I must have been lucky. I left a small shopping bag on my flight from SEA-HNL on NW and I was already at the baggage claim when I realized I left it on the plane. I went over to the luggage desk, told them what flight I just came off of and my seat number, and they had one of the cleaning people bring it over to them. I waited less than 20 mins or so. I was pretty gratefull though if I hadn't gotten it back, I wouldn't have been that upset. It was only a souveniour mug and some coffee for a friend. It might have helped that I was sitting in 1st and was Platinum Elite. Luckily that was the only thing I have ever left behind.