I've always been skeptical of the existence of the bags-must-be-on-the-same-plane-as-the-passenger rule, either domestic or international. And if the rule does exist, what's the stated reason for the rule/regulation? Is the rationale for the "rule" so that a terrorist can't be voluntarily bumped, and thus doesn't die when the bomb in his suitcase goes off. Really???

I know they claim it's a rule, especially internationally, but I've never seen the rule/regulation itself. I can't imagine that every single international flight where a passenger with checked baggage doesn't board (too many drinks at the bar, etc), that they take off his/her bags.


Can someone point me to a link from some authority, TSA, FAA, etc. that shows this rule/regulation?? Or even an airline's rule stating that a bag must travel with the pax? There were some other FT forums where this was discussed, but didn't see any evidence of the rule/regulation.