The holidays are upon us in the United States, and you have probably started your Thanksgiving cooking...or perhaps you have initiated your Thanksgiving vigil in front of the TV...watching hour after hour of football. On the other hand, you may still be EN ROUTE to your holiday destination....and if you're like me - you're desperately hoping your bags make it there with you. Airports are notoriously busy around this time of year, and accompanying all of those extra bodies is a lot of missing luggage. You know, meaningless stuff like the ring your great grandmother gave you before she passed, or the designer suit you flew all the way to Thailand for?
We hope you're not that guy. Regardless, have you ever stopped to think about what actually happens to all the stuff that doesn't get claimed at various airports around the world? Don't worry, I haven't either. But there is actually a very good answer to that question. After about 90 days of extensive tracking, airlines eventually declare the baggage unclaimed. Then they sell it through an exclusive contract to the Unclaimed Baggage Center just outside of Huntsville, Alabama.
Over a million items pass through the store annually, and it looks like you can get some screaming deals if you aren't opposed to paying for other people's losses. For instance, a Gap ladies yoga jacket set somebody back $4, while a Ralph Lauren Sweater (new) went for $25. Want a peak at some of the bizarro things they uncover while unpacking all those bags? Here's a few to get you started:
- A full suit of armor was found in a bag. It's a real replica of a 19th century original!
- Egyptian artifacts, including a mummified falcon and a shrunken head (yuck!) was found amidst scraps of paper in an old Gucci suitcase.
- A staff member found a live rattle snake in a piece of luggage. TSA, can you please tell me why this traveler wasn't stopped?
Have a great Thanksgiving, and think again before you throw the pet rabbit in with your luggage because you can't bare to leave home without him......
