GRR_Flyer, when I lived in Tokyo and traveled elsewhere in Asia on NW, my red tagged bags generally came off the plane in the first 10%. A few times in Taipei they were the first on the belt. I credit this to the Tokyo ground staff.

Coming back to Tokyo from Asia was generally good, but in about a third of the flights all the first/business luggage would come out in the middle of the pack. This is all on flights originating in a location with only one NW flight per day--with no transfers. I credit that to the baggage handling done entirely by the originating airport staff and out of the airlines' control.

But now I'm flying to Southeast Asia from Saint Louis with no stopovers--bags checked thru, all on NW--going out OK. Again I credit the Tokyo staff for sorting out what they get coming from the US before sending it on to the final destination. Coming back to Saint Louis-- .