Flights all seem pretty full the last few years I've been flying. Stuffing more and more people into the additional seats! BTW... its called competition.
Wow. Freeking idiot! He's done more good for the country in 2 yrs the previous admin who started the trail of USA's destruction and w/ all the lib bozo's lined up to try to defeat him next year... MAGA!
I try to avoid as much as I can checking my bag. I would be more inclined to check if 1) the airline / airports would be much quicker and efficient on the arrival end getting the bags out (I've had to wait 30-45 mins occasionally in the past to get my bag which is a complete waste of time), 2) no damage to my bags and 3) guaranteed no lost bags. I still check bags (and BTW it is usually on Southwest where no fee is charged) when I have the time at the destination to waste and pick up my oversize bags. Until the problems listed above are fixed I'll still avoid checking bags where possible.