A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
I've had this happen before a couple times in very hot weather operating near the range of the aircraft or off of a short runway. DCA-MCI in a US Airways 737 was one that would either restrict bags, VDB/IDB, or even add a fuel stop in the summer.
Can't really explain PDX-SFO though... MX or some type of highly unusual cargo would make sense, I guess.
The typical procedure should be that the airline accepts the bags, hopefully gives you an indication of how/when they'll be routed, and then delivers them to your hotel or house on the other end. Alternatively, passenger can take a reroute and stay with the bags.