>>Everytime I check in the agent asks if I have any bags to check. I say "no"...and they typically respond that "oh that's right... Platinum elites never check bags".

I've always been fascinated by this line of thinking. I just don't get it.

I've been a very frequent flyer for the better part of 22 years and I almost always check a bag.

I like to take a lot of stuff with me. I enjoy having a few of the comforts of home with me when I travel. As long as I can wheel it all behind me, it's no problem.

I enjoy breezing through airports and onto planes without having to worry about the weight of bags I'm lugging around, or whether there will be enough space in the overhead, or having anxiety about boarding first so there will be enough space in the overhead, or jostling someone as I maneuver a bag into the overhead bin. Sometimes I enjoy being last on board and spending my waiting time in a more comfortable area as opposed to sitting in the sardine can. My carryon fits in front of my seat so I don't worry about overhead bin space.

I have never lost a bag in all these years of travel, and have probably had less than ten "baggage misconnects." (And I connect a lot.) I've never had to wait more than overnight to get a bag delivered except once with NW, when I had to wait until midnight the next day. (And I got big compensation for that and a very nice apology.)

My bags are almost always among the first off the conveyer belt and yes, I do use those blue tags. It's a major reason I fly CO; other carriers give you the nice tags but the bags are not handled with any priority. I've flown into IAH a ton (not on connections) and the blue tagged bags have always been among the first out of the chute.

I feel waiting the extra 10-15 minutes I have to wait to pick up my bags is a good trade off for my comfort inside the airport.

I have only once ever had something stolen out of luggage - an electric shaver at JFK - and UA sent me a check for the full cost of it, no questions asked.

So there.