I left my motorcycle helmet (brand new, not yet on my head apart form trying it on at the shop) in the overhead bin. I remembered just before boarding my connecting flight - I asked the agent at the gate, who really seemed to not care (these things are worth $1000, darn it!), and it seems that the United site is more to try and make you feel better, with a "don't call us, we'll call you" type message from the email.

Very annoying, but I hope that helmet saves the new owners' life, after Karma nails them with a crash...

Having said that, had it happened in Tokyo, I swear, they would have dispatched a lear jet to follow me to the next airport, so the agent who found it could personally hand it back...

In Tokyo, it either stays where you left it, or if someone knows how to find you, they will hunt you down for the most trivial of items. Amazing...

Z...