I have to agree with you about the Elite luggage tags. I've never seen them make a difference.

The times that I have checked luggage (which I admit isn't often) it has had the elite tag put on it and my bags have come out at the beginning of baggage delivery. I suggest that if you find the tags to be detrimental to the timely delivery of your luggage, ask the GA to remove them during check-in. I don't plan on using that strategy anytime soon.