It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare to arrive at the luggage carousel and discover that their luggage is nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, this situation has become increasingly common. My suitcase has been lost before, and in the United States, about 1 in 150 travelers experience lost or misdirected checked luggage each year. If your suitcase goes missing, the most important thing to do is to stay calm, as more often than not, it will often be found and returned. If not, you may be eligible for compensation for your lost items up to the maximum liability set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).