Inside the Airline: What is a "Gate Check?"

There are two different types of checked baggage, your standard checked bag and a gate check. If you have never flown on a smaller regional aircraft you are probably not familiar with gate checks. A gate check is exactly what it sounds like, it is a bag that is checked at the aircraft gate. There are a number of reasons people may need to gate check their luggage, the most common reason is limited overhead bin space. On smaller regional aircraft, usually operated as the express or connection brand of an airline, typically have much smaller overhead bins. An example of this would be the Embraer-145 aircraft operated by Express Jet branded as United Express. The ERJ-145 (Embraer Regional Jet) has a very small overhead bin, unable to store standard suitcases. Your typical roller bags and medium to large duffel bag would need to be gate checked.

The item will be tagged and placed in the baggage compartment of the aircraft with the rest of the standard checked baggage. Gate checks are loaded last and unloaded first. When you arrive at your destination, the crew will bring your gate checked item back to you at the gate. It will be brought back to you after every flight, it will not be transferred to your connecting flight. It is important that you wait in the jetbridge for your gate checked item, otherwise it will be delivered to baggage claim with the standard checked luggage.

A word from the Airline Insider- "Many people are hesitant to hand over their luggage. Most people choose to bring carry-on luggage to avoid damage to their belongings or worse, a loss of their luggage. There is no fee for a gate check so you are still able to avoid baggage fees. Many people have seen the movie Meeting the Parents where Ben Stiller's character hands over his luggage and unfortunately gets lost. Although it is always a possibility, the chance of a gate check being lost is much less than a standard checked bag. The most common reasons a gate check gets lost is due to a passenger failing to wait for their item at the gate after their flight, or their gate check tag falling off. If a gate check tag falls off in transit, the item is sent to baggage claim. If you are making a connection, you probably won't have time to visit baggage claim and go back through security. The chance of this happening to you is very rare, however."

Gate Check Tips:

DO NOT reuse gate check tags- If you reuse a tag, there is a better chance it will fall off. It also makes it harder to track your bag if lost.

Bring a personal bag (ex. backpack, purse, small duffel bag)- Keep breakables, electronics, or anything else you may need or want during the flight in this bag in case you have to give up your bag as a gate check.

When booking your flight make note of the aircraft type the flight is operated with. Be prepared to gate check your item if it is a smaller regional jet. Pack accordingly and consider just checking it as standard baggage instead.