On Thursday I took the KL EWR-AMS flight. Thanks to NJ Transit problems (and me cutting it a bit close), I arrived at EWR with only 35 minutes to flight time.

Luckily I'd already checked in online, but the NW agents handling the flight wouldn't let me check my bag, so I ended up ditching the bag and carrying on the contents (which wasn't as bad as it sounds--long story).

The agents at the counter told me I could retrieve the bag from their lost luggage department on my return. Except my return was to JFK, and won't have occasion to go to EWR for 5 or 6 weeks. I said they could just toss it if they wanted, but they said they'd hold it for me (quite nice of them). The bag did have a name tag on it (although I think it had my parents' Iowa info--not my NYC info).

My question: how long will NW hold my bag at EWR? It's an old beat-up bag with half-broken zippers, so it wouldn't be a tragedy if I lost it, but I do find it useful every now and then (it's my biggest piece of luggage).

Should I try to call EWR and see what can be done? Think they'll let somebody else pick it up for me? Should I just write the thing off? I don't think I'm going to make a trip to EWR just to retrieve the thing...

Thoughts?