Gate Check -- How do you keep track of your gear if it gets lost

[Contrast]

I am lucky to say that I have never had to "gate check" anything at the airport. If your carry on gets gate checked, how do you keep track of it if it gets "lost". I assume they tag it, but is the tag in the computer system? If its not anyone could walk away with it and the air carrier would have no record of it.

Thanks,

 

[Flatliner]

With Delta, the airline from HELL you are hosed, Other airlines should let you pick it up as soon as you get off the plane. Yes they are tagged but no they are not in the computer. I flew 100 times last year and didn't have ANY problems with a gate checked bag. more than half of those flights were on CRJs

Flat

 

[Flatliner]

In reading your post a little closer I don't think our definitions of gate checked is the same. I am talking about checking a carry on at the gate because it is too big for the overhead on one of the little pretend airplanes. If you are reffering to checking it to the destination to be picked up with checked luggage on arrival then here is the key.

AVOID THIS!

Don't be the last one on the plane (they will be out of overhead space). Board with the frequent fliers (Elites, club members, etc) If you are "chatting" with your buddy in the line and just hand the gate agent your boarding pass as you go by, 99 out of 100 don't say a thing. Otherwise, MAKE SURE you aren't at the end of the line. The other alternitive is to put what you CANT LIVE WITHOUT in a bag you could stuff under the seat if you had to.

Flat.

 

[Contrast]

I am talking about checking a carry on at the gate because it is too big for the overhead on one of the little pretend airplanes.

That's exactly what I was talking about.

 

[Flatliner]

In that case your options are to 1.) pack stuff in a small enough bag to go under your seat or 2.) take a chance. When you gate check, it goes from the gate to the hold then back to the gate. I have never had any problem with this so I wouldn't worry too much.

Robert

 

[Walter]

By definition you can't keep track of something that is lost.

 

[Doc]

By definition you can't keep track of something that is lost.

That's the point. Check it all at the front desk.

Experienced travellers simply do not carry any dive gear past a camera, computer or perscription mask.

 

[Buoyant1]

I've never had trouble with something that the said wouldn't fit the overhead in those "mini-jets". Usually they give you a tear-away tag with a number on them...but the bags are usually waiting on a cart as you de-plane.

My small rolling bag usually get's checked on the mini-jets, but my reg-bag never leaves me (and usually has my book or a magazine stuffed into it)

I've been considering using a bag that can house my regs, camera, log book and computer (along with a little room for my cd player and my book) in tandem with my little rolling bag which usually carries my toiletries, a change of clothes, etc. as well as my mask and lights...which I am attached to, but they're not irreplacable!