A view from the other side (Score 2, Informative)

After having read most of the comments I noticed a lack of responses from anyone that actually handles the baggage. I work for one of the 3 major US/International airlines. Here are just a few thoughts.

• While most people like to blame ramp service workers for baggage problems, sometimes its just "user error" in that the passenger does not correctly pack the bag so that it can successfully make the trip, its not uncommon to have a bag that is over stuffed rip apart when it gets punched by the baggage system down a lateral to where we scan and sort the bags. We try to put everything we can find back in the bag and tape it closed, but sometimes stuff is missed - not stolen, but simply not not found until after the bag is loaded and the flight gone.
• There seem to be alot of comments about how ramp service workers go through bags and look for anything of value. While there are some "bad seeds" out there; most of the workers do want to get your baggage to you on time and with the same contents it had when you started the trip. Additionally, there is very little down time to try to look through baggage; certainly not out on the ramp as a few other posts have suggested.
• Yes, baggage does get thrown sometimes, but it is not because we are out to distroy your baggage, instead its the simple fact that throwing is more efficient - and less tiring - than walking the bag to the cart, especially when unloading a flight. We do avoid throwing anything with fragile markings.

Do yourself all a favor, pack your bags well and don't over pack. In the end, would I check a laptop? Probably not, but I would be more worried about theft on the baggage claim side than plane side.