Checking a bag in at a transit

[WHBM]

Regarding Christmas Crackers, large quantities of these go westbound across the Atlantic every December as they are not generally available in the USA, or indeed many other countries. I think most go in hold baggage and people think nothing about it. As far as I am aware there's never been any mishap. Unlike smokers desperate for a cigarette who regularly set off the smoke detectors in the toilets. Should we ban smokers from flying ?

For checking in baggage after the initial check-in, I often wonder at the large number of items sold in duty-free, after security, which are larger than the hand baggage sizing frame. All of those must make it into the cabin. In Europe it's not so much of an issue, but in Asia I have seen all sorts sold airside, full-sized suitcases, television sets (yes, honestly), and similar.

Regarding "did you pack this bag yourself", and "been with you at all times", there are large numbers of older generation men who have their bags packed by their wives, and honestly have little idea which shirts and suits are inside this time. Meanwhile check-in staff every day can see road coaches unloading outside the terminal door, with all the bags being taken from the underfloor compartment, and then the whole coachload step across to check-in. "Bag with you at all times ?". "Oh yes". Now did you ever hear of any problem arising with this ?

[Bealzebub]

If I were to buy an item from the duty free that was too big to carry on and needed to go into the hold, what is the procedure?

Oversize carry on baggage is often tagged and sent to the hold, however if you purchase something in duty free that will not conform to your contractual carry on limits, the airline is under no obligation to do so.

A case of caveat emptor, in that your purchase is little more than a contract between you and the retailer (duty free shop.) It has nothing to do with your contract between you and the air carrier, nor does it modify the latter in any implied way.

You might normally expect common sense to apply, however if the passenger attempts to carry on an article that will not comply with the normal carry on rules, or is likely to involve the carrier in extra cost or inconvenience, then the carrier would have the right to refuse carriage of said item, or to charge the passenger for the additional item, at its absolute discretion.