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10 Bizarre Things People Have Left Behind on Planes

July 16, 2017
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4 min read
Flight attendant closing overhead bin in airplane
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TPG’s favorite Flight Attendant Insider Carrie A. Trey is back, this time with a look at some of the strange things passengers have left behind after a flight.

Flying can be exhausting, especially if you're on a red-eye or overnight flight. Being tired can have the same effect on your brain as being drunk, and that means forgetting things, especially if you're getting off the plane tired and drunk, as some passengers do. Here's at look at some of the most bizarre things people have forgotten to take with them.

1. Clothing

Oddly enough, this is one of the most commonly left-behind items; a jacket here, a sweater there. What's interesting is we also find undergarments, and yes, we find them often. Bras, panties, pantyhose, boxers — I've even come across a jockstrap! Woof!

2. Passports

This isn't so much a bizarre thing to leave behind, but it is frighteningly common. Think of this as a friendly PSA. Do NOT put your passport in the seat-back pocket. 99% of the time, this is where we find them. And you're not going anywhere without it.

Don't forget to take your passport off the plane! Image courtesy of Tooga via Getty Images.

3. Toys

Yes, parents and their darling sacks of whine and misery leave behind all manner of toys. What's cute is when the adults sans children leave behind their toys. "Neck massagers" and such are not uncommon finds in seat-back pockets. I guess we know who had trouble falling asleep...

4. Diapers

This is one thing we find way too often. Parents, what is wrong with you? I don't leave actual bags of crap on the floor in your office, so why do you leave them laying about in mine?

5. Barf bags

I know you're not feeling well, but is it really too much to just chuck the bag in the lavatory trash bin on the way out? Leaving them in the seat-back pocket is just gross — and bringing them into the galley to be disposed of is no better.

6. Dentures 

How do you not notice that you're getting off the plane toothless?

7. Wigs 

Maybe you get off with all your teeth, but how do you not notice your hair is missing? Wigs and hair extensions are an all-too-common find.

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8. Shoes

Seriously, how do you not notice that you're getting off the plane in your socks? It doesn't happen often, but I've found shoes on the plane more than once. Can you really be that tired?

It's fine if you take your shoes off during flight — just remember to take them with you when you land. Image courtesy of Catapult via Getty Images.

9. Babies

Okay, I know you're tired, but leaving babies behind?! Yes, I've seen it happen. How do you not notice that the bag-of-noise you've had strapped in next to you all night is no longer with you? Silence is golden, I know. But you make it, you take it.

10. Spouses

Yes, he's obnoxious. Yes, he drank too much. And yes, he's passed out. But he's your problem now, not mine, so scoop him (or her) up and get a move on. I didn't take any vows, which means he/she is most definitely not my responsibility and leaving him behind won't fix the problem.

Have your own questions for Carrie A. Trey? We’d love to hear them! Let us know in the comments, below.

Featured image by HERO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

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  • Intro Offer

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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