> A couple examples of little things they do that are clever and should be copied by everyone else: check your bag at the gate 30 minutes before boarding and you can board early; a guarantee that your checked luggage will be in your hands 20 minutes after landing, or you get $20.
Is that (gate check bag) for free?
20 minutes or $20 sounds like a great idea too.
Yes. They make an announcement asking for anyone willing to check their bag at the gate rather than carrying it on, and anyone who does so gets priority boarding (at the same time as the "families with small children and anyone who needs more time to board")
I've never flown Alaskan, but it's pretty obvious what the appeal is: it's a small optimization to make flying a little more convenient and enjoyable for some people. It seems like it would be nice not to have to wait in the boarding line and manhandle my carry-on. Plus, the policy creates some goodwill because they're passing up an opportunity to nickle-and-dime you.