Entering the airport, we head through the lobby and past the line of passengers also waiting to pass the TSA check point. I notice a woman in a hot pink t-shirt and gleaming white pants walking away from the check point with her young son. As soon as we pass them, they turn and head back toward that check point. A man in jeans and a white t-shirt stand in front of us unloading a couple of smaller bags. He calls back to the boy and demanded that he stay with his mother.

I placed a bowl after the man’s items, then my rolling suit case and then other items before I pass the metal detector. The man is gone and so is my roller. My dismay and concern go without any interest on the part of the people who’s motto is “your safety is our priority! Instead, I am met with demeaning and rude comments implying that I just didn’t have it because there wasn’t any other bag left there and bags don’t just disappear! Are you kidding me?

So, what should you do if this happens to you?

First, if they have not already done so, ask someone to have an announcement made asking for the bag to be returned and to call airport police right away. You will have to wait at the check point until the police come if you do call for them. If you are traveling with someone else, you can also have them go and look at each gate for your luggage if you want.

I went to the first gate that I thought they could be at and found my bag right away. Luckily, I remembered who was in front and back on me and what they looked like. Remember that bright pink shirt?