Hi,
As I read the Nov11 dated DOT reports, the *average* for mishandled baggage- which does include late, damaged and lost (so it's all encompassing) is 2.81 per 1,000 carried passenger.
That to me also says, conversely the success rate was 997.19 per every 1000 carried passenger.... If my math is correct, this to me at least seems like a very enviable rate considering all the logistics in play.
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/repor...vemberATCR.PDF
(page 32)
While that may be of little solace to you if you're one of that 2.81, I would note that according to the DOT, the overall odds you'd be impacted is in fact very, very small... again to the tune of 2.81 per 1,000
If that's the "current standards of service" I see no shame there, but of course always room for improvement.