Travel Expert Warns About Phones at Airport Security

A travel expert from Pittsburgh has recently sounded the alarm that phones are one of the most vulnerable items at airport security checkpoints, although travelers routinely risk it by placing them directly in TSA bins. The expert, who goes by Tiffany on TikTok, claims that placing one’s phone directly into the TSA bin is “a fast track to losing your most essential piece of tech.” Because phones are one of the most important items a person carries with them, it is advised that travelers take extra precautions to make sure they do not lose them.

Keep Your Phone in a Zipped Pocket Inside Your Bag

The travel expert, who has hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok, said in a viral video, “The thing I’m absolutely never doing when I’m going through TSA — I am not putting my phone directly into one of the containers. … It’s always going in a zipped pocket in my bag.” She added that the warning did not come from a fellow passenger but from a TSA agent. She recalled an instance when she put her phone directly in a security bin and was scolded by a TSA agent. “The TSA agent looked at me and was like, ‘You don’t like your phone?’ And I looked at him like he was a little crazy and I said, ‘Yes.’ … He said, ‘This is the fastest way to get it stolen,’” Tiffany said in the TikTok video that has racked up thousands of views.

The No. 1 Thing Regularly Stolen at Airport Security

Tiffany added in the video, “The No. 1 thing they see stolen on a regular basis is phones, and it’s because they are left out and available. … The lines can back up, you’re not paying attention until you realize and it’s too late.” She further advised passengers to “make sure your valuables are zipped up [inside] your bag when they go through the scanners.” Furthermore, passengers are also advised to make sure they keep a careful eye on their valuables at the airport and make sure they are not left unattended.

Missing Phone Forced Plane to Turn Back Mid-Flight

According to reports, an Air France flight from Paris to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, was forced to make a U-turn after a passenger lost their phone. The incident took place in March 2025 and sparked safety concerns. Air France flight AF750 took off from Paris at 12:01 p.m. local time as scheduled and flew across France and then across the English Channel before it was forced to return to the airport in Paris. “Not long after takeoff, a passenger reportedly misplaced their phone. Despite the best efforts of passengers and crew, the phone couldn’t be retrieved. Most people might not assume that’s a big deal, but this poses a risk of a fire, especially if a phone gets lost somewhere (whether it’s a seat or some other contraption), and then becomes damaged, and potentially causes a fire,” reports have explained.

TSA Says Some 100,000 Lost Items are Recovered Every Year

According to the TSA, about 100,000 lost items are recovered every year, including electronics. However, the TSA added that any unclaimed electronic devices will have their memory wiped or completely destroyed if unclaimed after 30 days. “Passengers are encouraged to place their contact information on the outside of their electronics, such as laptops, in case the item is left behind. TSA will make every effort to reunite passengers with their belongings. Unclaimed electronics will have its memory removed and destroyed (e.g. laptop hard drive) or be destroyed completely (e.g. items with non-removable memory) to protect personal data after the 30-day holding period,” the TSA website says.

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