Lost item on Lufthansa flight at O'Hare Lost and found?

Question

I left a pretty expensive ($200) laptop battery on our Lufthansa flight that arrived at Terminal 5 O'Hare a few days ago (just noticed it missing).

1. I called Lufthansa - they said they have no idea and I needed to talk to O'Hare

2. I talked to O'Hare, they said that there is no lost and found at O'Hare and that I need to contact the private cleaning services for those planes to figure it out.

This seems crazy - I'm sure people leave stuff all the time on planes, but how do they ever get them back? Usually, I just chalk the loss up to stupidity, but in this case, given the value, I'd like to see about getting it back, if possible.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your missing laptop battery. It can be frustrating, especially with an item of such value. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to increase your chances of getting it back, based on how lost items are generally handled at airports and airlines.

1. Lufthansa and O'Hare Communication:

It sounds like you're getting the runaround between Lufthansa and O'Hare, but don't give up just yet. When items are lost on planes, the airline is generally the best point of contact. Here are some steps you can take:

Re-contact Lufthansa: Call Lufthansa again and ask to speak with someone in their baggage handling or lost-and-found department. They may be able to escalate the situation to a specific team handling your flight. They have a process for dealing with lost items, and there could be a better solution if you contact the correct department.
Provide flight details: Make sure you have the exact flight number, date, and seat assignment ready. This will help Lufthansa narrow down your search for the lost item.

2. O'Hare Airport Lost and Found:

While O'Hare doesn’t have a central "Lost and Found" for all lost items, they do have a dedicated lost and found service that handles items found on the premises, including in the terminal, but not necessarily on the planes. That said, they may still be able to help if the cleaning crew has turned it in.

Contact O'Hare Airport Lost and Found: O'Hare’s Lost and Found can be contacted directly at +1 773-686-2300. When speaking with them, ask if they have any coordination with Lufthansa's staff for lost items from planes arriving at Terminal 5. While they typically deal with items lost on the airport grounds, it’s worth asking if they can put you in touch with the cleaning staff or the airline.
Lost and Found Website: You can also submit an online lost item claim on O'Hare’s official website, specifying the details of the item, your flight, and where you think it was left. Sometimes they have more luck tracking items down via online reporting systems.

3. Contact the Cleaning Service Company:

Since O'Hare mentioned the cleaning service company, it’s important to follow up with them. Airlines typically contract cleaning services to clean the planes after passengers deplane, and that's where many lost items end up being found. If you know the cleaning company used by Lufthansa, try contacting them directly. Some common companies serving O'Hare include Swissport and G2 Secure Staff, though you might need to confirm this with Lufthansa.

Follow Up With Cleaning Company: Ask if they have a lost-and-found process for items left behind on planes. Provide them with specific details (such as flight number, seat, etc.).

4. Tracking the Item through Other Means:

If the battery was attached to or associated with any other device (e.g., a laptop or phone), you may be able to track it via that device’s location service (if it has one), such as Apple's "Find My" or Google's "Find My Device." While this is a long shot, it’s worth trying if you have any other tech involved that could be associated with the item.

5. General Tips:

Act Fast: Lost items are often turned in quickly, but if too much time passes, they may not be returned. Try contacting both Lufthansa and O'Hare within 24-48 hours for the best chance of success.
Provide Descriptions: Be as specific as possible when describing the lost item. In this case, mentioning that it’s a laptop battery may be important, as it could help staff identify it faster (especially if it was in a specific bag or case).
Keep Records: Keep a detailed record of all communications with both Lufthansa and O'Hare, including any phone numbers, names of representatives, and times of contact. This will help you follow up more efficiently if necessary.

While the process can be a bit of a headache, don’t lose hope. If the battery was left on the plane, there’s still a chance it can be found and returned to you. Keep pressing Lufthansa and O'Hare for information, and follow up with the cleaning service to maximize your chances of getting your item back. Best of luck!

Lost item on Lufthansa flight at O'Hare Lost and found?

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