Gate-checked bags wait for the next flight?

[tdimdad]

Reading the ZL website for baggage allowance, they say "Passengers with baggage exceeding carry-on limits at the boarding gate will have their carry-on baggage offloaded. Carry-on baggage which is offloaded will be treated as checked baggage and only be uplifted on the next available flight and it is the passenger’s responsibility to collect these bags from the airport when they arrive."

Does this mean that if my bag is gate-checked, it will wait for the next flight? In this case, five hours later when the next one is scheduled to run. This would be different to the practice we see often where the bag follows you on the same flight.

I have 7 kg allowance but 10.2 kg in the bag. I'd be ok with the gate-check if the bag follows on the same flight but needing to collect it later would disrupt the day.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes! I’ve heard that while waiting for a rex flight. I thought I also heard it while waiting for a Qantas flight?

It’s a good incentive to stay within the rules.

 

[tdimdad]

I've had bags checked at Qantas and Rex but so far they've come on the same flight. But I do understand Rex's viewpoint because this keeps the boarding going without any delays to it from loading on added bags. As an incentive to stay within the rules this certainly is a powerful one and I'm OK with it as long as it's known in advance so you know to prepare for it (which in my case means packing appropriately and taking an earlier train to the airport so I can check the bag in).