Airline Pilot Forums

Im sure it is a simple answer but, why is it that carry on bags can never be planeside checked on the 170/175? Every time it seems I commute on one I am the last one on with no overhead space and the gate agent forces me to check it instead of putting a plane side gage on it...

Which (mainline) airline? UAL does it all the time...

I think its just due to ramp handling. Some companies are going to have different policies than others. The CRJ loads planeside and checked baggage on the same side as the jetbridge stair with less of a rise to the boarding door, whereas the 170 is opposite side of the airplane with more work to get those bags upstairs. That may be what causes a company to say "screw it, just check em".

Its because they have a carry on bag program, CRJs do not because of bin space so regular bags, < 45 linear inches, have to go in the back and are returned. Bigger planes have carry on bag programs and once its full your SOL, should have checked it.

I think its just due to ramp handling. Some companies are going to have different policies than others. The CRJ loads planeside and checked baggage on the same side as the jetbridge stair with less of a rise to the boarding door, whereas the 170 is opposite side of the airplane with more work to get those bags upstairs. That may be what causes a company to say "screw it, just check em".

It depends on the carry on baggage program. Some require the bags be checked (US Airways) while some do not. When I worked as an FA for Republic on the 170 we did not have a program for gate checks on the 170. The reason we were given is Airways regarded the 170 like a mainline aircraft with no planeside checks.

You can thank the FAA for the policy. Bins are too big for them to allow a valet program.

I like the valet program, that way I don't have to drag my bag down the isle. I wish mainline did it.

It depends on the carry on baggage program. Some require the bags be checked (US Airways) while some do not. When I worked as an FA for Republic on the 170 we did not have a program for gate checks on the 170. The reason we were given is Airways regarded the 170 like a mainline aircraft with no planeside checks.[/QUOTE]

Maybe for passengers they require bags to be checked. But for deadheading or commuting crewmembers you can gate check your bags. They actually prefer it so your not hogging the overhead bin with a rollerboard, flight case, laptop bag, and cooler. That's what the blue gate check tags are for. It does take longer to get your bags back than compared to a crj. I usually get mine back before people with strollers.

Us airways you can always gate check it, I've done it many times even on mainline. Just get the blue tag and write crew on it and they will bring it right up. Not sure about other airlines

Easy fix. Get on first.

I've had it done on both US Airways and UAL.

Us airways you can always gate check it, I've done it many times even on mainline. Just get the blue tag and write crew on it and they will bring it right up. Not sure about other airlines


I was referring to gate check bags in general for passengers, not gate checks for deadheading or commuting crews.

You can thank the FAA for the policy. Bins are too big for them to allow a valet program.

I like the valet program, that way I don't have to drag my bag down the isle. I wish mainline did it.

It is not the FAA, it is the company. My aircraft and airline offer both a carry-on bag program and valet bag service. We end up taking a double hit on weight. I have only ever been weight limited once so we can afford to operate that way.

It is not the FAA, it is the company. My aircraft and airline offer both a carry-on bag program and valet bag service. We end up taking a double hit on weight. I have only ever been weight limited once so we can afford to operate that way.

Exactly, at AE a checked bag is 30 LBS if they didn't put them on the scale while a gate checked bad is 20 LBS. 10 lbs can make a big difference over a large amounts of bags.

For S5, on our UAX flights it gets hate/valet checked... Our DL flights it gets checked and goes to bag claim... It is a decision of the code share partner...DL wanted the 170's to operate from a pax perspective, more like a mainline a/c. Too bad the pay doesn't come with that, thanks NMB.

Easy fix. Get on first.

You must not be a commuter:rolleyes:

You must not be a commuter:rolleyes:

As a commuter...asking to board with the crew works maybe 50-60% of the time.

Saves me a lot of hassle especially when I've got the whole kit with me.

As a commuter...asking to board with the crew works maybe 50-60% of the time.

Saves me a lot of hassle especially when I've got the whole kit with me.

That's my point. Just get on first and you're fine...if you can get on first. In my experience, boarding with the crew works if you get there when they do, and even then only about 25% of the time(for me, anyway. If only I looked like your avatar Sauki...). Next, on rare occasions you get great flight attendants (commuters/non-pilot haters) who will help stash your bags in some of their secret hidey holes or a flight crew who doesn't mind stashing your bags up front in the cockpit. Only works if you're NOT commuting on an RJ or 737 and even then, only about another 25% of the time. So that leaves roughly 50% of the time when you are the last guy on, with a middle seat either in the back or in the cockpit and a trip to baggage claim in your future.

To get back to the original topic, this is why all other things being equal (full flights, same jumpseat chances, no ramp access, etc.), I would almost prefer the RJ over a mainline aircraft simply because I can gate check my bag and pick it up in the jetway like a normal schmoe. Easy peasey.