Ok, I've searched other forums and none of which really answered my question. I flew one way to India and then to Africa and now I am trying to buy a ticket back to the US. I've found on Delta it is cheaper to get a ticket to DC that connects in ATL rather than just buying one direct to ATL. My question is is there any way that I could just not take the connecting flight and still get my checked luggage to Atlanta? Since its a one way ticket it doesn't matter if Delta cancels the remainder of my itenerary, I just need to make sure my checked bag doesn't go all the way to DC.

Thanks for any help, sorry if there is already a similar post to this.

If ATL is your port of entry to the US, you pick-up your luggage anyway for CBP control. No one can force you to check the luggage in again.

Of course you can also ask for your luggage to be "short-tagged".

In most cases you would just not recheck the bag after customs/immigration and go on your merry way, but in ATL even to go to baggage claim you have to give up your checked luggage.

You could try just tag your bag to ATL instead of all the way to DC so after customs/immigration the bag will go to baggage claim instead of onward.

already answered.

deleted

I started a thread couple of months ago about a related thing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=782774.

So - if at the check-in they deny your request to short-tag your luggage, after picking it up for CBP you can request TSA to escort you from the sterile zone. The Flyertalkers said it should be possible, but it might raise some red-flags for you in the future... (e.g. bonus secondaries later on)

After you clear customs and immigration in ATL, why not rip off the luggage tag and eat it (or throw it away) then tell them that you did so because you have arrived at home in ATL.

I was going to mention tear of the tag at ATL, but someone beat me to it. In all reality, even if a customs agent saw you do this and inquired about it, just be honest. Tell them that it was cheaper for you to book to DC via ATL, but that you live in Atlanta. There won't care. Customs agents are people with bills and lives just like all of us, and don't care one whit for revenue protection for the airlines. All they care about is that you are not bringing anything illegal into the US or trying to exceed your duty free allowances. Or don't tear off the tag. The same customs agents have literally tens of thousands of people pass them every day. They are not looking at tags, and even if you get pulled in for a hands on inspection, give them the real story: I know my tag says DC, but I booked that fare because it was cheaper, and I'm getting out here.