United forcing to gate check a bag to destination
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
This happened to me last night in Newark... As I'm boarding with my roll aboard that I always place in the bin, agent singled me out and said the bag had to be checked. I asked if the bins were full already (I'm in boarding group 2) and the agent said no, the bag was just too big. I explained that I always am able to fit the bag into the bin with room to spare, and the agent wouldn't relent. After I argued a little more he said I could try it in the bag sizer and if it fit, I could bring it on... So I try it and it fits perfectly into the sizer and he still said it had to be checked. I thought this was absurd and I brought the bag down the jetway with me, but I tore off the tag and put it up in the bin anyway as usual.
Just curious why the agent would single me out and do this for no reason? Not only did he insist on checking the bag for no apparent reason, but he was quite combative and aggressive about the whole situation. Is there any policy that they are following here?
Just curious why the agent would single me out and do this for no reason? Not only did he insist on checking the bag for no apparent reason, but he was quite combative and aggressive about the whole situation. Is there any policy that they are following here?
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
This happened to me last night in Newark... As I'm boarding with my roll aboard that I always place in the bin, agent singled me out and said the bag had to be checked. I asked if the bins were full already (I'm in boarding group 2) and the agent said no, the bag was just too big. I explained that I always am able to fit the bag into the bin with room to spare, and the agent wouldn't relent. After I argued a little more he said I could try it in the bag sizer and if it fit, I could bring it on... So I try it and it fits perfectly into the sizer and he still said it had to be checked. I thought this was absurd and I brought the bag down the jetway with me, but I tore off the tag and put it up in the bin anyway as usual.
Just curious why the agent would single me out and do this for no reason? Not only did he insist on checking the bag for no apparent reason, but he was quite combative and aggressive about the whole situation. Is there any policy that they are following here?
Just curious why the agent would single me out and do this for no reason? Not only did he insist on checking the bag for no apparent reason, but he was quite combative and aggressive about the whole situation. Is there any policy that they are following here?
when he asked you for the final destination for the bag tag, you should have said "your mom's house"
#93
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
No way to answer this one without reading an employee's mind. There are bad apples in every bunch, and you might have just run into one.
#94
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,311
is your bag the type that won't fit in the overhead compartment wheels in or wheels out and takes up most of the overhead compartment because it has to go in sideways?
-David
-David
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
You've learned the same lesson I have. GAs are notorious for lacking spatial reasoning. Arguing with such people just demeans yourself. Just accept the tag, and be sure to remove before the FA sees it.
#96
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 197
Is this a common thing to be policed like this? I've never experienced it before now but it seems some others have experienced this same thing.
#97
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
In general, I'm all for zero tolerance on this stuff. If it were better enforced, it would also make the entire boarding process better. Frankly, as in the old days when F boarded last, it would be great to board at leisure, not as part of the scrum to locate OH space.
#98
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,311
I don't know if it's common or not since I usually board with group 1.
I liked your solution.
-David