I thought that ending shot was meant to be ironic. Mel's baggage was retrieved, but Mel herself will never be found.
You've seen Guy Standeven in something because the man was in everything.

that delayed bag was the cause of the whole ordeal. Perfectly reasonable to show it in that way.

But if it were checked baggage, that would mean that the person handling the baggage would have to know who it belonged to. So does that mean that there are TWO people involved: one at the departure airport (who flags the baggage somehow) and someone at landing who then delays the baggage?
Doesn't really make sense to me.

I don't think it was a conspiracy involving the airport staff, but it's a possibility.

I just watched this for the 2nd time and it's not a totally crazy idea. If their luggage is delayed on a late flight, it at least sets ups a scenario for the shuttle driver.
A director's commentary would be great for this movie!

I guess I'm the only one who read a little more into it
I concluded that someone in AIRPORT BAGGAGE is also in on the lookout for vulnerable/desirable girls to kidnap. The luggage getting lost delayed the girls from leaving the airport right away (making them the last ones there) and easier to kidnaphence revealing the conspiracy & amount of people working together in the scheme is much LARGER then one might think. Definitely an excellent final shot and sent a slight chill!
You saw it come outlooked like the following morning. Probably got a call saying "its done" and they just threw the bag on the conveyor belt without a care in the world.
I'm just sorry there wasn't a Director's Commentary on the discloved to have heard what he truly was trying to convey.
Flaming welcome, but that's how I took it.
I'm your average ordinary everyday, jorgeegeetooo!

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It was apparently an attempt by the "filmmaker" (a term so inaccurately used in this sentence, that I was barely able to get it out) to give this POS film a pastiche of "artistry."
Bad films are a crime against humanity.

For me, it was just one final horrifying realization that Mel would never be heard from again. (The red suitcase was hers, in case you didn't catch that at the beginning.)
"This isn't TV, it's real life. Can't you tell the difference?"
"Sure - I just like TV better."

I think its lost luggage that will never be found A simile of Mel, lost and never to be found again

or they show it so the next time you're picking up your suitcase from the conveyor belt at an airport and you see a suitcase without owner you'll think about the movie and wonder if the owner is one her way to a brothel in the Far East

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What was that ringamarole with the shoes picture as well ?