For several months last year I was carrying a cheap wooden stool with me every week. (I had three herniated discs and couldn't stand for long periods.) US didn't put it on the carousel, it was late and I didn't feel like waiting. I just assumed it went elsewhere and at $18 I didn't worry about losing one every few months. No claim filed, didn't worry about it. About six or seven weeks later I was by the window outside the baggage claim office and noticed it (couldn't be seen from the counter side.) The agent was using it. I went in, asked him to check under the seat and sure enough there was my name and phone number. Although this stayed there several weeks, I wouldn't count on luggage waiting for you that long. YMMV