I am flying the Delta flight for the first time, previously I have always taken the red eye. I will fly to ATL the previous night (about a 15 hour lay over) and stay in a local hotel. Do you get your luggage in ATL and re-check it? I would prefer this simply so I know it is less likely to get misplaced. Last time I overnighted in ATL due to a flight cancellation, my luggage did not make the flight with me.

I've seen it both ways. We checked our luggage through when we did it...and as predicted one bag did not make it to Bonaire but did show up the following morning on Continental.

Last February, we did the ATL night layover (also about 15 hours) and they made us collect our bags and re-check Saturday morning; even
n though when we checked in at ORD, they didn't charge baggage fees because it was to be an International itinerary.

We've always had to pick up our bags and then recheck them on Saturday morning. I'd just as soon know they got that far and then watch them being marked correctly for BON.

I am wondering about this as I'll be flying a similar itinerary in May and have a similar (abt 15 hour) layover.

Glad to hear that others have done it OK. I'll keep my "mission critical" things with me (regulator, computer, cameras) so that I can dive if my luggage takes a little longer.

Also, I'd make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time in the morning. I had an experience coming in on an international route, staying in Atlanta, then when re-boarding / re-checking there were VERY long lines. After being in line an hour and a half I was told i had to go to another line in order not to be charge baggage fees. If I didn't have status I would have missed my flight.

Get there with plenty of time if you're re-checking your bags.