United Airlines to make check-in change many will find annoying

As those who travel frequently have had the chance to discover, the check-in counter is the single most likely thing to hold you up when you are rushing to board a flight.

While travelers on a domestic flight without a bag to check can go straight toward security, everyone else needs to wait in what is often a winding line to get their baggage tag and drop it off on the conveyor belt (a number of airlines and airports have taken steps to streamline this process with digital tag printing and drop-off).

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Used to running into a flight late? United has bad news

Passengers without luggage are often able to get away with getting to the airport significantly later and, should they not encounter a long line at security, run in to the gate within minutes of boarding. In an effort to crack down on this practice, United Airlines (UAL) will lengthen its check-in period for domestic passengers without luggage from 30 to 45 minutes.

This means that anyone who, whether digitally or at the airport, is not checked in 45 minutes before the flight time will not be permitted to board.

Aviation blog Live And Let's Fly was the first to report on the change that was communicated in a memo given out to United gate agents. The change only applies to domestic flights within the U.S., as check-in times for international flights are determined by the airport and vary from destination to destination. In the U.S., most international flights close check-in an hour before the flight, while most European airports cut it off 75 minutes before the flight's departure.

In some cities, travelers will not be able to check in later than 90 minutes prior to the flight.

United Airlines says the change is meant to decrease disruptions caused by late travelers.

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‘Set time limits for when you can check in and check your bags'

The new rule goes into effect June 3 and, as United confirmed to media outlets once the news broke, is meant to increase efficiency and minimize situations in which late travelers hold up the flight.

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“United has set time limits for when you can check in and check your bags,” the airline currently states on its website. “Some airports or flights have special time limits which depend on location. If you don't meet your check-in time limits, we'll do our best to find another option. However, we have the right to deny service which may result in cancellation of your reservation, denied boarding or the option to check your bags.”

In another move slowing down the time it takes one to get from the airport doors to the gate, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently banned power banks, portable charging cases, and any other devices with lithium ion or lithium metal batteries from checked baggage.

Due to the fire hazard they pose if set off while unattended, any power banks need to be kept near the passenger in the carry-on bag. The new rule took effect May 7, but some travelers have reported that agents have been pulling these items from their carry-on bags while going through screening.