Check that

I just talked to a co-worker who will be sitting at home today instead of flying because checked bags (and his own tardiness) cost him a seat on a plane. It seems that you must check bags at least 30 minutes before departure (how should I know?) and he arrived at the counter 25 minutes before. I know, that’s insane by any measure, but he had a 6 AM flight from a small airport and was obviously living in the good old days for air travel. It didn’t work.

Comments

[Frank II]

Happy Thanksgiving to him. A holiday commemorating a time when people worked together to help each other out. Ironic, isn't it?

And another reason to carry-on.

[WSL]

I don't think that's insane. We expect the planes to leave on time and to land on time. Why should my flight be held up because someone else is late?

[Brad]

I meant it was insane that he should have expected to make the flight. I'm with you.

[AC]

Recently I missed a connecting flight in DFW because the plane left the gate 10 minutes before the stated departure time. The AA rep notified me it was a "critical flight" and had to pull out early to be on time. That was a first for me.

[kdt]

Happened once to my daughter - same scenario, a very early first flight out. She was lined up with other travelers waiting to check in, US Air had only one counter agent, and the magic 30 minute window hit. Everyone who was still on line waiting to check bags for that flight -- all of whom had been there well before the 30-min deadline -- missed the flight. US Air acted like it was doing her a favor even to rebook her.