A few years ago my dad was flying into BOS and left his sport coat in the overhead bin. He realized it as he was leaving the airport, turned around and went to the ticket desk. They wouldn't let him go back to the plane to get it, but they took his name, number, description and said they'd call him if they found it. I think he also called the elite line to lodge his request. Someone called him later that day/evening saying they had it at BOS and he could go pick it up.

I think time is of the essence in getting lost articles recovered.