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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Here’s another reason to always pack clean underwear

Knock wood, I have (or more accurately, an airline has) lost my luggage only once. And it wasn’t really lost, it just took a later flight than I did, thanks to bad weather at my connecting airport.  I know there are some poor souls who’ve never gotten their luggage back, and stacks of luggage that never finds its way home. And while the premise makes sense, in a Goodwill/Salvation Army Thrift Store way, I am a little creeped out by the bargain-hunting that goes on at the Unclaimed Baggage Store, mostly because the goods at a charity thrift store were donated, while the merchandise at UBS is “donated” by default. The UBS site claims they have found antiques, art, expensive electronics and gemstones in lost luggage.

woman's luggage contents

Admitted voyeur Luna Laboo has been buying lost luggage, photographing the contents and posting it on her Is This Your Luggage website, hoping to reunite the goods with their owners.  Most of the cases contain clothes, but one on the site includes some souvenirs and gifts from Mexico or South America or maybe just the American Southwest.

Here’s a tip to keep your luggage both off her site and out of the Unclaimed Baggage Store: use a real luggage tag, not one of those free paper ones the airline hands out at the check-in; put two business cards in your luggage – one taped to the inside bottom of the case, and one in an inside pocket of the case. And maybe a third in an outside pocket. Oh, and stop tossing your loose diamonds and emeralds in with your dirty socks, okay?

12 comments:

Raina Cox said...

Tips so noted. Perfect timing for me. Thanks ever so much!

cheatymoon said...

I think it would be too weird to purchase any of that. Bargain or not...

Anonymous said...

And once again -- this is why I never check.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I'd buy it either. Thanks for reminding me about the clean underwear lol!

Brunch at Saks said...

Just found your blog- love it! I agree with you- buying a good, sturdy luggage tag is essential while traveling! Great post! Looking forward to reading more of your blog :) XO

laura said...

Funny, I put and emerald and diamond pendant in Kleenex in my luggage on a trip to London foolishly thinking that it would be safer there than on my person and sure enough, that little package made to look like I had blown my nose and stuffed wadded up Kleenex into a pcoket was missing...why? Because I forgot about my plan and threw out the whole deal when I got home. It was only a few weeks later when I realized what I had done and I felt like a moron!!

knitseashore said...

The business cards are a great idea -- but I'll still try not to check things if I can help it. That UBS *does* sound creepy!

The House That A-M Built said...

Oh Robin, how my hubby and I laughed when you suggested our first painter come back and dust. .....you should have seen him....bushy beard, cigarette stained teeth, rusty truck and he proudly told me he has never had plumbing... he uses a bucket! ..... and he was painting my beautiful house! Great tips for the luggage! A-M xx

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I always worry about my luggage disappearing. These are good tips. I think it's so interesting that Luna Laboo (what a great name!) takes photos of the lost stuff and posts it on her website. I have to check that out!

essbesee said...

good to know!

Anonymous said...

Hi Robin- thanks for stopping by my blog, great to cyber-meet you :-)

Really enjoying checking out your blog, what a funny story--I love the funky project of collecting lost luggage and photographing it... would make an interesting art piece, I bet!

--Lilah (Urban Sardines)

Fifi Flowers said...

WOW that is amazing... I will remember to carry my jewels on moi when I travel next!