I used to be incredibly averse to checking in luggage. I would cram everything in that I needed, miss out lots of things I wanted to take but couldn't...

But there were a couple of things that changed my mind. One was a slipped disc, the other that, in my new fit & healthy frame of mind, I tend to take my gym and swimming kit with me when I'm travelling, which takes up that extra space. So now I have an excellent Karrimor airport bag, which separates into carry-on and check-in portions.

90% of my flights are intra-European international short-hauls, with about 30% of these connecting (I have to go to some obscure places from time to time...) I generally do one round-trip per week. It's all *A.

Since I started this about 6 months ago, I've been surprised as to how OK it was. I live in London, so check my luggage in at Paddington station, where it's whisked off to LHR on the Heathrow Express. I get my BP there, so saunter past the crowds to the lounge.

*A in Europe use 'priority' tags, even for short-hauls (which many airlines don't), and these work maybe 80% of the time (a notable exception is CDG, where they seem to make a point of them coming out last). Yes, there's a bit of a wait at the other end. But generally enough time to sort out some cash at the ATM, take a toilet break, figure out how I'm going to get to where I'm going... And then the luggage appears. I can only think of a handful of times where I've had to wait a toe-tapping, tutting-inducing amount of times to get my luggage back (PRG and AMS, in fact). Not once has my luggage been lost, damaged or opened in all this time, touch wood (mind you, I'm allowed to lock it).

So, I'm happy doing it this way, now. It makes life easier at the airport too. No rush to make sure you get on early and get the stowage space. No wandering up and down the aircraft to find that last spot of space in the overhead locker. Just a little bag that fits under the seat in front, barely affecting my leg space. Plus, I no longer get annoyed when I'm sat at the back (thanks, Lufthansa's from-the-back seat allocation practice...), and disembarking involves sitting, reading a book until I'm ready.

Please don't forget -- there's an asinine rule in the United States that has changed the minds of all Americans, travelling internationally or not:

The Tools Standing Around (TSA) requests that people do not lock their checked baggage, and then if it is not searched (and sometimes if it is) fasteners are not replaced.

To avoid the IMMENSE potential for theft and fraud, many people avoid shipping bags completely.

If you're willing to do laundry on the road, you could survive for much longer.