Originally Posted by
itsme
So, I wonder about the suggestion that the bags may be put on a direct flight and reach the ultimate destination before the traveler gets there. Seems like a supremely unlikely scenario.
Indeed, it is not possible at all. You outlined the rules about luggage and passenger sychronisation correctly: the bag has to go with the passenger unless it is sent as cargo (for a fee and independently or any passenger ticket) or the airline mis-onnects the bag so that joint flying becomes effectively impossible.