[PHXFlyer]

It can take a while to locate a missing bag especially if it's an international flight. Make sure you accurately described the bag because if the tag fell off somewhere along the way the description is all they'll have to identify the bag. It's always a good idea to have some form of identifying information inside the bag in case the tags go missing.

I wouldn't be so quick to blame the airlines for any theft of pilferage. Delayed bags still have to go through customs and when not accompanied by their owner they are usually sent to the customs area that handles cargo, mail, etc. Government employees steal all the time. There have been numerous cases of theft by TSA agents. I had a Bluetooth earpiece go missing at a TSA checkpoint once. I thought it might have fallen out in the x-ray machine. I asked the supervisor to check for me but all he did was hand me a form to fill out. It was later "turned in" by an "airport employee" who "found it" to the airport lost and found. I picked it up when I returned to Phoenix.