I tried to use the bump program a few months ago on a very cheap DL ticket coming back from a trip PHL-SBN. I went to the NW gate agent at PHL, and they confirmed they had space, and said I just had to get the printout from Delta. I then went to the Delta agent, and they said they'd do it (give me the printout), but for a fee, which I think was $50 (maybe more). Anyway, I decided not to pay, as they both were connecting flights that got back at about the same time, so that seemed like a lot to pay just to be in 1st for a 1 hour flight.

So, the program was alive and well a few months ago as long as space was available, and you paid the fee to get the paper ticket. Not sure if having luggage would complicate it; I almost never check a bag