AIBU to really hope our teddy is found? (Lost suitcase)

[LostLuggageLutonMissingBear]

I posted in Chat a few days ago but am getting desperate. I'm hoping someone might be able to advise or help, please! Landed 15.4.26 at Luton Airport from Beziers, France, traveling Ryanair. DH's checked bag has been lost, not on the carousel. (Our other 3x checked bags were all there.)

Reported to the baggage handlers SwissPort. They said to wait up to 5 days. Said it might have gone to Dublin as the plane went on to there, or could have been left at Beziers. They haven't heard back from either airport, and that's very unusual.

Sadly, we have a missing koala teddy! He is 37 years old and the first thing I ever bought for my now-DH. Yes, not a child's bear but he is much-loved and cherished; this koala has traveled on every journey and adventure our whole lives together. (And yes, he will not go in the hold ever again if we are lucky enough to get him back). Can anyone advise what else I could possibly do to get the bag back safely? I appreciate any advice at all!

I have now emailed every contact I can think of at the airport, and DH has phoned every number that seems relevant with most numbers out of service or not answering.

I am so worried. I know it's 'just a teddy' but to us he isn't just that, and we are so very much hoping we can find him. Anyone out there who works at Luton or for Ryanair and can advise, please?

Did you have any contact details in your bag? I always put in my email address and my work address (not home address because I’m scared of being burgled, even though that’s probably not a thing that happens). If so, just sit tight for a bit longer - the bag won’t have vanished; it’ll likely turn up.

If you didn’t, I guess just keep following up and contacting the airport every few days.

In my experience the bag usually turns up eventually, though.

I've looked at the timetable for Beziers - Luton and seeing as you flew back last Wednesday, the 15th, it is my bet that the case is stuck in Beziers and will turn up next Wednesday, late ish and you could hear from it being in Luton on Thursday.

That would be the next full rotation of aircraft, crew, airport staff and so forth. Just my hunch really but if you try to think like the French it would make sense.

Alternatively, your koala could have completed a full circuit of Luton - Shannon - Beziers - Luton by that time and still turn up late Wednesday/Thursday morning.

If you see what I mean?

No suggestions, OP, but hope that your koala returns home safe and sound after his grand adventure.

Usually they can track where the bag has been using the codes you will have on the luggage receipts given to you when you checked in the bag

No helpful advice re Koala's travels but simply to say I totally understand how a cherished cuddly toy can be important to adults.

Best wishes for getting Koala home safely very soon 🐨

According to the Ryanair website you should be able to make a PIR (Property Integrity Report) which gives you a ten character file reference. You should then be able to trace your bag:

https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/sections/12489260303377-Damaged-Lost-or-Delayed-Bags

Then click on the first heading in my rubbish link. Sorry. Had to switch phones yesterday after the battery in my old one swole up and threatened to explode.

Not understanding the new phone too well at the moment.

Thank you. Address was inside I think but not 100% sure. It will be next time. Hope you’re right about most coming back!

I hope this is all and stuck in the circuit. I have contacted Beziers myself and the said all 4 bags left on the ‘manifest’. But you never know - could have fallen off the cart.

Thank you so much. Positive vibes all help!

Yes, they have all that in the system, all reported. Fingers crossed.

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

Thank you, I did this at the airport. They just can’t find it.

No sign of Koala?

No sign. We have got Ryanair to review CCTV footage of the carousel and they report back no nefarious looking people grabbing two suitcases, and most people checking the own bag tags. (I know this isn't conclusive at all) My son has a theory it has fallen off the behind-the-scenes conveyor and will languish for a while until someone bothers to look. I have been stupidly upset about this. Why oh why is he in a checked bag! Agh. I have written to Ryanair head offices x2 in the hope they can get a behind-the-scenes check done. I am clutching at straws.

If my theory of the complete rotation of aircaft/crew/ground staff is correct - which is somewhat shaky, I admit - Koala might turn up late tomorrow evening, for return Thursday.

Sadly looking at the Flightaware website Ryanair operated BZR-LTN on both Friday (17th) and Saturday (18th) so if the bear had been found at Bezier they've already had an opportunity to repatriate him/her..it's also not good news that the locals reckon that all the bags were loaded.

Nevertheless keeping fingers crossed that the bag turns up soon.