Originally Posted by cleared4departure
In my experience, the red tag doesn't get my luggage onto the carousel any quicker. So does it mean they handle my baggage more gently (not my experience either, still get damages).
Even if those "priority"-tagged bags don't get on the carousel any quicker than non-tagged bags, they still serve a purpose for some: People carrying or pulling those bags can show off to others that they have elite status or fly a premium cabin. These symbols allow people to feel special and important.
Another example are the elite status luggage tags. At least on AA, they serve really no purpose other than the one aforementioned. When I received my EXP tags, I tossed them in the trash.