Flight connections pose the biggest problem — transfers from one aircraft to another accounted for almost half the bags that were missing on arrival in 2007.
Mishandled baggage cost airlines and airports $3.8 billion last year.
Years ago, the Unclaimed Luggage and Goods Boutique in downtown Ottawa helped find new owners for unclaimed bags. But the store has moved several times in the past decade, and if it still exists, its current location is a secret well kept by bargain hunters.