AA/QF - choosing to NOT check luggage

[Blaqjaq]

Hi All

Hoping for some advice here

Flying LAX - SYD on AA73 which arrives at 7.05am, then booked on the same ticket, for SYD - DPS QF43 later that afternoon (4.25pm)

Question is - will groundstaff at LAX allow me to NOT check my bag all the way through to DPS and collect it in Sydney instead? Given the long layover I’d like to take my bag and check into a hotel for the day

 

[wandering_fred]

Any left luggage to store the carry on between those flights?
I seem to remember a direct bus to Bondi......
Alas I had to defer that wandering (now Sept)
Fred

 

[VPS]

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure you don't have any choice but collect your luggage in Sydney as it's the first stop in Australia

 

[SYD]

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure you don't have any choice but collect your luggage in Sydney as it's the first stop in Australia

Except it’s Int->Int transfer, so ought to default to checked through since you don’t need to “enter” Oz.

As opposed to Int->Dom where you must collect your bag anyway.

I‘d ask to short check but have essentials in carry on just in case. TBH, I’d be happy to be unencumbered by luggage and go off and chill (hotel, QF F lounge, or Bondi beach!).

 

[hossein_au]

The US and Australia are rather unique in that one needs to collect one's luggage and clear custom at the port of arrival before dropping off the luggage for any subsequent flights.

Having said that, there have been some (limited) exceptions I have heard of, at least in Australia, where transit passengers get their luggage at their destination rather than their first arrival port. An example is the DOH-ADL flight that has a stop in MEL but passengers remain in the international transit area and pick up their luggage in ADL, not in MEL.

Considering you may remain in the international transit area, I would have thought, logically, the checked-in luggage should go to your final destination. But considering the ground systems may not allow this, I do not like your chances of the luggage finding its way to the destination. I think in all likelihood, your luggage may be tagged all the way, but you might end up needing to clear immigration in SYD, drop off your luggage (which is already tagged), and then clear the custom back into the departure area.

 

[SYD]

The US and Australia are rather unique in that one needs to collect one's luggage and clear custom at the port of arrival before dropping off the luggage for any subsequent flights.

Having said that, there have been some (limited) exceptions I have heard of, at least in Australia, where transit passengers get their luggage at their destination rather than their first arrival port. An example is the DOH-ADL flight that has a stop in MEL but passengers remain in the international transit area and pick up their luggage in ADL, not in MEL.

Considering you may remain in the international transit area, I would have thought, logically, the checked-in luggage should go to your final destination. But considering the ground systems may not allow this, I do not like your chances of the luggage finding its way to the destination. I think in all likelihood, your luggage may be tagged all the way, but you might end up needing to clear immigration in SYD, drop off your luggage (which is already tagged), and then clear the custom back into the departure area.

No, that’s only for Dom connections. As above you can transit SYD Int to Int without the need to collect luggage or clear immigration/customs.

But I assume you can check your bags through but still enter the country - if you have a long layover.

Yes, the US forces everyone to “enter” the US, even if flying onwards to another country.

 

[justinbrett]

This is what someone who wanted to ditch a married segment would ask for - not saying it will be a no, but I'd expect the third degree. Posts on FT suggests you can do it for 12+ hours, but 4-12 you need a reason and it's at the discretion of the agent. It would be easier to travel with what you need in carry on.

Also if you're not AU/NZ citizen, you'll need an eTA as your stop is more than 8 hours, even if you choose to remain in the terminal.

 

[Quickstatus]

@Blaqjaq
Do what the locals do in the Land of the Free
= Carry on way above the official limits

I wonder in this context, if AA will gatecheck to SYD or DPS if at the gate, the gate agent deems the carryon too much for the flight

If they gatecheck to SYD you're in luck.

 

[justinbrett]

@Blaqjaq
Do what the locals do in the Land of the Free
= Carry on way above the official limits

I wonder in this context if AA will gate check to SYD or DPS if carryon is too much for them

AA don't have a weight limit for carry on.

 

[Quickstatus]

AA don't have a weight limit for carry on.

Sure but they have "official" dimensional and number of pieces limit

 

[justinbrett]

Sure but they have "official" dimensional and number of pieces limit

Not enforced, IME.

And on widebodies - very rare for cabin bags to be gate checked. I can't say I've ever seen it. That's more a 737/A320 thing.

 

[Quickstatus]

Not enforced, IME.

Exactly. Which is why I called it "official" - it is in the AA website but hardly ever enforced. So people carry as much as they can as carry on

 

[Quickstatus]

very rare for cabin bags to be gate checked

The ones which are gatechecked are the ones which are too big for the 777 overheads.

 

[SYD]

The ones which are gatechecked are the ones which are too big for the 777 overheads.

Or the odd kitchen sink….

 

[Quickstatus]

Or the odd kitchen sink….

It does beg the question.
What's the largest available bag that passengers can purchase that fits into a twin aisle aircraft?

 

[justinbrett]

The ones which are gatechecked are the ones which are too big for the 777 overheads.

Probably won’t make it through TSA if that’s the case. If you do make it to the gate and it’s obviously not carry on size, you can bet you’ll be slugged with a hefty bag check fee.

 

[Quickstatus]

But I wonder what's the largest that can fit in the overheads and get away with it. If it fits it's unlikely to be fined a bag check fee

 

[justinbrett]

But I wonder what's the largest that can fit in the overheads and get away with it. If it fits it's unlikely to be fined a bag check fee

If it fits why would it be checked? The gate check fee is waived if it's within the pax cabin allowance (it fits and it's not an extra bag), otherwise they'll charge the normal bag fees - which if it's the 3rd or more, can be hundreds of dollars.

In any case I’ve seen massive full size backpacks in the lockers. Anything squishable seems to get away it - but if you've got an actual suitcase that's not carry on sized, that's obvious to the staff it won't fit (and why I referenced TSA upthread - they likely won't make it through). These people look at thousands of bags every day, I'm sure it doesn't take much to be an expert on what will fit.

IME gate checked luggage will be to final destination - in OP's case I'd be very surprised if they only tagged to SYD, as that requires entering the country to collect & then recheck.

 

[Quickstatus]

that's obvious to the staff it won't fit

That's the question, what is the largest they will let slide through.

 

[justinbrett]

That's the question, what is the largest they will let slide through.

Depends if it’s squishy or not