Aug 16, 2022, 8:41 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Definitions
Gate Check / White Tags -- this can occur with mainline or UX, this is when not enough space remains in overhead bins for more carry-on. The GA will announce the need for gate check (rarely before boarding group 4 / non-elites, Basic Economy is BG5). You will receive a white tag before boarding and your bag will be checked thru to the destination, at no cost to you and go to the normal bag carousel
Valet Check / Green Tags -- as some UX overhead bins are too small for carry-on, rollaboards, as boarding you will drop your bag off (get a green tag) and it will be return to you as you arrive at the next airport. Sometimes this will be a cart as your board the aircraft, sometime an area in the jet ramp / jet way. There are some reports at very small airports with no connections, bags may go to the carousel -- this is very rare.
Gate Check / White Tags -- this can occur with mainline or UX, this is when not enough space remains in overhead bins for more carry-on. The GA will announce the need for gate check (rarely before boarding group 4 / non-elites, Basic Economy is BG5). You will receive a white tag before boarding and your bag will be checked thru to the destination, at no cost to you and go to the normal bag carousel
- Another gate check case is a Basic Economy customer attempting to bring a too large carry-on when not allowed for the route. The GA may force a gate check and charge the customer.
Valet Check / Green Tags -- as some UX overhead bins are too small for carry-on, rollaboards, as boarding you will drop your bag off (get a green tag) and it will be return to you as you arrive at the next airport. Sometimes this will be a cart as your board the aircraft, sometime an area in the jet ramp / jet way. There are some reports at very small airports with no connections, bags may go to the carousel -- this is very rare.
Green tagged bag - questions, experiences, ...
Jun 1, 2019, 2:48 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
I was told the same on a recent CRJ-200 flight between ORD and MDT (can't recall if this was on the outbound or return, but I think it was operated by SkyWest) - I boarded late at the end of the boarding process and despite having a small carryon that would normally fit in the small overhead bins, the bins in First Class were full. The gate agent told me she had to affix the green tag.
Jun 1, 2019, 3:21 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Jun 1, 2019, 6:24 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,888
Are you sure? I ask because until not that long ago - maybe 3 years ago, maybe 5, AC didn’t use any tags on their regional equipment, you just left it at the gate (and essentially hoped it made it on the plane, because there was no tracking document if it didn’t). This includes on Canada-US and vv flights, and bags were always handed back to me on arrival planeside.
Jun 1, 2019, 7:06 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
I (gate agent) always affix them myself. I look for all the things listed on the DoT sign at each podium that whoever accepts the bag is supposed to be looking for. Smart bags, condensation (sign there may be dry ice in bag) leaking fluids. I also check for existing damage. It takes about the same 1.5 seconds that affixing the tag does. You do know that even when you self tag in lobby, the tag isn’t activated until and agent activates it. Same thing (they are also checking size and weight.)
Jun 2, 2019, 5:36 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
Thank you, fastair. I always appreciate (all) your insider answers. This one perplexes me. I am unfamiliar with the green tags being activated, and wonder if it's a step that I haven't been aware of. IME, the only system that keeps track is my brain, and the only documentation is the matching ends.
Jun 3, 2019, 6:38 am
#51
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Yesterday, GA asked if I just wanted to keep my old green tag on my gate-checked roll-aboard but she had the new tag on the handle by the time she noticed the old one so it was kind of moot.
Jun 3, 2019, 12:18 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,548
I recently did UX DEN-STL (I can't remember which direction). I asked GA for a green tag. She looked very busy. She quickly gave me one and said, "I'm supposed to do it, but I trust you."
Jun 7, 2019, 12:29 am
#53
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
What is the 'propper' way to attach a green tag? I do it on the top handle for a roll on, actually, the handle that extends since my brief is sitting on the true handle.
I used to fly almost only UX flights. This year, it is almost all UA metal.
Jun 7, 2019, 7:03 am
#54
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Jun 20, 2019, 10:54 pm
#55
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX, ONT
Programs: Avios, Mileage Plus, Elevate, Skywards
Posts: 48
I was on an UAX flight in mid-May from SEA-LAX and prior to boarding, they made the typical statement carry-on bags won’t fit and will need to be put into hold. I witnessed the gate agent handing out the green tags to the pax to install themselves they headed down the jet bridge. I thought that was peculiarly as I always thought the agents strictly had to.
Feb 3, 2022, 6:48 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 2
On the crj and Erj-145 valet checked luggage are valet checked for weight and balance purposes as the cargo in the rear of the aircraft balances out the nose heavy aircraft.
My best advice (coming from a regional flight attendant). Never pack any valuables medications or your computer in your larger carry on (rollerboards, large duffels, and backpacks) as the flight attendant(s) will tell you to valet check your bag.
Also, your bag should be returned to the gate once you land but if you don’t pick it up at the gate it will be sent to the baggage claim. If it is sent straight to the baggage claim it is most likely due to the airport being short staffed or because weather conditions might restrict what the ramp agents can do.
My best advice (coming from a regional flight attendant). Never pack any valuables medications or your computer in your larger carry on (rollerboards, large duffels, and backpacks) as the flight attendant(s) will tell you to valet check your bag.
Also, your bag should be returned to the gate once you land but if you don’t pick it up at the gate it will be sent to the baggage claim. If it is sent straight to the baggage claim it is most likely due to the airport being short staffed or because weather conditions might restrict what the ramp agents can do.
May 7, 2022, 9:36 am
#58
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,125
My recollection is gate checked bags always go to bagge claim at the final destination. The exception would be for aircraft that can't accomodate carry-ons (typically 50 seat RJs).
May 7, 2022, 10:07 am
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Correct. And if you are on a flight where they're green-tagging bags, and you would prefer to pick the bag up at baggage claim at your final destination, take the bag to the gate agent and ask. They should be able to print bag tags there at no charge. Then, you'd just take the bag down the jetway and drop it off with all of the green-tagged bags, and it will be treated as checked baggage, not cabin baggage, from that point forward.
May 7, 2022, 12:26 pm
#60
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
I actually prefer (in fact - have to) pick up the bag at the connecting airport, and not the final destination. Will fly UX from DCA (CRJ 550), so presumably my full size rollaboard won't fit. So trying to gauge what are the chances they force my bag to be checked to the final destination.
P.S. Looking further, CRJ-550 seems to have more space for carryon bags than CRJ-200 (which is what I am used to).
P.S. Looking further, CRJ-550 seems to have more space for carryon bags than CRJ-200 (which is what I am used to).
Last edited by tr3k; May 7, 2022 at 12:40 pm