lost articles
 

Are lost articles with a filed report ever returned. I am giving up sicne I filed a report in December for a pair of sunglasses of sentimental value, lost in first class.

When I lost my jacket and camera on a NWA flight a few months ago, I was told more than once that if it isn't found and returned within the first couple of weeks it is highly unlikely to be returned. Also lower value items are only held I believe I was told 45 days and after that there is a good chance it was either donated to charity or perhaps ended up here:

http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/home.htm

Lost articles, as well as lost article reports are kept in the station they were found or filed for 1 week. After that, the items and reports are forwarded to Central Lost and Found in MSP where theoretically (SP?) everything is matched up -- if there is a report filed.

Not a perfect system but considering over 400 aircraft and almost as many airports that an item can be left in/on, it works reasonably well. One note: if an item is thought to be lost in an airport, one should file a report with the airport directly as that is normally where an item is sent if found in the terminal.

Boy, those airlines seem to be losing your luggage right and left...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum20/HTML/008017.html

And sometimes you'll be pleasantly surprised. This one's a great story:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/005269.html