Every year, millions of people travel by plane in the United States. Most checked bags arrive safely at the airport. There is a more than 99.5% chance passengers get their bags back.
If a bag is lost, airlines look for it for 90 days. During this time, the owner can still receive the bag. If nobody claims it after 90 days, the airline sells it.
Many of these unclaimed bags go to Scottsboro, Alabama. They arrive at a large store called Unclaimed Baggage. It is the only lost-luggage store in the United States.
Inside Unclaimed Baggage
Unclaimed Baggage works with all major US airlines. It also works with bus companies, trains, hotels, and car rentals. Every day, workers open and check many lost suitcases.
They clean each item carefully. Then they decide what to sell, donate, or recycle. Items for sale are often up to 80% cheaper than store prices.
The store is very large, about 50,000 square feet. Shoppers can find clothes, shoes, bags, and electronics. Many famous brands appear, like Apple, Gucci, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton.
In 2024, about 500 million bags were checked on US flights. Another 2.1 billion bags were carried onto planes. This shows how many items pass through the store each year.
History and Special Finds
Unclaimed Baggage began in 1970. A man named Doyle Owens started the business. He bought 110 lost bags using a truck and $300.
In 1995, Oprah Winfrey called the store a “best-kept shopping secret.” After that, the store became very famous. Today, more than one million people visit every year.
The store also has a small museum. It shows unusual items found in lost bags. These include a Michael Jordan basketball, a medieval suit of armour, and a 3,500-year-old Egyptian burial mask.
People love the store because it is full of surprises. Shoppers say, “You never know what you will find.” A lost bag often starts a new story with a new owner.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Lost – not found
My bag is lost at the airport.
Traveller – a person who travels
The traveller waits for his bag.
Airline – a company that flies planes
The airline helps passengers.
Checked bag – a bag given to the airline
She has one checked bag.
Claim – to say something is yours
He claims his suitcase.
Unclaimed – not taken by the owner
The bag is unclaimed after 90 days.
Suitcase – a bag for travel
Her suitcase is very heavy.
Store – a place to buy things
The store sells lost items.
Sell – to give something for money
They sell clothes cheaply.
Donate – to give to help others
The company donates many items.
Recycle – to use again
Old bags are recycled.
Visitor – a person who comes to a place
Many visitors come every year.
Brand – a famous company name
This jacket is a popular brand.
Price – the cost of something
The price is very low.
Cheap – not expensive
The shoes are cheap.
Museum – a place with old or special things
The store has a small museum.
Unusual – not common
They find unusual items.
History – events from the past
The store has a long history.
Surprise – something unexpected
Shopping here is a surprise.
Owner – a person who has something
The bag gets a new owner.
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