Thanks Cammander B and Nottingham Nick -- sounds like pretty much what I find on AA and BA where I spend most of my time, but perhaps a little better. The one odd thing about Virgin is the weight limit on the carry-on but it sounds like that's not something that is enforced, i.e. if the bag looks normal they don't weigh it. I think I can relax :-)

And yes, I am always prepared to put anything critical in my personal item (or put it there ahead of time) if the gate check police are on the prowl.