oh, and I thought I was the only one whose luggage was lost for four solid weeks. Happened with LH from FRA to TXL over Christmas, with the snow and all. After I didn't make my flight due to security control in FRA being closed off because of a suspicious something, I arrived in Berlin 5 hours later, but no sign of my suitcase - or anybody's, for that matter. So, waiting in line for another hour just to fill in the papers. Then, spending my Christmas holiday calling LH, but noone knew about the whereabouts of my suitcase. Thank God my mum and I can swap clothes, so I didn't have to buy so much.... My laptop and study books were in the suitcase too, since I had planned to work on my thesis during the holiday. As were all Christmas presents for family and friends.
Back in Frankfurt 2 weeks later, still no sign of the suitcase - until it miraculously turned up another 2 weeks later, totally unharmed, except the laptop's battery was empty.

For replacement, I went shopping in Berlin, got a new winter coat and underwear and cosmetics, and some more in Frankfurt, got a pair of boots and at the end of the 3rd week a netbook. The problem was that I had put everything in the suitcase in order to minimize hand luggage because the plane was going to be packed. LH paid all the underwear and toiletries and half of the clothes and the netbook, but I must say that I was lucky. Because of another luggage issue that my boss had, a LH agent called my company in January, so I grabbed the opportunity and told her about my problem. And she sorted it out. Before talking to her, the hotline ppl had all been contradicting each other and incapable of giving any proper information. Without that agent, my suitcase would probably still be sitting in TXL, and I still wouldn't have seen any cash.

Lesson for next time though: Always take a carryon with stuff for at least 2 days.