I totally agree with usoftie on this one.
Personally I do not check bags and have not for at least 5 years. I carry Tumi when I take small domestic hops and an Eagle Creek back pack on my long international flights.
However, I worked for the airlines during college and I spent some time in the baggage service office. I have seen bags that were run over by a tug. It is not a pretty site. Briggs & Riley is the only company that I know of that will replace a bag from airline mishandling. The rest have warranties but that only covers wear and tear. Briggs & Riley have a life time warrantee for all damage.