is it normal for the bottom piece (with the baskets) to have about an inch or two of slide/motion when it is in the collapsed/locked mode?

It is clearly the design due to the taper of the piece. I would not try tightening to stop this or you will over stress the flicklock. It is just the way these are due to having tapered sections.

Yeah on this pole the bottom piece will slide around with 2inches of play, kind of annoying if you have them on you're pack a lot... I used these poles for a few seasons till i bent one of them somehow. Instead of these I got a set of BD Trail trekking poles last winter and they have none of this bottom piece sliding around. They are not a ski pole but the flicklocks are 4-season rated. They are also 3 ounces lighter than the expedition pole, and have a choice grip. These poles are in the "Hiking & camping" section under trekking poles check em out here's the url: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/BLD0413/Black-Diamond-Trail-Trekking-Pole.html

i went to REI and all of theirs seemed to do the same thing. so i would venture to guess it's normal, although it seems like a weird oversight to me. i guess maybe the bottom section of the poles just tapers too much for the clamp to be effective on that last couple of inches. anyone reps/employees from black diamond on here that can confirm?

What did you find out Spencer J ? I just got mine and they do the same thing. Not a big deal but if they had a bad batch I would want a good set. I tried tightening the screw witch helps but then the clamp is to tight to lock in the operating position.

No they are supposed to lock tight and not move on you. See if you can tighten it yourself, or contact Black Diamond.