According to different reports, Qantas staff routinely keep thousands of dollars worth of mobile phones, computers and cameras that are left behind by passengers. Apparently the staff of the airline hold regular auctions to distribute the valuables.

Reports go on to suggest that Qantas does not actively attempt to return these lost items. This has upset some experts, who say that it should be easy to return these kinds of things. They point out that travelers sit in allocated seats and leave contact details with the airline.

Most passengers, who do report missing items, are told to leave a telephone message describing the gear that they have lost. However, they are also told that it is very unlikely that it will ever be recovered. The report says that Qantas tells other passengers that passengers are very likely to take valuables left behind in seat pockets.

Of course, the airline did have kind of a different take on the lost property claims. The airline said that it normally donates hundreds of unclaimed valuables each month to the Salvation Army and Mission Australia in Sydney. Sometimes there are so many unclaimed items that they have to take van loads of stuff to these centers.

A spokesman for Mission Australia, Paul Andres, said that he received the last donation of lost property from Qantas almost two years ago. He said that they do not receive those donations any loner. Geoff McCartney, the Salvation Army’s area manager, said that his charity receives item from Sydney International Airport, but nothing on a regular basis from Qantas.

Thus, no one knows for sure really what happens to peoples’ lost property on Qantas airlines. However, a good way to avoid having to worry about it is to be sure and remember all belongings when exiting the plane.