If you missed the news flash allow me to fill you in: Actress Lindsay Lohan has been reunited with her carry-on bag. Yes, Scotland Yard has been notified (literary) and they have called off the search. According to news reports, the 20-year-old actress whose tear-stained face was plastered inside of London’s Evening Standard newspaper Friday can smile once again.
British police said they had recovered a handbag that went missing from the star’s luggage cart at London’s Heathrow Airport. Hours after Lohan realized the orange Hermes bag (which contained cash, Lohan’s passport, asthma medication, and jewelry worth an estimated $1 million) was missing she called police and begged the public for the return of the items. This afternoon a Good Samaritan found the bag on airport property and dropped it off at Scotland Yard.
Now, let’s discuss why I decided this particular incident warrants filing under the “Travel” blog section of this website rather than the “Pop Culture” section. The answer is simple: Travelers can learn a lot from Lohan’s mistake. And, yes, I consider it a mistake instead of a theft because, well, first of all, nothing was taken from the bag, and second, in our post 9-11 world who leaves a bag full of jewels, cash and medication unattended? If I had a million dollars worth of jewels in my carry on bag it would be chained and padlocked around my waist. Moreover, following the latest foiled terrorist plot London’s Heathrow Airport has implemented some of the most stringent security measures in the world. Not only are there large signs that clearly state that travelers are not allowed to leave their bags unattended, there are also recorded announcements that reiterate this rule which echo through the airport’s terminals every ten minutes.
So, to all you travelers out there… here’s your chance to learn from Lohan’s oversight: Keep your eyes on your bags at all times. And, if you happen to be traveling with a million dollars worth of jewelry, consider picking up a $5 padlock on your way to the airport.
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Packing Part 1: What To Know Before You Go
Packing Part 2: Packing Post 9-11