Now why do you poo poo checking bags? I've not experienced any real problems as yet checking any of mine. It does help if you have baggage with an integral TSA lock on them, such as my Samonsite hard side, but has your experience really been that bad? I've flown probably 50 or so times in the last two years, domestic and international, and have yet to have a real problem with checked baggage.
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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)