The introduction of internet reservations has made it so that just about every plane is filled to the max as it is. Cutting that in half to accomodate a 2nd plane following with baggage would not satisfy America's necessity to fly. The cost of fuel on a plane is offset by the passengers. Sending planes empty would more than double the cost of to passengers. I just don't see how it could work. It would be a good idea from a safety standpoint but, the cost would make it impossible. JMHO
Faulty reasoning. The number of necessary planes remains the same. The primary constraint of airliners is not the number of passengers, but the total weight. I do not know this for a fact, but I am willing to bet that the weight of freight and luggage exceeds passenger weight.
In addition, the amount of fuel needed for any given trip (and thus the efficiency in the use of fuel) is directly proportional to the total weight of the aircraft.