SEATTLE'S MORNING NEWS

Gee Scott: United Airlines’ new check-in policy is about ‘more accountability’

May 28, 2025, 5:02 AM | Updated: 5:16 am

United Airlines baggage policy...

A traveler looks for baggage amid rows of unclaimed luggage at the United Airlines baggage claim area at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Courtesy of Mario Tama/Getty Images)

(Photo Courtesy of Mario Tama/Getty Images)

United Airlines implemented a new policy for domestic passengers without checked luggage, requiring them to check in 45 minutes before departure, updated from the previous 30 minutes.

Gee Scott joined “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor, to embrace United Airlines’ policy change. He says he wants to hold late-arriving passengers accountable.

“I love more accountability,” Gee said, “What ends up happening is, the people who do things the right way, and are on time, then wonder why some of these planes are delayed.”

Positive effects on SeaTac

Gee sees this policy change as an opportunity to revamp the current congestion issues at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

“When you go to (Sea-Tac), everything is packed, you have to have some type of structure,” Gee said.

The new check-in policy, effective June 3, aims to align with the United Airlines checked-baggage deadline policy, according to USA Today. It could potentially limit delayed flights as a result.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

Seattle's Morning News

mariners rick rizzs retire...

Manda Factor

‘I’m going to be a wreck’: Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs reflects on last road trip before retirement

The voice of the Seattle Mariners, Rick Rizzs, left this week for what will be the final road series of his broadcasting career that began 52 years ago.

1 day ago

9/11 new york twin towers seattle...

Charlie Harger

Seattle couple filmed the Twin Towers from 50 yards away on 9/11. Their tape became key evidence in terror trials. Now they’re telling the full story

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Seattle radio host Tami Michaels and her husband Guy Rosbrook were asleep on the 35th floor of the Millennium Hilton in lower Manhattan, directly across Church Street from the World Trade Center.

1 day ago

twin towers...

Charlie Harger

Harger: For a year, my balcony faced the twin towers. We moved home to Seattle 41 days before they fell

August 1, 2001. I awaken. I open my eyes. And I'm thinking: today I'm moving home. Back to Seattle.

1 day ago

trump state overspending...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Conservatives cheer when I call out state overspending. Will they keep that principle now that it’s Trump?

Washington doesn't have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem. We take money from the federal government, then make state taxpayers have to pick up.

2 days ago

boy in the tent aurora fentanyl...

Manda Factor

‘Boy in the tent’ enters school for the first time at age 10: ‘I want to go back’

The "boy in the tent" walked through school doors for the first time ever on Tuesday.

3 days ago

seattle dealers recovery housing...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Two blue cities decided dealers don’t belong in recovery housing. Seattle hasn’t

I've heard from people who've lived in permanent supportive housing in Seattle. Drugs move through the building around the clock, and staff look the other way.

3 days ago

Gee Scott: United Airlines’ new check-in policy is about ‘more accountability’