Hi all

Some combination of Air Canada and United have lost my bag. Here's what happened:

1. Flew from SIN - ORD on July 31st on UA. Was booked on UA flight to YUL later that evening. Bag was collected by me at ORD and then checked in to UA at the connections baggage belt. This was the last time I saw my bag

2. UA Flight to YUL was canceled. United booked me on an AC flight leaving later that evening. AC flight was subsequently canceled and I was given a hotel voucher and booked on a flight the next morning. At each stage I inquired about my bag and was told everything would be fine.

3. Finally arrived at YUL on August 1st on an AC flight. A whole bunch of bags were missing, including mine. Filed a claim with AC, was told I would be given a call.

4. I bought approximately $200 of clothes in Montreal because I had no change of clothes. I kept all receipts.

5. Was called on August 2nd to say my bag was at YUL. I told them to leave it there because I would be back on August 3rd to fly back to YYC. Arrived at YUL on August 3rd and there is no sign of my bag, and the baggage agent has no idea why I was contacted because the system says my bag has not been located. I walked around YUL and checked every damn baggage room. My bag was not there.

6. I have a friend who lives in Chicago. He drove out to ORD today and spoke to UA and AC. Both carriers checked all their baggage rooms and could not find my bag. The AC guy told him that a bunch of bags today were sent to YUL, but apparently they did not keep a record of which bags were sent.

This entire situation gives me zero confidence that anybody knows where my bag is, or is trying very hard to trace it. AC procedure states that I should wait 5 days, and then fill out a giant multiple page claim form and wait 21 days before they pay some kind of compensation. This is not an acceptable situation for me, as all my best work clothes and social / going out clothes are in that bag, together with other important items such as my girlfriend's birthday present, and all my notes for my MBA program.

Does anybody here have any experience with lost baggage? Specifically, I'd like to know:
1. What is the best way to get my bag back??
2. If I pass the 5 day threshold, can I start buying some clothes to replace what is lost? Should I claim the value of what I buy, or what I lost?? In either case, the US$1,500 under the Montreal Convention will probably be insufficient to cover what was lost, or what will replace it.
3. I also have personal travel insurance. Does this apply in addition to the US$1,500?
4. What happens if I buy a bunch of clothes, and then my bag is subsequently located. Have I just wasted a bunch of money or will I still be reimbursed??

Thanks in advance for any assistance

Dave