Personally I think DL has decided they are NOT a service that wants to ship your worldly possessions. I realize that's an inconvience to some of you but it is thier call. I somehow doubt the small number of folks who need this much luggage all going off to another airline will impact the bottom line much.

Airlines are not moving companies.. confusing the two is the issue here.

(Yes, I have friends who have done the long term overseas rotation. They SHIP! They don't attempt to haul everything they own with them.)