Originally Posted by
MSPpete
I changed from hardsided checked luggage to soft last year for the following reason: If the hardside luggage is not completely full, it will crack when the airlines stack 6 bags on top of it. Both my hardside suitcases were eventually cracked when not completely full.
I had a giant Samsonite hardside that cracked, but only after several years. I have a Delsey hardside (much thicker shell material than the Samsonite was) that I received as a hand-me-down from my father--he used it for several years, and I've been using for 12+ years. There are a few cosmetic scrapes and gouges, but absolutely no sign of cracking whatsoever.