As an out-of-state student, I have spent the past two months at home listening to my parents nag me about whether I should ship my luggage back to school or check it when I fly back to RDU (and people wonder why I'm so desperate to get back to Chapel Hill...).  Well, thanks Wall Street Fighter, for doing the math for me.

With most airlines, if you're traveling with over two checked bags, the best idea is probably to ship your bags with either UPS or the post office.  If you're as horrible a packer as I am and fear that one of your checked bags may be over the 50-lb. weight limit, definitely ship--airlines charge up to $150 for an overweight bag.  For a full listing of various/ridiculous airline charges, see this chart.