Has anyone experienced (or otherwise aware of) gate-checked luggage not getting onto the same plane as the PAX?

I am particularly interested in DL's abuser (err... commuter) airlines operating out of ATL.

I had a situation recently where several of us did not receive our luggage on arrival at the destination.

There was no indication of a weight and balance issue, and I have been told by the airline that gate-checked luggage gets priority in those situations anyway.

I have been told by front-line people that there is a recurring issue with this, but I'm getting management denial of a problem.