In November I used the new T5 auto luggage drop facility, flying to JNB. You plug in your ID/Booking Ref, drop the luggage on the scale and a machine prints out the baggage tag for you, which you attach to your luggage and then hit the send button.
After doing my main bag (22.8kg) I was offered the chance to check in a second bag, so did indeed get rid of my carry-on so as to avoid the upper deck bag scramble on the A380.
What I now wonder is whether I could have checked in a second "cabin bag" at 23kg? This would put BA's overall luggage allowance closer to EK and QR
The auto facility included a credit card machine ready to squeeze a bit more revenue from the unwary.
The area was manned by a very nice Customer Chappie who was ready to help. Whilst system did work, my only comment to him was it was a shame to lose another element of human contact in the travel process.