LEAVING BEHIND MEMENTOES IN FLIGHTS, CARS, AND HOTELS

1. I was travelling with our Chairman, Dr. S S Baijal to Australia. Our first stop was Singapore. We had the hotel car to take us to the airport. As we were checking in at the First-Class counter, I noticed that my valet containing passport was missing. The Airlines called the hotel who called back to say that they have checked in the lounge where I was sitting before leaving the hotel. They even checked with the driver but no luck. Just as, I was bidding bye to Dr. SSB, the telephone rang at the airline counter. Low and behold, the driver had found my missing valet on the side of the seat where I was sitting. The car driver informed that he was driving back to deliver the same to me at the airport. I collected my valet as he arrived on the curb side and gave him whatever money I had in my pocket. Much relieved, I could fly out by the same flight.
2. Departing from HK during one of my visits, I forgot to empty the hotel room-safe to take out the valuables before checking out. I realised my mistake on my way to the new airport and asked the cab to return. Since I had already checked out, there were quite a few formalities to be completed before I could open the safe and retrieve my valuables.
3. Travelling from Brussels to Copenhagen accompanied by Livleen and Sara Cosemans, I left behind my laptop in the pocket in front of my seat. On arrival, Sara heard my name being announced on public address system and alerted me. On checking with Airlines, they told me about my laptop as they had identified me from the seat number. I got back my treasure after a few formalities.
4. Arriving in Delhi from USA, I took a domestic flight to Mumbai. On reaching Mumbai, I noticed that I had left behind my laptop at the Delhi Security-check. A couple of days later, I had to reroute my return to Chandigarh via Delhi for retrieving my Laptop from the Airport security. Luckily, my secretary sent me the invoice for the purchase of laptop so that the Security Dept could be satisfied that it was indeed my laptop.
5. On trip back from USA in 2021 December, I was returning to Chandigarh from Mumbai. Next morning, I noticed that my laptop was missing. I telephoned Vistara Airlines to check if I had left it behind in the plane. They said they check thoroughly before incoming passengers are allowed to board. No luck. Hectic inquiries with Mumbai Airport Security helped locate it with them. Evidently, I hadn't collected it post security check. Fortunately, Gurtaj & Livleen were flying to Chandigarh the next day and were able to bring back the same. It would seem I have become somewhat of an expert in retrieving laptops from Airport Security.
6. Three Episodes - USA.
i) I was visiting Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville Ok., where I was received by Company Rep at Tulsa airport. I picked up my bags and we drove over to Bartlesville, 45 miles away but with the wrong bag. The lady whose bag I picked up had her medications in that and insisted its delivery urgently. Poor Phillips guy had to make another trip to deliver her bag and get mine.
ii) I had flown to Nuevo Laredo from Mexico City to visit some mines. I could not find my bag, but a similar bag was on the belt. The Airlines traced my bag to a US citizen from Houston who had mistakenly collected my bag. I got my bag back from across the border either the same or next day (forgetting).
iii) Going to S. America from Houston, I forgot to collect my lap top post security. This was in 2005 when security was tightly enforced. Fortunately, I realised my mistake before the flight. After satisfying the security personnel, I could get my lap top back.