What happens if your carry-on is deemed too large at the gate?

[orangehenry]

I'm flying with a bag that is a touch over the carry-on requirements of the airline I'm on (Air Berlin). I've flown with it on QF and BA with no one so much as batting an eyelid. However, I'm wondering what would happen if the gate agent deemed the bag too large? Unlike my other flights with this bag I've checked in online so I haven't got the tacit approval of a checkin agent. Could you be denied boarding?

 

[Grooba]

If your bag is to big, check it in.

Please don't be one of those people who we all see trying to wedge in a clearly oversized bag, and look like a fool.

 

[cove]

They can stop you and then put the bag in the hold. That happens in the US when someone tries to board with an oversize bag.

 

[Mal]

'Touch over'... You'll probably get away with it. But depends on your definition of a touch... As others have said... Generally it ends up in the hold.

 

[opusman]

In the US it's called "gate check" and it's very common. Your bag gets sent down a little chute that leads from the gate to the tarmac, and it's put in the hold. At the other end it's offloaded and delivered to you at the arrival gate.

 

[serfty]

... At the other end it's offloaded and delivered to you at the arrival gate.

Not always, it can vary between carrier, port, mood of agent.

Often "Gate Checked" bags will be delivered to the arrivals baggage carousel wich can be a PITA for those only transitting.

 

[bass_ke]

It's not worth running the gauntlet, I used to with a large Crumpler Karachi Outpost and didn't get questioned. Now days I just check it if its filling up and take the laptop insert with me

 

[Anna]

Could you be denied boarding?

I haven't heard of anyone being denied boarding but I have heard about "gate checked" bags being put on the next flight and not the flight you're on. Personally I would either take a bag that complied, or check it in.

 

[medhead]

I don't think there is any tacit approval from the check in agent. They have multiple layers for these things. It also depends on the load of your flight. Ultimate the cabin crew are responsible for getting you loaded and the aircraft away on time. Light load and they may ignore your bag. Next flight might have a full load and then they gate check your bag straight away because they know finding somewhere for it will delay departure.

 

[harvyk]

I haven't heard of anyone being denied boarding but I have heard about "gate checked" bags being put on the next flight and not the flight you're on. Personally I would either take a bag that complied, or check it in.

I dount it would be put on another flight as a standard practise as that would be a security risk.

With only exceptional circumstances, all airline initiated, will a bag not travel on the same flight as the pax.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'm flying with a bag that is a touch over the carry-on requirements of the airline I'm on (Air Berlin).

For what its worth, having read Air Berlin's Carry on Rules I decided to check my carry on bag just in case. When we landed at TXL I was one of the first off and stood by the carousel watching folk walking past me with everything including the kitchen sink as their carry on. You live and learn.

 

[N860CR]

I'd agree... But funnily enough that is the Jetstar policy. They'll proudly announce that if you don't come forward with your bag now, it'll fly on the next flight and you'll need to organise to collect it.

It's something I have a bit of an issue with.

 

[Anna]

With only exceptional circumstances, all airline initiated...

Such as a gate agent taking an oversize carryon from a pax to be checked in.

 

[boomy]

It looks like Air Berlin's baggage allowance is very similar to Qantas:
QF 56x36x23cm
AB 55x40x20cm

But you need to keep in mind that QF almost never checks hand luggage size and in Europe they are more strict about that.

 

[Skyring]

They can stop you and then put the bag in the hold. That happens in the US when someone tries to board with an oversize bag.

Ah, that'd be everybody.

 

[harvyk]

Such as a gate agent taking an oversize carryon from a pax to be checked in.

No, because that would make it easy for would be terrorist to sneak something on to a plane which they are not flying on if it was a pretty much guarentee.

 

[Skyring]

In the US it's called "gate check" and it's very common. Your bag gets sent down a little chute that leads from the gate to the tarmac, and it's put in the hold. At the other end it's offloaded and delivered to you at the arrival gate.

So that's what that chute is for! I thought it was for emergency egress from the airbridge and was kind of hoping to seeing planeloads of passengers spiral down and run out onto the tarmac screaming.

 

[Anna]

No, because that would make it easy for would be terrorist to sneak something on to a plane which they are not flying on if it was a pretty much guarentee.

You said "exceptional circumstances" before. How did that become "pretty much guarantee"?

You can doubt the practice and criticise the practice, and I agree with your criticisms, but it does happen that IF your bag is taken from you at the gate it may not go on the same flight as you.

 

[pauly7]

For what its worth, having read Air Berlin's Carry on Rules I decided to check my carry on bag just in case. When we landed at TXL I was one of the first off and stood by the carousel watching folk walking past me with everything including the kitchen sink as their carry on. You live and learn.

You never know I guess, depends on the airline as well.

Etihad are absolute DEMONS at the gate, chucking bag after bag down the chute if it was oversize or ppl took too many bags (which I applaud by the way) but did slow boarding down.

I'd never risk it with them.

 

[TonyHancock]

You never know I guess, depends on the airline as well.

Etihad are absolute DEMONS at the gate, chucking bag after bag down the chute if it was oversize or ppl took too many bags (which I applaud by the way) but did slow boarding down.

I'd never risk it with them.

It surprised me. I was OK on my bag size, but had a small backpack with me too. I assumed the Germans would be quite strict, but seeing what was brought on as hand luggage by other pax I realised I had been a little too conservative!!