Comments on: I left my iPod in the seat pocket!

Question: I left my iPod in the seat pocket!

mhm — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 10:04:27 -0800

I left my iPod in the seat pocket on a flight from SFO to IAD (I changed planes and went on to ROC) yesterday. I've made some attempts to locate it, but with the holiday travel and the huge backup due to Denver being closed, I'm having little success. I'm jumping through the hoops with the airport and airline, but having a tough time due to the heavy traveler volume. Has anyone else lost an item by leaving it in the seat pocket and got it returned? Any tips?

By: rolypolyman

rolypolyman — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 10:15:21 -0800

Post the airline and flight number, and I might be able to help you find that plane's movements and where it can be expected today. Frankly I think it's a lost cause once the overnight contract cleaning crew finds something like an iPod, but if you're lucky, maybe they didn't bother digging into the pocket. If you bug someone at the airline and have your ducks in a row, there's a long shot that they can get a gate person to go check the seat.

By: Merdryn

Merdryn — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 11:11:02 -0800

Calling the airline's baggage service at IAD (who will usually relay your message to the gate) is the best approach. I've lost valuable electronics on planes before, and I've always had them returned.

By: grapefruitmoon

grapefruitmoon — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 11:47:36 -0800

I've lost my passport in the seat pocket before and had it shipped to me by calling the airline directly and talking to customer service. Of course, it did help that passports have your name printed in them.

By: gleuschk

gleuschk — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 15:39:55 -0800

I left my laptop in the seat-back pocket on a Salt Lake -> Cincinnati flight, where I was connecting to France. My now-wife (we weren't even married yet!) got it back. It was waiting when I got back.

She says just keep calling Lost&Found in IAD. If you can, find out whether the aircraft made a quick turnaround and went on somewhere else, and where that was. Small things like ipods might not be noticed for a leg or two.

By: cmicali

cmicali — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 15:44:24 -0800

I don't want to be a party pooper, but I have lost so many things in the back pocket of plane seats that I have trained myself to put everything in my pockets into my carry-on bag before I sit down. I have never been successful getting anything back, despite trying quite hard on many occasions.

That being said, I wish you the best of luck. Call lost and found, fill out any forms you can, keep trying.

By: clarkstonian

clarkstonian — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 15:59:38 -0800

I left a Nikon D-70, extra battery, lens & card on a plane (stupid, yes, I know) - but someone found it & turned it in. By going immediately to the lost & found, I got it back. Since you didn't go immediately, your best hope is going to be to keep calling. There are a lot of honest people at the airport - don't give up hope.

By: TrashyRambo

TrashyRambo — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:14:53 -0800

I did a similar thing and my travel insurance paid up with little fuss.

By: allkindsoftime

allkindsoftime — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:36:43 -0800

Tip for not losing the next one (or it, should you recover it) - don't use the seatback pocket. As a weekly traveler, I can't stress this enough - those things eat up personal belongings like silent cloth and metal monsters. I either put it in my own pocket or lap, or (for larger items like my laptop) under the seat in front of me. Easiest way to not forget something is having it always visible.

Best wishes getting yours back.

By: allkindsoftime

allkindsoftime — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:38:47 -0800

Oh, and perhaps try here. More than likely someone honest would just give it back to the airline, but who knows...

By: drstein

drstein — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 23:38:54 -0800

Yeah, keep bugging the airline. You might get lucky. When I worked in air cargo at SEA years ago, I had a pair of earmuffs make two trips around the world and I got them back.

Then I left them on a flight to Portland, and they were stolen. hah.

By: mhm

mhm — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 08:22:36 -0800

Thanks for all the tips. I've been trying to speak with someone, anyone, since I realized I left it there, about 45 minutes before my connecting flight boarded. The voice mailbox for IAD Lost and Found is full, Baggage services at UAL is jammed with other callers, the email link on the UAL website for baggage services is broken....ugghhh. I'll keep trying, but with the holidays and heavy travel it's tough going. Maybe Apple will come out with something even better at MacWorld and ease my loss ;)

By: Chris4d

Chris4d — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 09:49:14 -0800

Lost my iPod the same way. The airline was helpful and optimistic about my chances, but I never got it back. Sorry to say, you've already done everything you can, now you have to hope you get lucky.