CH: I might just be operating with wrong information, but if you take a carry-on somewhere, can you bring back a bottle of wine if you don’t get it at duty free? My understanding is that, if you want to bring the bottle of wine or vinegar or oil, you need a checked bag which is why I often do it. I love not being subjected to the milliliter limits.
AE: I didn’t bring anything back in my carry-on from Italy.
CH: I wanted to ask you all about this news story from a few months ago: this low-level government official by the name of Sam Brinton who was caught stealing suitcases from baggage claim.
AE: This is my greatest fear.
MK: Charlie, don’t tell me this.
CH: They were caught because they were posting pictures of themself in the stolen clothing, and one woman recognized her clothing and was able to press charges.
AE: But it’s one of those things that you shouldn’t worry about too much because the airport is really one of the most surveilled places on the planet—if your bag gets stolen, there is certainly footage of it. Why would you commit crimes at the airport? Not that you should commit crimes anywhere.
PK: What would you do if someone caught you stealing the bag?
CH: You have a built-in excuse: You say, “Oh, I thought it was mine.” But I would never steal the bag in the first place!
PK: In Bombay, I once came off a flight and picked up my checked bag and got home. When I opened it, nothing inside was mine. I hadn’t checked the name tag; it was just someone else having the same exact bag. I turned around and went back to the airport, and this couple was there freaking out because there was only one bag left on the carousel—and it was mine. They got my cell number from it and called me as I walked in, saying, “You have our bag,” and I said, “I know,” and we swapped bags and they made their connection. Now I have the tag that tracks my bag, which really helps.
AE: I really screwed up by not checking my bag to Italy, actually, because I was packing last minute in panic mode and for some reason threw in a wine key that I was really fond of, which had sentimental value. If I’d checked the bag, I could’ve brought it through but at security they confiscated it. They said, “This is a knife.”
CH: When you check a bag, you have more rights! Okay, any closing advice?
MK: Your checked bag should be a bright color that you can pick out easily!
CH: No navy, no black. Mine is red.
MK: Red is the best color for a checked bag.
