Is it always possible to check your carry on as you are boarding the plane? I really don’t want the hassle of the overhead storage, but I’m scared to check all my luggage in fear that it won’t arrive. Thanks!

Good question. Sometimes you're forced to, as in when flying a puddle jumper with little carry on space. Other times you're requested to, when the flight is full and space is limited.

I have often requested a 'hold' luggage tag from the gate agent when I know I'll be on a puddle jumper, before I'm even told I need one, so perhaps it's possible.

If you do gate check, make sure to remove anything you need for the flight beforehand.

If it's any consolation, my luggage has only been 'lost' three times in over 30 years of airline travel, and it's always found its way back to me.

What you are saying is that you want to "gate check" your carryon (thought it might be done on the jetbridge).

>> scared to check all my luggage
Gate checking would have about the same amount of risk as when you check the bag at check-in. I say this because I had a bag spend a few days in Guatemala having stayed on the plane that it and I flew to LAX.

Usually, I think, people want to gate check in order to avoid baggage fees. I assume that the hassle you want to avoid is the one where it is a pain to find space in a bin.

You can just ask the gate agent if you can gate check the bag.

You could enhance your chances of gate checking by being among the last people to board. The bins may be full by the time you get to the end of the jetbridge in which case you would be required to gate check the bag. If not then look for bin space in first class.

Be sure your gate checked bag is tagged to the correct destination. Wait on the jet bridge just outside the plane door for your bag to be delivered there. I would have doubts if an FA told me my bag would go to baggage claim.

I'll point out there are things that can't go in the hold. There are things that shouldn't go in the hold.

Batteries for example can't go in the hold. Especially not lithium batteries. That means if you've got a laptop,tablet or whatever you need to pull it out.

Valuables or essentials like medication shouldn't go in the hold.

Thank you!

Don't assume this will be free. If you have a ticket type that doesn't allow carryon, like basic economy, you may have to pay the checked bag fee plus a penalty for gate check. Also, if your bag violates the carry-on standards. It depends on the airline, so read rules. United charges penalties for cheapest fare. Also, if a big plane, don't assume it can't get lost. I had baggage delayed once that was checked but not because it wasn't loaded, but because when unloading, they put it in the area for bags to be transferred, not out to baggage claim and I wasn't transferring anywhere.

As mentioned there are 2 types of baggage check at the gate.
1. tagged through to your final destination. In my experience over the last year or so, mostly on AA and UA, and mostly on smaller planes with limited overhead space, this has been free to all passengers. This is really no different than checking your bag at the check-in counter before security, except it's no cost (as I've seen). The gate agents may do this when the see the plane is full, or it may be standard practice. Dunno.

2. gate check, and returned to you on the jetbridge upon arrival. (usally). This has been discussed above, and is very common on smaller planes. Sometimes instead of returing to the jeb bridge the bags will get sent to baggage claim. I've seen this with late night arrival at small airport, when they may not have have enough ground staff to handle them separately.

I once had a bag taken from me upon entering a plane, where I was told that there was no room and it would be sent along. it was ... but it was a pain to find it and I nearly missed my next flight. Grrr.

So I always pack what I consider essential to have upon arrival -- things like medications, certain electronics, a change of underwear -- in a separate lightweight and flexible bag that I can easily and quickly remove from the bag I intend to take on-board, just so I can take it out at the last minute if necessary. Just a thought!