Unclaimed Luggage: Where it goes and how it gets resold
The ability to travel internationally by airplane, brought with it paranoia about lost luggage. Every passenger boarding ANY flight (even a direct one where luggage stays in the cargo area beneath the plane) harbors negative thoughts of “what if today is the day; what will I do without any of my clothes? How will I survive without my Kimonos, party pants and hair curlers? [or whatever the hell people over pack in their suitcases]” Truth is: this fear is quite reasonable when tourists travel internationally.
Since so many hands get on your bags between flights, cities and countries, there is not a single airline out there that can claim they have never lost a bag. While some airlines (Delta) lose more bags than others, the average among all carriers stands at about 6 lost bags for every 1000 passengers. There is an entire terrible process you must go through to even attempt recovery of your bags (something about filling out two, not one, but particularly two lost baggage claim forms and other forms, then waiting, then waiting more time). The reality is, when luggage gets lost it usually stays lost
So where do all these bags, filled with various people’s underwear and such, go?
To luggage heaven? No, they go to the Unclaimed Baggage Store in scenic Scotsborro, Alabama. How shady does this sound? These guys buy out baggage that has gone unclaimed for 90 days (what’s that? Your trip to the middle of the Amazon lasted 91 days and you had no way to claim your luggage? Shame) and sell the contents for a discount price. Like vultures, but without all the dead bodies. Check out the great items they pulled out from other people’s bags: an emerald, headless Barbie and (ok ready) A RATTLESNAKE. They even have the balls to put a “Travel Tips” section on their website (given the nature of how they get their merchandise, we doubt they want you to keep your stuff safe).
The point is: losing luggage (and trying to find lost luggage) is frustrating. To help try and avoid all this anxiety, you can simply travel light. As a backpacker, you shouldn’t have to check any baggage. Your backpack should meet the weight and size limitations of most airlines (Ryanair, and other smaller airlines have more restrictions than larger carriers). Okay so you won’t be able to bring your pet brick or an outfit for every occasion, but you will have the security of knowing you can get out of your seat and physically see ALL of your belongings. Our Backpacking 101 Guide: Backpack & Packing should help you lighten your load. As an added bonus, when you return from your adventure, feel free to shop at the Unclaimed Baggage Store and pour salt on the wounds of all those poor bastards who decided to check their bags.
Written By: Anna Starostinetskaya
7 Comments
Very interesting information. I think it is very wrong to keep somebody’s stuff and give you a time frame for it. The rules have to be change, airlines should do their best to give you your luggage back. If you have your luggage with you, it means you need it.
How dare other people to touch and open your suitcases.
This is my opinion.
Totally agree about luggage. Limit yourself to a carry-on and your life will be so much simpler when you fly. The odds are that you will get your luggage when you arrive, but why risk it. And why wait for 40 minutes for the luggage to come out when you do land.
Thanks guys!
At least if I lose my bags when I check them, all I have to do is drive a couple hours within my own state to search for them when I get home.
United airlines lost my luggage. I’m so upset about the situation. They already sent my cheque however I really really want my luggage back because some of my properties were priceless for me. but how can I find it. It’s too difficult. I want to go there and search it by myself…..but how???
I traveled on Delta for a 45 day business trip and Delta lost my bag that have EVERYTHING I owned in it, including scripts and dental retainer. They gave me a small overnight envelope with a tshirt and some useless stuff to get me through for 45 days. I’ve filed claims and keep following up with calls but my bag just. . . disappeared. Delta had absolutley NO regards for my wellbeing and offered NO emergency funds. I had to use all of my own limited resources to buy immediate necessities and I am waiting (probably >180 days while they “look” for my bag to be paid back. I will post results. DON’T check your bag with Delta! I will be contacting Better Business and my local congressman.