Originally Posted by
futuramadramallama
Some theorize it has something to do with "main-line" vs. "contract" employees and their respective incentives. The former presumably don't get dinged for late baggage, but the performance of the contract staff at outstations might be measured on criteria like that. (The baggage office staff itself can't control speed of delivery, but maybe it's all the same ground handling company: on the ramp, and in the baggage office. And in turn, it's one big contract for both which AS then scrutinizes.)
Have a feeling it's likely related to this, and likely the overall contract includes performance incentives (likely = more $$ as bonuses to staff on the contract) for higher levels of on-time bag delivery. Passengers redeeming certs for flights puts a direct flag to AS that bags were late, where they otherwise may have been able to fudge the delivery timing a few mins, or just claim "all on time."