What To Do About Lost Luggage

Forget the stress of long lines at security checkpoints, delayed or cancelled flights, and other mishaps at an airport, because, when you think about it, they don’t hold a candle to dealing with lost luggage. One episode has the propensity to make even the most seasoned traveler want to sit down in the middle of the floor and cry (and probably a few of them have).

When this happens to you, however, you will be better prepared to handle the situation, because you will have read these few simple tips.

• As soon as you realize that you are now the victim of lost luggage (which will occur when the baggage carousel has made its fourth or fifth revolution and your luggage is nowhere to be seen), immediately check with the airline you were using. They can determine if your luggage may only be on a different flight rather than lost.

If this is the case, they can inform you of the arrival time for your formerly lost luggage. Depending on when that is, you can then decide if you want to wait for it or arrange to have it sent to your final destination.

• If it is determined that your luggage definitely falls into the category of lost luggage, then you need to immediately file claim forms with both the airline you flew on and with the TSA. Airline check-in counters have the forms required by their individual carriers. You can get a TSA claim form from the TSA office at the airport or you can download one online.
• Once you have completed and filed the necessary lost luggage claim forms, leave a copy of your itinerary with everyone with whom you filed a claim form. By having this information, they will know where to send your luggage or where to contact you to come pick it up.
• Do all of this BEFORE leaving the airport. That way you won’t have to come back. And think about this, also. During the time you are completing and filing the forms, your lost luggage might very well show up.

Reference:

https://www.worldtravelers.org/lost_luggage.asp