Going back to the weights and balance issue, and as a person who is accustomed to travelling to Latin America, yes its very true that your flight could suffer a weights and balance issue. The first time this happened to me, I told this to a friend of mine and without me telling her where I went she said "so where did you go panama, mexico, or dominican republic?" It would seem these flights, among other latin america flights usually have weights and balance issues. I actually confirmed this on my next flight out to mexico; you know strike up a conversation with a pretty agent (yes old bob is a horn dog... but a SINGLE, old horn dog) and yes it would seem latin flights are victims of "weight restrictions" as she put it, because the people take back so much stuff and usually, with no hesitation, pay the overwight bag fee.
So I think the BIG question is: how did old Bob, frequent flyer for many moons, know about the weights and balance issue, and someone who's in aviation not know about weights and balances on an airplane? THAT to ME is kinda scary actually.
Also as I have learned first hand, theft is rampant in latin american countries and even the people that are from there know better than to pack anything and I mean ANYTHING of value in their checked luggage. Another sad fact, if it happened in Panama, you're pretty stuck, because no one will accept responsibility. Sadly your bags were never in full possession of Delta, between Delta, Customs, TSA, baggage handles, even the delivery service, any or all could have "sampled" your wares. So just complaining to the airline won't get you very far. You would have to complain to each company and watch how each will say "It wasn't us!" It's sad, it's very, very sad, but when your dealing with another country, there's not much you can do. The airlines will only do so much and then you're on your own. believe me, I know.
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