System and method for item management via an electronic communication network

A method for the management and tracking of items such as passenger baggage, comprising the steps of:

• providing a registration database for storing information relating to the items baggage to be tracked;
• marking at least one bag with a unique marking tag that bears identifying information;
• storing in the registration database information associating the unique marking tag with its bag;
• providing at a trip departure terminal a check-in station in communication with the registration database for reading the marking tags on bags presented at the check-in station prior to travel;
• and
• maintaining information relating to the trip that can be referred to on at least one future occasion when the bag is presented at a check-in station.

A method for the management and tracking of items such as airline passenger baggage, comprising the steps of:

• providing a registration database for storing information relating to the items to be tracked,
• marking a plurality of items with marking tags that bear identifying information;
• affixing a marking tag to an item to be tracked;
• storing in the registration database information associating each affixed tag with information relating to the item to which it is affixed;
• providing a check-in station in communication with the registration database for reading the marking tags affixed to items presented at the check-in station;
• providing a claim check for each item that is presented for checking at the check-in station;
• providing a lost item return (LIR) system for assisting in the recovery of lost items wherein the LIR system includes an electronic claim form on which information for use in retrieving the lost item may be entered, and where in the LIR system includes a claim check reader, such that at least some of the information on the electronic claim form may be entered by presenting a claim check to the claim check reader.