Do cenário que você apresentou, parece que houve uma conflação dos requisitos de tempo da companhia aérea para garantir que a sua mala chegue ao seu voo e a triagem exigida pela TSA.
Dependendo da companhia aérea e das instalações do aeroporto, o seu tamanho, a maioria irá aconselhar os clientes que, ao verificar a bagagem, deve ser feito dentro de um período mínimo. As políticas da companhia aérea para o horário de check-in tardio variam de 45 minutos da Southwest Delta , informando que os requisitos de tempo de check-in de bagagem variam pelo aeroporto.
E a discussão da iFly.com sobre os prazos de corte de bagagem :
As far as checked luggage goes, there is a cutoff time during which airlines will no longer accept your luggage. You likely know that you have to arrive at the airport in the time allotted to catch your flight, but you must also arrive prior to your airline's baggage cutoff times as well.
Most major airlines require that you check your luggage t least 30 minutes prior to departure; if you attempt to check your luggage with less than 30 minutes to departure you will not be permitted to do so. This rule applies to most major airlines, but each airline has exceptions to the rule. If you are traveling internationally you must check your luggage at least 60 minutes prior to departure. Again, every airline has exceptions.
Additionally, the airport from which you depart has its own rules regarding your checked luggage. There are a few airports that require you check your luggage in accordance with their checked luggage cutoff times, rather than following your airline's checked baggage cutoff times. For more information you must check with the airport from which you are departing.
Major airlines such as Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines require that passengers check their luggage 30-40 minutes or more before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes or more for international flights. Passengers departing on any of these airlines out of Chicago, Orlando, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and other major airports must check their luggage with additional time before departure; some of these airports require you check baggage at least 40 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes prior to departure.