We’re in the habit of checking a bag each. I used to think AA put those shocking pinkish-orangish tags on them to tell the ground crew in SXM to off-load them last. At least that’s the way it often seemed but I have to give them credit since our last 3 or 4 trips on AA our bags have been waiting on the carousel when we got to it and we’ve always cleared immigration relatively fast.

I have done carry-on only but I’m inclined to agree with those who think it’s just not worth the effort. These days we each take our personal backpacks with our meds and electronics. Our next few flights are on JB and we had to pay to check bags but to me, it’s worth it, but perhaps before I book anymore JB trips I’ll get the JB travel credit card that gives you free bags. At $99.00 per year it’s still less costly than shipping a bag each round trip.