One trick I've used to keep them from gate checking, besides being an elite passenger so I get on first, is to put things in that need to be removed before they can gate check. The FAA now requires Li-Ion batteries not be placed in the hold, and since I travel with a DSLR normally, that means the entire DSLR kit comes out (all newer cameras have a non-removable Li-Ion battery in them), as well as laptop or tablet, my charger bag, the works. Prescription medications as well, so my glasses, meds, and the works all come out. Ditto any food, reading material, et cetera. And if you tell them that it's packed full of Lithium batteries and medication and such, they usually will grab somebody else because otherwise you're on the jet bridge taking 5-10 minutes to re-pack, and asking for a plastic bag that still goes into the overhead, and they hold up the entire flight for it. On time performance is king for them.
The one time they tried to make me do it, at the end they end up with a bag with a pair of underwear and socks at the bottom, otherwise empty, and told me not to bother and had me re-pack and found space for it (I checked most of everything).