Originally Posted by
detpilot
Wow, seriously? I've done it, and it's a non issue.
I'm surprised by the responses here. Same with gate checking a bag after getting permission to jumpseat... It is an (important) formality, but it's just that. If a captain is unilaterally denying you a jumpseat, he'll be hearing from his jumpseat committee.
How exactly do you propose to argue with a gate agent, as an offline jumpseater, right before the door closes who tells you that you need to gate check your bag. "No, I'm going to talk to the captain, come back up, have you print my bag tag, come back down, give it to the ramper, then board." Yeah, good luck... You guys must not jumpseat very often.
So to paraphrase, you've done it so it's not a big deal. Checking in at the gate is strictly a formality, never mind the practical importance of determining if the jumpseat is even available (which can't be done at the ticket counter), and checking bags at the ticket counter vs. gate checking bags are completely different.
As a working UAL guy I'll do everything I can to accommodate an OAL jumpseater, bags and all. As a UAL guy, I'd never as another airline's employees to schlep my excess luggage when I'm trying to travel as a jumpseater. But, you be you.