The only time I've had my wheelie gate-checked (an E-170 leg at the start of a three leg journey home) the bag missed the first connection, and didn't make it home for three days!

The last twice I've checked a case coming into LHR, it took over 1.5 hours to come out - despite being tagged "priority", and one of those the case had been badly damaged.

Experience has taught me that HBO is the only way of making sure my stuff gets to the other end safely.