Well Graham, ya see there COULD be a VERY logical explanation to all this. This COULD have ALL just been simple matter of "miscommunication" here. Yep, ya see, those WERE employees of
US Airways who took your carry-on bag from you in Albany as you told 'em to check it right on through to LHR, RIGHT?!
AND, do you recall how many times in Poland last year I had to ask you to please repeat yourself 'cause for the LIFE o' me I could NOT understand what the heck you had just tried to say to me the FIRST time...because of that ACCENT of yours?!
(...and so, there's just ONE "logical" explanation for your lost/delayed piece of luggage RIGHT THERE, ol' buddy!!!)
