Looks like they don't want you to get your item back. I have forgotten my phone in front of the gate before boarding and immediately contacted the airline and the Istanbul Airport Customer Care. Also, I filled out the form online but never got a reference number. Of course, I checked inbox, spam and trash folder.
Anyways, because I have no reference number I cannot pay the storage fee and therefore I cannot ask a cargo company to pick up my phone.
I even thought about flying to Istanbul to pick it up in person but they need the information minimum 3 days in advance. For a phone. That is ridiculous!
On top of that they provided a cargo company where nobody speaks English. I called them but a communication is not possible and therefore their recommendation is worthless.
It is just trouble and not helpful at all. Even after asking twice for a reference number to pay the storage fee I did not get any helpful answer. I have no chance to hire a cargo company to get my phone back.
Thanks for nothing!
Desired outcome: I want my phone back!