Checked Luggage question
 

I was due to fly out of IAD to LAX this morning and got there 44 minutes before departure. In trying to check in my luggage I was told that I could not do that. I was not under the 45 min before departure time limit to check luggage. :mad: If the agent had not wasted 15 minutes just looking around, I think she could have checked me and my luggage in...

Anyone else exprience this problem. Didn't know even as a 1k that the agent would not let me get on the flight (I think they had plenty of time to check in the luggage). I checked with the gate agent at the gate where my original flight was from, and she said that it is upto the agent checking me in but she could have gotten me in if she was there.

Any thoughts...... One thing is for sure, I will not be late anymore, what a pain......... :rolleyes:

Perhaps there is a typo? You said you got there 44 minutes before departure but you were not under the 45 minute cutoff?? Seems like you were...

This has also happened with me, also at IAD. The only way around this is to wait for the next flight, or to see if you can get through security with your bag and check it at the gate (which can work if its not too big). ;)

It does depend entirely on the agent ... sometimes they are more than willing to help, sometimes they aren't, and sometimes they can't, but it does sound like this one could have done something to help get you on the right flight.

I've had the same thing happen twice... each with completely different outcomes.

First time, I showed up 40 min before departure and was told the flight was closed. Unfortunately there weren't any other flights that night, so the agent marked my bag as a 'Late Bag' and told me that if it didn;t make the flight, they woud send it on the next available flight, but it would be my responsibility to come pick it up. Bottom line is I made my flight and so did my bag.

Second time, I showed up 40 min before a TED departure and was told I had to get rebooked as I missed the cutoff. Instead of markingit as a late bag, I was told I had to sit in SFO for 10 hours (with my 4 yr old daughter) until the next flight I could be confirmed on. No amount of pleading, reasoning, or logic would sway this agent in her ways.

Its hit or miss with the agents you get... and unfortunately you can't "hang up and call back" when you're standing there in line. :td:

Happened to me at SFO once: hit Mr. Checkin at 45 minutes. Told me
it couldn't check my bags due to 45 minute limit. Then went to
CSR counter and waited in line. Got to CSR at 30 minutes and
was told I couldn't get a BP due to 30 minute limit...

Now I ALWAYS print a boarding pass.

I got lost returning my rental car in Hawaii so I got to the checkin 40 minutes before my flight was scheduled to depart. Luckily, the agent checked our bags in without any problems.

Once, I dropped my mother off at O'hare for a flight to LAX. The line was so long that she got to the checkin after the 45 mins limit. The agent wouldn't check her bag, but it was small enough that she was able to lug it through security and use it as a carryon.

In your case, I would have asked to speak to a supervisor. It technically was under 45 minutes, but I think one minute could be accomodated. I would have mentioned that the agent seemed to be doing nothing for 15 minutes--maybe working on some previous problem?

Next time use Easy Check-in at the airport kiosk and hopefully it won't be as much hassle. I think you got a bum agent. IAD and DCA have some bad apples at the counters, at the gates and at the RCCs.