I'm guessing the work travel involved merchandise they couldn't put in a carryon, either due to size or other factors.

I'm with you. Shitty ass airlines sometimes will force you to check your bag, and I even recently had them do this when the overhead bins remained half empty. Infuriating!

Not GP, but I get free checked bags with “priority” (so they show up first) and pretty much only check a bag. Sometimes I just check a small carryon item.

I carry a backpack with my laptop and other electronics on the plane and that’s it.