I just pay the $15 and enjoy my drink until 8 seconds before they close the door. Absolutely worth it.

I also do this, especially if you have assigned seats and are flying light, there is no reason to be the first person on the plane unless you like sitting and doing nothing for 45 minutes.

To which $15 do you refer? Surely there is no charge for being at the end of the queue?

Sorry, checked bag fee.

Where are you that it's only $15? It's $60 around here.

is it ever just $15?

If you have to gate check, it’s still free

Yeah but you already packed lighter and more constrained and hauled your carryon all the way to the plane, so it feels obnoxious to then have to surrender the one advantage of carryon other than price (not having to wait for your luggage at the carousel) after you've already accepted all the disadvantages.

I've been having fun with people putting their bags in the compartments marked "emergency exit seats" and then being surprised their bag is put in the hold when mine is put in instead of theirs. (Since you cannot have luggage under your seat there some airline have a reserved bin for the ee seats)

I'm skeptical how much charges for check-in have to do with it. People traveling on business almost universally don't want the time overhead (and risk of delayed luggage) associated with checking bags even though they could expense it or often get free checked bags through status anyway.

So what though? I actually like getting gate checked. Now I don’t have to shove the bag in the overhead I just pick it up in claim.

> So what though? I actually like getting gate checked. Now I don’t have to shove the bag in the overhead I just pick it up in claim.

Some airlines give you gate checked bags right upon exit at the bridge. This is OK.

Others put it into the pile of luggage at Baggage Claim. This adds another 45min to your trip.