I'm not weighing in on checked vs. non-checked either, but I will tell you that the week I flew DFW-LAX-ORD-BWI-DFW-LAX-BOS-ORD-LAX-DFW with 25 pounds of binders and had to do eight speeches going back and forth between the right and left coasts, I was sweating every time I stood at the baggage carousel.

I've been lucky (knock on wood) to have only ever lost bags while either homeward bound or on my way to a pleasure trip, but I am definitely a clock watcher when I decide when I can check a bag (and I have to fly in a suit and carry a bunch of stuff in the carry-on tote just to keep from having an anxiety attack) but beyond that, I am comfortable doing either. I don't like schlepping.