Cape Air & DL have a baggage agreement so I had planned to check the bags all the way through in both directions. We're leaving out of VIJ so I guess I can somewhat monitor whether the bags make it on board or not. I've never considered the scenario you bought up George. My husband has traveled the heck out of DL so we usually fly for free. Cannot combine a free ticket segment & paid ticket segment into one ticket..that I know of. Guess it's the risk. Hope our good travel insurance will cover us if it happens!!