It could quite possibly be in Scottsboro, Alabama! That is where the Unclaimed Baggage Center is located. As airline "savvy" as I profess to be, even I have become separated from my precious life stuffed in a suitcase while traveling. Usually, I only do carry-on bags for obvious reasons, but on one occasion I was traveling with a 2 year old and it was necessary to pack half the house (not just the kitchen sink) in a suitcase and check it. I was going direct from Philadelphia (airport code = PHL) to Sacramento (SMF) on just one airplane so I figured "just how lost can my luggage get?". Well, even I was surprised when I arrived in Sacramento and there was no luggage belonging to me going round and round on the turnstile. I went to Baggage Claim to inquire as to where my luggage could've possibly gone and I was met with a very matter-of-fact "Poughkeepsie, NY...happens all the time." Well, as luck would have it, Newburgh/Poughkeepsie Airport has an airport code of SWF, very similar to SMF, or perhaps not. Apparently some illiterate moron working the ramp in Philly sees fit to send about half a dozen bags a night to the "other" SMF. I couldn't believe my ears. They were actually telling me to my face that this happens nightly, but no one seems to be addressing the situation. After several days and many phone calls later, I was finally reunited with all the toys, videos, and clothes that I had packed to keep my 2 year old busy on our vacation, but I know some people aren't as lucky as I was. Some folks have lost their luggage for good,or so they might think! There is a good chance you can go to the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama and buy your stuff back at a discounted price. Each day, this Wal-Mart sized shopping warehouse stocks more than 7000 items they receive as lost luggage from over 21,000 flights in the United States. You can shop inside the actual store or online at www.unclaimedbaggage.com. It's like an outlet mall!
Lost luggage is the phenomenon in which a public carrier, airline, ship or train does not send a passenger's luggage to the correct destination to arrive with the passenger.
How did you keep your 2-year-old busy while waiting for your stuff to be returned?? Go shopping for more stuff? I think that's what I would do in that moment of desperation! I'm a frequent traveler and my luggage got lost in quite 'different' circumstances. Phew, I wouldn't want that to happen again.
Posted by: Deb | 06 June 2008 at 23:02
I can't believe all the things people pack in their check-ons! Did you see the huge emerald?!!
If I lived near the Unclaimed Baggage Center I'd be there all the time looking for bargains while feeling guilty for taking advantage of other peoples misfortune.
Posted by: Julie | 07 June 2008 at 10:16
That could be the next family vacation...a trip to the Unclaimed Baggage Center! Yeah! Maybe I should see if there is anything else to do in Scottsboro before I go, huh?
Posted by: Annie | 08 June 2008 at 07:09
I was really lucky with my 2-yr old. He was easy to entertain. The people we were visiting had lots of Legos and Disney movies.
Posted by: Annie | 08 June 2008 at 18:14