You’ve been there before. At the airport, minutes before boarding when you’re suddenly struck with the urge to use the bathroom. Traveling alone, with a bag and a carry-on, it just feels like too much hassle to lug it into the bathroom stall with you. What do you do?
An average person might ask their seatmate at the gate to watch their belongings while they rushed to relieve themselves. They might simply reply “sure,” and keep an eye on your bag for you. What many don’t know, however, is that the simple request bears more weight than you think.
Woman asks people to watch her bag at airport
A woman drew the ire of the internet after she posted a TikTok about her experience at the airport. Cara, who goes by @theovonswife_ on the platform, shared a video explaining how she asked a woman to watch her purse and carry-on while she ran to the bathroom that was “10 steps away.” Cara was flabbergasted when the woman told her no.
“I legitimately thought she was joking at first, so I laughed,” Cara wrote in the text overlay. “She indeed was not joking so I just took my purse [because] I felt uncomfortable.”
The comments on Cara’s video have been turned off, but that hasn’t stopped other creators from making responses to her clip. One of them, @knotkiddingny, explained exactly why the woman who rejected Cara was in the right.
The Mary Sue reached out to Cara via email for comment.
Why can’t someone watch your bag at the airport?
The creator promises to break down the “airport rule,” and explains, “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 that you wouldn’t know whether that bag actually went through TSA or if it came from another plane or private jet.
“It could’ve been smuggled in by airport employees,” she continues. “You have no idea. But guess what, you are now 100% responsible for everything in that bag.”
The TikToker says that because of this, they can immediately arrest you. She argues that this isn’t just about “terrorism” and that the rule predates 9/11.
“This is about crime prevention,” she says. “And I don’t know why you guys think that all criminals look like the hamburglar.”
She called Cara “stupid” and her Southern Hospitality “phony” before urging viewers to watch the movie “Brokedown Palace.” (The 1999 film is about people who get arrested while smuggling drugs during their vacation in Thailand.)
What’s the airport rule about unattended luggage?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) considers any unattended luggage a security risk. At the airport, there are frequent announcements over the intercom to report any unattended luggage. While there is no official literature from TSA about strangers watching your bags specifically, folks are strongly encouraged to report unattended luggage. Plus, as the TikToker said, you never know what someone is carrying.
Viewers take the ‘airport rule’ seriously
Several viewers under @knotkiddingny’s clip were on her side, saying no one should take the “airport rule” lightly.
“I even side eye my husband when he asks me to watch his bag when he goes to the bathroom,” one person said. “Like, after 24 years, do I REALLY know you?”
Another wrote, “Leaving my bag with a human I don’t know has never crossed my mind. I don’t trust people.”
One top comment read, “The bathroom stalls in airports are literally longer so that you can bring your bag in with you. it’s unpleasant, but just do it.”
@knotkiddingny @carasdigitaldiary_ hope this helps #airportsecurity ♬ original sound – knotkiddingny
The Mary Sue reached out to @knotkiddingny via TikTok direct message and to TSA via email.
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