I don't think your experience is common, at least not post COVID.

Just this year, flying direct to Hawaii, checked a bag because of baby gear. United cancelled the flight and due to staffing, would not/could not return checked bags (so I could fly Alaska) for almost 24 hours.

The bags has not left SFO. They literally took a day to move them from the back to the front.

I only made my new flight by finding the right person who was willing to task someone to go pull my bag early.