1/ Airport Screening Checkpoint (1 found, 1 lost)

I left a jacket at the DTW airport TSA.

TSA has a website. Enter: airport, day/time, which checkpoint, item specifics.

If found, you buy a prepaid UPS label.

I lost a wallet at Delhi Airport in India. Same steps, not found.

2a/ On Plane - left airport (4 found, 1 lost)

I recovered my Kindle 4x on the plane. Lost 1 hoodie.

Each airline has a website. Flight and route, date, seat #, item specifics.

If they find it, you can pick it up at the airport or they will mail it to you.

2b/ On Plane - still at gate

If you're still near your gate, fetching a forgotten item from the plane is much easier, but you need help.

Ask the member of the ground staff if someone can retrieve it. Give them your seat # and describe what you forgot.

Easy peasy.

3/ On Public Transportation (1 found, 0 lost)

I left my cell phone on the airport bus from Tokyo's Narita Airport to my hotel.

I went to my hotel's front desk. Provided them my bus departure time and where I sat on the bus. I got it back that night.

I was lucky I was in Japan.

4/ Hotel (3 found, 0 lost)

I've left clothing items hanging in the closet.

I call the hotel and provide my room # (on your app and the bill). If found, they will return the item.

NOTE: a hotel will NEVER proactively contact you. You may have told family you were somewhere else.

RECAP: If you forget something on the road, you can get it back.

• TSA and airline lost & found websites

• On the ground personnel

• Local hotel staff

Proactively reach out. Be specific - what it looks like, when/where you lost it (flight/room/seat #). You could get lucky!