The US eliminated the silliness of pulling bags on domestic and many international routes in 2003 when TSA started screening all checked luggage. While most carriers have policies limiting this somewhat for voluntary reroutes, this is not the case for involuntary (IRROPS) reroutes.

In addition, worldwide, what exactly do you think happens to your bag when it goes missing and is later found and sent to you? It, of course, travels unaccompanied.

All of that said, the reality is that EC 261/2004 is simply a binary system. Some people make a lot of money from delays and suffer no consequences and others get very little and suffer a lot. Once the Regulation's deadline has passed, carriers have no incentives to speed up the process.

Having said all of this, anytime I see a post saying "we were not given information", I have to ask why the savvy traveler did not ask. Some of the best information to be had will come from staff on the scene. They are focused on getting people out and are not working on EC 261/2004 issues. They know the "real" reasons and may be quick to answer. If asked.