For me, I’m lucky enough to get free checked bags with WestJet — and access to the express line at check-in to drop them off.

But even with free bags and reduced (although not eliminated) hassle dropping them off at check-in, I still will not check bags unless it’s an absolute necessity.

Why?

Baggage delivery times remain abysmally bad at YYC, my home airport. (They’re also really bad at YYZ and some bigger U.S. airports, but the consistent frustration for me is YYC.)

YYC is just so, so bad.

It may sound silly, but the problem is worse - or at least appears worse - for frequent flyers and premium customers … who always sit towards the front of the plane. I might get to baggage claim 10 or 15 minutes earlier than the people in the last row — which means that my wait at the carrousel is 10 or 15 minutes longer than the pax at the back. (And as discussed in another thread, the priority tag on checked baggage is meaningless.)

Cost of checked bags is definitely the biggest driver for most passengers — leading to carry-on craziness, the competition for bin space on every flight, and the resulting gate chaos and slow boarding.

But start impressing passengers with how quickly bags get to the carrousel, and airlines might find more people actually want to check bags - and even pay for it. Personally I’d love to check more often, because that would mean more leisurely, less stressful boarding for me.

Til then, I’m always doing carry-on.