If we take just carry on luggage for flights on this equipment, will they check them as we are boarding the plane? Thanks in advance>

Gate agent will give you a gate-check tag. You put it on, and bring the luggage to the door of the plane if you board using a jetway, or onto a cart by the stairs if you board using stairs. Or there may be baggage handler right at the door to take them from you.

Don't forget to wait for the bags once you exit the aircraft. Not at the baggage claim.

Depends on the size of the bag and how crowded the flight is. A typical rollaboard will be gate checked. A small backpack or computer case can be carried on.

Usually someone will come along ang attach the gate check tag to your bag before you are ready to board the plane.

Thanks to you both - we will be dragging just a normal carry-on so I think it will end up being checked at the gate. Since hanging at baggage retrieval areas isn't much fun for me (hubby is VERY impatient!), I appreciate that option. I appreciate your responses.

I've had to pick up my gate checked bag off the conveyor belt at baggage claim once. This was at BZN and we were the only arriving flight at the time so it was quick. Normally, you do get your gate checked bag back after exiting the aircraft.

depends what you consider a "normal carry-on" - for some that is a small daypack, for others a steamer trunk.

gail: LOL!! No steamer trunks for us - just the bags that can fit above seats on a larger plane.

Thanks for all the help.