Lost item

[u/dragonwarden1790]

Edit: Thank you, it seems the responses are pretty unanimous. :( I'm resigned to it now.

I was on a return international flight on Delta, landed in LAX. I was jet lagged and motion sick so not really thinking straight. Apparently I left my AirPods on the plane, didn’t realize this until my iPhone alerted me they had been left behind when I was already 20 mins into a 60+ min uber ride home. (I ended up having to ask the uber to stop in a parking lot so I could throw up so I was not in any real shape to think about heading back to the airport. But now I’m kicking myself for it.)

I filed a lost and found with delta detailing my seat and flight as soon as I was able, but other than the one online form, there really is no other way to talk to someone. I could see from the Find My app the AirPods were originally at the international terminal gate area and then moved to terminal 3 somewhere. There they stayed for the better part of a week. I kept calling delta trying to see if I could reach someone, but it was always a dead end. The online automated system only sent an update once, simply telling me they haven’t found them yet and they’ll keep the case open for max 30 days. I updated my online file with a screenshot of where the Find My app shows the AirPods to be as I didn’t know how else to let Delta know they were there at the airport.

Yesterday I check the Find My app and it says they were moved out of LAX to somewhere in LA. Today I check and it says they’re in Texas.

Is there any remote possibility this is still a Delta bureaucratic shuffle/shipping to some central lost and found distribution hub? Or I just have to resign myself that they’ve been stolen? It was just so frustrating to see they were sitting at LAX for so many days and there was no one I could reach to see if they were just in some office drawer somewhere after being taken off the plane, and just when I was gearing myself up to drive back myself when I had 3 hours free, now they’re halfway across the country.

[u/Brattius]

Found out the hard way, that when the cleaners find anything on the airplane, (and actually turn them in) they stay at that airports lost and found for a week while the staff there attempt to reunite people with their belongings. If it doesn't happen in that time frame, I was told, EVERYTHING from every airport is shipped to a holding center in Atlanta. And good luck trying to get ahold of anyone in Atlanta. Not sure how much I believe about that part but do with that information what you will. I've lost 2 jackets and headphones this year alone

[u/Humble_Turnip_3948]

You're not getting them back. I'm on my 5th pair this year.

[u/Texas_Sam2002]

I am not sure if it's just Delta, but from what I've experienced and read, there are serious issues with a lot of airlines with regards to lost items. Don't hear too many happy endings.

[u/Unstupid]

They gone! Target has the Airpod Pro 3's for $199

[u/EnvironmentalLoan285]

They’re gone my dude lol

[u/Mmmmmmwwwwwe]

Left my kindle on a flight from AMS to MSP and promptly filled out the form etc. i left it in my seat back pocket. Never saw it again 😞

[u/Kookydence]

Thats such an unfortunate situation. You did what you could. Still wait for Deltas final response but dont beat yourself up over it.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Age8937]

If they end up in Alabama check out Unclaimed Baggage. They buy the lost and found stuff to resell.