So I heard back from Customer Care both by phone and email:

"I apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced at the airport with checked luggage. In reference to our conversation, I will instate 2,000 One Pass miles to the account. Please accept this as a one time goodwill gesture.

For future reference, if you arrive without luggage please contact our Elite Baggage Desk at 866-354-8326 which can be found on the back of your elite card, option 3. The elite desk may have information regarding your tag number. Thank you for your patience.

Regards,
(name)
Elite Baggage Specialist
Continental Airlines

Of course, if I arrive "without luggage" I won't know until all the bags have come down and mine isn't there. That's when I'll find out that it got there early -- making me the last to get my bag!

I told her in our call that they should bring the early bags out when the scheduled ones arrive. She said something about the security of the bags -- so she doesn't get it. But at least I got an apology and Mrs. Elite got a couple thousand miles.