What does happen to lost airport luggage?

Yet another report of the sad end to a happy holiday as we hear the sordid details of our suitcases being sold at auction to those planning on profiting from our misfortune with a quick sale on eBay. Regulars at Greasby’s auction rooms in Tooting, South London are already eagerly anticipating the arrival of the T5 windfall to their good fortune. Keen buyers willing to take days off work to “see what we can get” are purchasing our possessions without our knowledge or consent.

The chief auctioneer said hundreds of bags were sold off each week for between £5 and £50.The official airline policy states that three months elapses before luggage is sold, but reports last summer suggested that lots being purchased were clearly less than three months off the carousel.

Trace Me Luggage Tracker Managing Director, John Crosland, said “This is not merely an issue of losing one’s personal possessions, no guarantee is given that suitcases are de-sanitised prior to sale. Owners are being put at risk of identity theft when their personal items and details may be bought along with their dirty laundry.”

37 million pieces of baggage went missing in air transit last year and with air traffic increasing exponentially the misery looks set to continue. So what steps can we take to minimise the risk of seeing our personal belongings on eBay? If we cannot travel with hand luggage only then we have two choices: firstly to send our luggage ahead by courier; secondly to purchase a tracking device like the Trace Me tag - Tracemeluggagetracker.com.

“It’s the only safe and sure way to travel with bags in the hold and have peace of mind” said Crosland, “When they turn up, they essentially call home.”

The TRACE ME luggage system is part of the Mobile Equipment National Database (MEND), which holds billions of items of information relating to property ownership and is operated by the secure data firm Immobilise.

Immobilise has, over the past three years, established an impressive track record of working with the police and lost property authorities in re-uniting owners with their possessions. More than 17 million people and 43 UK law enforcement agencies already use the completely secure system to track lost property like mobile phones, car keys, jewellery and bicycles. The addition of a Luggage Registration and Recovery Service to their portfolio has proved hugely popular with sales of the tag across the globe. According to the Trace Me sales department tags are being sent out daily to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe and the US, with many overseas customers fearful of travelling to the UK without protection for their bags.

The use of a unique serial number and 2d barcode as identification also removes any worries travellers have over advertising their home as empty by writing their name and address on their luggage. With TRACE ME your personal details are hidden to all except those who can reunite you with your belongings.

By giving your suitcase its own passport, you may both return together from a happy holiday.