A sort of good deal for the OP. The only thing that would have me Worrying is the bags were Gate Checked,. meaning they will be put onto the jetway for pick-up, what happens when no one claims them? How do they find their way to the baggage office if thats where they go?

Now if the GA made sure BDL was called and informed of what took place I would have felt much better

Had it been with reg checked bags I know they wouldnt be a problem, but I never myself had my gate checked bags go and I stayed behind