This Is The Real Reason You Can't Go Back On The Plane If You Left Something Behind

Have you ever deboarded a plane just to remember you left behind your AirPods, phone, wallet, passport or another important item? Despite your best efforts to make sure you had everything, you left it there and now there’s a problem on your hands.At first glance, the solution to this problem might seem easy — just go back, retrieve your item and continue on with your day. Well, when it comes to airplanes, that’s not allowed. Although it might seem a little absurd that you can’t go back even if you stepped off the plane mere seconds ago, there are valid reasons for this rule. We spoke with flight attendants about why you can’t reboard a plane if you’ve left something behind and what to do if it happens in the future so you can get on with your day as quickly as possible. You could potentially cause a chain of delaysAlthough it may be a hassle for you not to be able to simply go back on the plane and grab what you left in the seat pocket, there are legitimate reasons you can’t. “You can’t reboard due to safety and security of the aircraft and the remaining passengers and crew, as well as timeliness for the next departure,” said Valerie Fraser, an in-flight crew member for JetBlue. “Usually, turns on an aircraft are very tight so letting customers back on could cause delays.“Adding to this point, Kari Pelzer, a flight attendant who has been working for a national airline for the past seven years, emphasized how safety and efficiency are the reasons passengers aren’t allowed to go back and grab items they may have left behind. “Once a passenger steps off a plane, we have no idea who they have interacted with or what they could have on their persons, which becomes a safety issue,” Pelzer said. “Also during deplaning, having someone come back and fight against the flow of traffic will make everything get bogged down.”This policy is in place for all airlines and no exceptions are made regardless of what is left behind, according to Fraser.Stashing your phone or other items in the back pocket of the seat in front of you makes you especially likely to leave it behind when you deboard.What happens if you leave something on the plane?If you notice you’ve left something behind while deboarding is still taking place, tell someone as soon as possible to see if they can help right away.“You can let a flight attendant at the front know and we’ll arrange for another crew member to retrieve the item and bring it to the front,” Pelzer told HuffPost. “Or if you’ve already left the jet bridge, let the gate agent know and they’ll come down to let a flight attendant know.”If you’ve already exited the airport, left the terminal or made it to baggage claim, then Pelzer said your best bet is to contact the lost and found for the airport and submit a lost item form on the airline’s website.“All items left on an aircraft are given to the local port authority to their lost and found, which could be a lengthy time to recover,” said Topher R., a flight attendant who has been in the skies for the past 10 years and who asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons.Delta has a website where you can fill out a form based on where you left or lost your item. JetBlue uses a similar platform to help get your items to you more smoothly. How long does it take to recover lost items from an airplane?The policy and procedure will vary based on the airline. However, you’ll want to try to fill out the designated form or send an email to the appropriate address as quickly as possible to get the ball rolling. For example, a few weeks ago, Max Balegde, a social media influencer, shared on TikTok about how he left behind his iPad after deplaning from an American Airlines flight and wasn’t able to go back to retrieve it. He was told by the airline that he had to fill out a form and it would be sent back to him within 90 days. That is one way an airline may handle a situation like this, but it’s possible you could get your items in a few days or weeks depending on whether the airline is able to find your item and where it’s being sent from. With all this in mind, next time you hear the flight attendant say over the intercom, “Please remember to gather all of your items before exiting the plane,” take it as a reminder to thoroughly check your surroundings and make sure you have everything you boarded with. Retrieving your items could be more trouble than they’re literally worth.Related...So THAT'S Why Airplanes Get So ColdThe 1 Potentially Deadly Mistake People Make During An Emergency Landing, According To Flight AttendantsI Had To Deboard A Loading Airplane To Accept That Being A Mum Has Changed Me

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