Originally Posted by Vulcan
I never check when I can avoid it. I travel with a "medium size" garment back and a small backpack. Virtually all of my trips require a connection at IAH, where CO typically provides a 35-55 minute connection time. If the inbound flight runs late, I typically make the connection by sprinting. I know CO has a great baggage system at IAH (I saw it at the first DO), but I need my suit later that day for a meeting and refuse to take a chance that I might make the flight and the bag might not. Just my 2 cents.
I don't have a problem with people carrying on luggage, as long as the bags fit within the required size parameters. I usually travel with a small rollaboard and laptop bag (if necessary). It's the people with an oversized garment bag, rollaboard, maybe another bag, and laptop bag, that make life miserable for everyone. You can't have your cake and eat it too with respect to carryons - either pack lightly or check bags.