Originally Posted by
simonoaks
I just spoke to my next door neighbor who has been a pilot for Delta for 30 years, he has never heard of a plane leaving without the checked luggage. It would not pass his balance checks.
I was on such a flight - the ground staff went on strike literally just before we boarded the plane. We were able to take off, but without a single bag. It took 3 days to get the bags. The airline denied our claim saying they weren't responsible for the strike, but travel insurance via the credit card paid every penny to reimburse us for the cost of replacement clothes, laundering them, and a new suitcase. Because they have travel insurance, the OP's family should definitely go shopping.