The sun tends to shine out of my backside whenever I travel, so maybe this only applies to me.

We do not travel light. Usually 2-4 checked items if we are going away more than two nights. They almost always come off very close to the beginning of everything coming out. I can't remember the last time they didn't, either at our destination (variety of CA/US airports) or back in YOW.

Priority baggage is definitely a benefit. Mrs. Zorn is always impressed.