Typically, it is considered polite to accept someone’s request to watch their groceries, spot in line, or belongings. But is this unacceptable or even potentially dangerous at an airport?
The now-deleted clip, with 1.3 million views, features Washington, D.C.-based passenger Cameron (@cameronisaboysname) sitting inside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. She looks around and rubs her temple as she chews her gum, feeling guilty.
What happened at the airport?
“I feel like a total [expletive] ’cause I’m at the airport and a very sweet girl asked if I’d watch her bag as she went to the bathroom and I said, ‘no,’” she shares in the text overlay.
However, the content creator cites the TSA’s recommendation as the basis for her refusal. “They say don’t watch someone’s bag in an airport and report left bags,” she continues. “Someone tell me I’m not a mean person.”
In a follow-up video, Cameron breaks down her reason. “I did not just look at this woman when she asked me to watch her bag, like, ‘no,’” she says in a rude tone.
Instead, she shifts it to a stern, apologetic one. “‘I’m so sorry. Normally, I would say yes, but we’re in an airport and I’m not comfortable with that. I’m so sorry,’” she recalls telling the woman. “I understand that that’s probably not the most polite thing to do. I grew up as the daughter of a flight attendant and I take airplane and airport safety very seriously.”
Moreover, flying out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was another reason for her decision. “[It’s] right next to the Capitol. There is a lot of security,” she says. According to their website, there are three security checkpoints. Not to mention, it has both passenger and military aircraft. “But it’s just a safety standard. I know that somebody asking you to watch their bag is not giving you a package but when you do that, you are taking responsibility and ownership.”
“It’s better to be safe than sorry in my eyes,” the content creator says. “I really value safety.”
Why you shouldn’t watch strangers’ luggage at the airport
Despite this request being harmless, the person could still be setting you up, which can have legal ramifications. Once the unattended bag is in your possession, you are held accountable for all items inside. When security requests a search, you will be the one to reap the consequences if anything illegal is found. As a result, you may face interrogation, detention, and even charges, The Travel states. Previously reported by The Mary Sue, another creator under the TikTok username @knotkiddingny echoed the same sentiments.
“If someone gives you a bag to watch and you agree to it, then an officer comes by and says, ‘I need to check what’s in that bag.’ There could be chemicals in it, drugs, stolen property, weapons, maybe a bomb,” she says. “It could’ve been smuggled in by airport employees. You have no idea. But guess what, you are now 100% responsible for everything in that bag.”
There isn’t a law about not presiding over strangers’ stuff. But TSA treats unattended bags as threats and asks passengers to report them via its website and the airport intercom. So, if a passenger asks you to watch their bags, politely decline. However, if they are persistent or leave their bags beside you, report them to security. The same applies if you witness any suspicious activity. As the TSA campaign has stated for 15 years, “If You See Something, Say Something.”
Cameron declined The Mary Sue’s request for comment.
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