According to the Associate Press, the airlines lost 30 million passenger bags in 2005.

That's a lot of bags; one for every man, woman, and child in California. How did they accomplish this feat?

Mostly by mishandling them during tight connections.

Where do the tight connections come from? Probably from other areas of airline inefficiency.

If you've ever had one of your bags gone missing, you appreciate what kind of a hassle it is.

Arriving at a hotel, after the gift shop has closed, assuming your lodging has a gift shop, without shaving gear or toothpaste can also be a challenge.

Plus, when you're traveling, you might be used to wearing more to sleep and for lounging than your birthday suit.

I've had to perform consulting assignments in jeans, sweaters, and jogging shoes, instead of my conventional suits, explaining all the while why it was "casual day" for me, but for no one else.

The great majority of missing bags turn up and are delivered within a day or so, though I've had AWOL items take two or more days to finally catch up to me.

After consulting in my civvies, one of my clients slyly quipped: "Gary, remember there are two kinds of lug