When people go through the TSA security area, they, of course, have to put everything they’re carrying into bins. It may sound surprising, but it happens more often than you’d think: people sometimes wind up leaving things behind. You can find reports of cell phones, wallets, laptops, entire carry-on bags (HOW?!?!), and more…all unwittingly left at the security checkpoint.
If you realize that you left something behind (BTW, you’re not alone – it happens all the time), the first thing you should do is go back to the checkpoint and see if it’s there.
However, if you don’t immediately realize you left something behind, you might be in luck – the TSA has an entire system in place for such a situation. Above and beyond that, if the item(s) left behind are particularly valuable, some airports will make overhead announcements that “name an item” was left behind and to go back to the security checkpoint to retrieve it.
Most of those announcements are exactly what you’d expect: short, straightforward, and easy to tune out.
But every once in a while, the person behind the microphone decides to have a little fun with it.
That’s exactly what happened recently at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Here’s how they handled one traveler who accidentally left behind their AirPods:
Naturally, people immediately started sharing their own favorite airport announcement stories:
- I was at the Austin airport recently & the TSA guy announced that they had one shoe left at security checkpoint. He said “if you look down at your feet & realize you’re walking around with one shoe, the other one is here” — emmy9182
- Omg last night at LAX he was on fire too. “Hellllo everyone at LAX today! We’re playing TSAs favorite game of “you lost it and we found it”. On today’s show is YOUR umbrella. It’s 68 and sunny here in LA, so why you’d need an umbrella, I could only guess.” — njgud4734
- Last week I was at the Fort Lauderdale airport and the TSA announcement I heard was, “If you left your luggage……you’re WHOLE luggage at TSA please return to retrieve it. I repeat, if you left your WHOLE luggage, please retrieve it”. — beth3steiner (See? I told ya!)
- One time my bag got pulled to the side going through security and the TSA agent had me try to guess what set off the alarm. They’re just trying to entertain themselves to get through the day😂😂 — sarah_sandler23
Airport announcements are usually just background noise—boarding calls, gate changes, final warnings for passengers who are somehow still sitting at the bar.
But every now and then, someone behind the microphone injects a little personality into the job and reminds everyone that airports don’t have to be all stress and seriousness.
Judging by the replies, this wasn’t the first time LAX has had such an announcement – and it certainly isn’t the only airport where it’s happened. And honestly? If it makes even one frazzled traveler smile while racing to their gate, that’s probably a pretty good day’s work.
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