For NW at least, gotta agree with the above posters--sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

That being said, my bag has never come out LAST. So I'd say that, on average, my priority-tagged bags are in the first 25% or so to come out.

I agree. They definitely don't work here in HNL...

I find that with the priority tag the bag comes off in the first half of the group at least 50% of the time.

Where? I've never had anything like that happen on AA.

This usually seems to happen on AA WHEN ARRIVING AT LHR ONLY. To other European destinations as well as when returning to the USA there does not seem to be any Priority treatment for bags with the orange tags.

Thanks for the replies. It seems the general rule is that elites get PRIORITY stickers, though the system doesn't always work.

This query comes out of a "discussion" with the EVA ground supervisor at Saigon. As I mentioned in my OP, my general experience is that if you are entitled to PRIORITY (through class of travel or status) then you get a PRIORITY sticker. You may or may not get other stickers too. However EVA's policy is to only stick an "Evergreen Club" sticker on elite's baggage - although they promise priority handling. They say this will still give it priority - but I feel baggage handlers won't necessarily know that - unless of course its all encoded and sorted via the barcode. Most check-in staff just give a PRIORITY sticker anyway - or if they don't they will on request. Baggage with the "Evergreen" label just seems to come out together will all the non-priority stuff.

Saigon always refuse to put a PRIORITY label on. I told the supervisor of my experience - and she said she would "telex" Taipei to ensure my baggage got special handling, despite not having a priority sticker. Sure enough, it came off first.

She also said I should complain to HQ - but I wanted to know what other airlines do before I do that.

Works well with CO. My days of carron only ended two months ago when I accepted a new position that requires that I carry some tools

The job is good, and I certainly appreciate that BLUE sticker that's added to ensure that my suitcase is one of the first ones on the carousel. The one time they didn't add it (and I didn't notice) was when I was catching a standby earlier flight, and it took a LOT longer (maybe it just seemed that way) to get my bag.

EmailKid

The way it's suppose to work ,at least at my airline, is the priority bags are loaded last & thus the first ones off. The "local bag runner" is suppose to place the priority bags on the claim belt first.

UAL..........orange *A stickers.........it works in hubs and 50% elsewhere.

AC........orange *A stickers.......25% of the the it works.......I've had my bags come off last at times as well.......