[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

As I, and others, have said, in other posts, SHIP IMPORTANT ITEMS AHEAD by UPS, Fedex, or DHL. If it's that important, then it's worth the extra cost.

If you dig through this site you can find more than one instance of people having to buy a duplicate set of clothes for a wedding--because they checked their original set with an airline, and it was either lost, or delayed. It astounds me that even some female road warriors will think nothing of putting that all-important outfit they plan to wear to a presentation in checked baggage, then wonder why it's not waiting for them at baggage claim.

The attitude and problems you described exist with, almost, all airlines nowdays. Guadalajara, like some Carribbean destinations, is one of those places where, in today's age of mediorcre airline service, one must allow two days to get to, and from, there: One day as far as Dallas or Houston--and the next day, non-stop, to GDL.