[mithr]

Overhead bins are a bit annoying, but for me, less annoying than having to stick around waiting for the luggage to be unloaded. If you're lucky it's quick, but there have been enough times where that hasn't been the case to make me only check bags when I have to. Just walking straight out of the plane and then the airport is a great feeling.

Obviously the easiest is if you've only got a small bag and can fit it under the seat, in which case this question becomes moot -- but when you do need a bigger piece of luggage for whatever reason, gate-checking isn't such an obvious win.