I left a pouch with the power cord and battery pack to my portable DVD player after a flight and didn't realize it until the next morning. I immediately did the claim form, had the flight number, plane N-number, seat number, the works. But nothing. Perhaps someone found it and declared, "Just what I've needed, power cords and a battery to a Toshiba portable DVD player in a Philippine Airlines amenity kit container!"
My damn fault for not double checking, but at least I was able to find replacement parts. I think one factor in recovery is luck. Did the person who discover it turn it in to as AS employee? Did the AS employee turn it in to the right place? I have no expectations of recovery, but am curious where it ended up. :/