<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">...by the time I got on the plane all the overhead's were full and the FA made me check my bag in. [/B]</font>
I think this makes some difference in what you can claim, conmpared with checking baggage at the ticket counter.
Did you file a missing baggage claim prior to leaving the airport with the baggage missing?
If the clothes you bought on the spot cost more than similar clothes you may have bought back at home, you can certainly file a claim for the difference.
Just writing a letter to someone higher up at the airline has a good chance of getting some compensation.
Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm