Runge16 wrote;

Yawn

What part of rec.*TRAVEL*.europe have you *always* failed to
understand???

And Runge you are *definitely* in the Top 10 posters who have ruined
this NG over the years!

OP Thanks for the update and I'm glad everything worked out for you.

I've heard the horror stories over the years about dealing with
Alitalia over lost luggage, so your tip about (US) Small Claims Court
will be helpful to others in a google search.
Regards, Walter