Can you drop off a carry on bag after arriving into the USA, but before next connection(s)?

[SeatBackForward]

I know that all baggage must be claimed and then re-checked when entering the US. But has anyone tried hand luggage only TO the US, then Dropping the bag off after clearing US customs?

My scenario is that I'm going SYD>LAX, then LAX>SEA where I have to visit people and collect some items, before continuing onto DCA, all on one ticket. The LAX connection is tight, and I don't want to have to wait for bags, and I can travel light. Can I land and clear customs in the US with HLO and then drop my bag off for it to go onwards to DCA? From memory of how this works at DFW, there are check-in counters there, so I should be able to get baggage stickers etc from there?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I know that all baggage must be claimed and then re-checked when entering the US. But has anyone tried hand luggage only TO the US, then Dropping the bag off after clearing US customs?

My scenario is that I'm going SYD>LAX, then LAX>SEA where I have to visit people and collect some items, before continuing onto DCA, all on one ticket. The LAX connection is tight, and I don't want to have to wait for bags, and I can travel light. Can I land and clear customs in the US with HLO and then drop my bag off for it to go onwards to DCA? From memory of how this works at DFW, there are check-in counters there, so I should be able to get baggage stickers etc from there?

Is the time in SEA just a few hours? If ‘yes’ you should be able to get the bags tagged LAX-SEA-DCA, and you won’t need to collect them in SEA. There is a bag drop immediately after customs in LAX for onward connections.

If you are overnighting in SEA, or spending a few days there, the bags will need to stop at SEA with you. The bags can only be tagged for a journey you are completing in the ‘same day’, ie the journey and coupons in your ticket for t continuous travel that day.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Is the time in SEA just a few hours? If ‘yes’ you should be able to get the bags tagged LAX-SEA-DCA, and you won’t need to collect them in SEA. There is a bag drop immediately after customs in LAX for onward connections.

If you are overnighting in SEA, or spending a few days there, the bags will need to stop at SEA with you. The bags can only be tagged for a journey you are completing in the ‘same day’, ie the journey and coupons in your ticket for t continuous travel that day.

Its a same day connection in SEA, not quite a few hours but not overnight also. So yes LAX>SEA>>DCA is where I'd like the bags to go (heck they can go direct to DCA for all I care!)

My question is more about the bag tags as I suspect that's where the hiccup with my plan might occur. Can I get them in LAX before the bag drop, if so where, I'd rather not have to leave the terminal and return to the front check-in counters? Can I request them in Sydney itself?

 

[SYD]

Its a same day connection in SEA, not quite a few hours but not overnight also. So yes LAX>SEA>>DCA is where I'd like the bags to go (heck they can go direct to DCA for all I care!)

My question is more about the bag tags as I suspect that's where the hiccup with my plan might occur. Can I get them in LAX before the bag drop, if so where, I'd rather not have to leave the terminal and return to the front check-in counters? Can I request them in Sydney itself?

At TBIT there used to be two ways to bagdrop. One if tagged and just pop it in the conveyer, the other way was to staff bag drop and they should be able to on check extra luggage.

It might vary by airline and possibly status.

 

[SeatBackForward]

At TBIT there used to be two ways to bagdrop. One if tagged and just pop it in the conveyer, the other way was to staff bag drop and they should be able to on check extra luggage.

It might vary by airline and possibly status.

It's all on AA as a OWE so that should be favourable somewhat.

I'm familiar with the conveyor belt and that's easy. Is the Staff bag drop like a transfer counter?

 

[SYD]

It's all on AA as a OWE so that should be favourable somewhat.

I'm familiar with the conveyor belt and that's easy. Is the Staff bag drop like a transfer counter?

Yes, but bagdrop / recheck facilities. I haven’t been through for a couple of years but it used to be in the same area.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Yes, but bagdrop / recheck facilities. I haven’t been through for a couple of years but it used to be in the same area.

That's sounding positive. And if this works, as I'll already have my boarding passes, they should be able to provide me the bag tags for LAX>>>DCA and I just drop off at the conveyor belt.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's sounding positive. And if this works, as I'll already have my boarding passes, they should be able to provide me the bag tags for LAX>>>DCA and I just drop off at the conveyor belt.

correct. At check in in Australia the tags will be printed all the way to the final destination stated on your ticket for that ‘day’. So DCA.

 

[SeatBackForward]

correct. At check in in Australia the tags will be printed all the way to the final destination stated on your ticket for that ‘day’. So DCA.

Hmm so, just extending that line of thought..

Could I arrive at SYD check-in, ask for the stickers, then simply ask for my bag to not be placed on the conveyor belt and carry it on board with me (I will only be taking a carry-on bag + personal item anyhow)? That way all the tags are already on and I just drop them onto the conveyor at LAX?

Or is that likely to cause some problems with tracking missing bags etc?


And in case anyone's wondering why I'm bothering with this. In Seattle I have to collect some more items that will include another carry-on sized bag, so just avoiding another round of check in drama.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hmm so, just extending that line of thought..

Could I arrive at SYD check-in, ask for the stickers, then simply ask for my bag to not be placed on the conveyor belt and carry it on board with me (I will only be taking a carry-on bag + personal item anyhow)? That way all the tags are already on and I just drop them onto the conveyor at LAX?

Or is that likely to cause some problems with tracking missing bags etc?


And in case anyone's wondering why I'm bothering with this. In Seattle I have to collect some more items that will include another carry-on sized bag, so just avoiding another round of check in drama.

Oh, I see what you mean now!

In this case I’m. it sure but intuitively I would think that any tags printed would be scanned to track the bags. So you couldn’t just get the tags but not lodge the bag?

You can just go to the drop off desk after customs in LAX and get them to print a tag there.

Alternatively, just exit with bag at LAX, arrive SEA and check it in there on arrival? Or departure. it seems you’ll have to do a check in somewhere… the issue is time. If you can use kiosks bag check is fairly straight forward in the USA.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Oh, I see what you mean now!

In this case I’m. it sure but intuitively I would think that any tags printed would be scanned to track the bags. So you couldn’t just get the tags but not lodge the bag?

You can just go to the drop off desk after customs in LAX and get them to print a tag there.

Alternatively, just exit with bag at LAX, arrive SEA and check it in there on arrival? Or departure. it seems you’ll have to do a check in somewhere… the issue is time. If you can use kiosks bag check is fairly straight forward in the USA.

Yes that's an option also, to drop off at SEA as long as it's not too early. I'll see if it can be done at LAX as a better option.

I don't know if they'd ever reconcile number of tags created versus bags entering the aircraft. I always thought the tags were more just to identify where (and how) the bags are going.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes that's an option also, to drop off at SEA as long as it's not too early. I'll see if it can be done at LAX as a better option.

I don't know if they'd ever reconcile number of tags created versus bags entering the aircraft. I always thought the tags were more just to identify where (and how) the bags are going.

They actually scan them to confirm they are loaded. It’s a good idea, if one remembers, to confirm at the gate during long or complex connections if the bags have been loaded.

 

[SeatBackForward]

They actually scan them to confirm they are loaded. It’s a good idea, if one remembers, to confirm at the gate during long or complex connections if the bags have been loaded.

ok, so best option is to ask if they can do that in SYD otherwise try at at LAX otherwise try in SEA, after which I'll just give up!

 

[madrooster]

Could I arrive at SYD check-in, ask for the stickers, then simply ask for my bag to not be placed on the conveyor belt and carry it on board with me (I will only be taking a carry-on bag + personal item anyhow)? That way all the tags are already on and I just drop them onto the conveyor at LAX?

Or is that likely to cause some problems with tracking missing bags etc?

Firm no. It's a load control and security issue.

They actually scan them to confirm they are loaded. It’s a good idea, if one remembers, to confirm at the gate during long or complex connections if the bags have been loaded.

AA gate agents don't have the baggage system logged in at the gate. The better answer is to check here: American Airlines - Airline tickets and cheap flights at aa.com or in the AA app.

 

[SYD]

AA gate agents don't have the baggage system logged in at the gate. The better answer is to check here: American Airlines - Airline tickets and cheap flights at aa.com or in the AA app.

Definitely the app. That reassuring beep that your luggage is onboard is a great feature. A pity more airlines haven’t implemented that.