While I can sympathize with you, I'm much more sympathetic about the outrageous check-in fees and the fact that people want to avoid checking if at all possible

While I can sympathize with you, I'm much more sympathetic about the outrageous check-in fees and the fact that people want to avoid checking if at all possible, even if it means cramming bags in. On top of that the incidence of problems with checked luggage is seems much higher than reported. In the past year, me or a traveling partner, have lost two checked bags, had one misrouted, and had several items stolen. For this reason I consider anything I check purely optional and things that I know I have a reasonable chance to never see again. My general rule -- if it fits, it fits.