. You can check more bags under your name, up to a limit (don't recall what that is), although it may be more expensive to do it that way. Check the bag limits.

BHammy

Me going through LAX. Normally it's me +1 or +2 and it's not so bad. Or on my outbound to SYD, I hired a porter to walk with me to customs (back of TBT at the time) to clear my carnet.
On the return, no such joy. Had to mush this cart thru customs again, across the county, up the hill to recheck.
And yes, I needed all that gear - that load is down about 30% from previous years.

As other noted, anytime should be good to get it checked.
And if you have a connection on VA, don't let them make you have to recheck your bags in SYD if you have a long layover. (like, out of customs, upstairs, instead of transfer desk)
Spent 30 mins with 3 supervisors and phone agent dealing with one D1 counter agent who wouldn't check bags thru to BNE because my layover was just under 12 hours.
The rule (in Nov, 2019) was that anything less than 24h can be checked thru...the final supervisor knew this well and got me on my way.

flyerCO

12hrs is DL-DL connection. It can be overriden by agent.

24hrs is DL-OAL.

mrshoes

I should be able to check-in immediate family so I don't anticipate the issues suggested in the previous two responses.

Thanks.

mrshoes

That's always the existential question, isn't it? Wish it were an option, but if you are traveling for something other than pleasure - one needs their stuff.

mrshoes

With that many pelicans BHammy - you don't mess around. I thought lugging one/two was bad enough!