Mind in the skies, forgetful flyers keep CISF busy on the ground

Pune: From “dear” ear pods, cellphones to wallets and belts — name it and you will get it at airports, on planes, trains and in buses.

Lost in thought, several travellers tend to forget their “most loved” belongings. While many remain glued to cellphones all day, mobile handsets are the most common unclaimed items at airports. Alert CISF personnel bear the burden of flyers’ absentmindedness at airports and often hail them to collect belongings.

Items lost on trains, buses and at stations go to the lost and found department. In absence of legitimate claimants, those are auctioned after a determined period.

Forgetful flyers tend to leave electronic gadgets at airports and on planes.

“We frequently find unclaimed cellphones, earphones, ear pods and laptops at security check and security hold areas. We spot 15 to 16 forgotten items in every three-four days. CISF has a lost and found section. Details of lost items are regularly uploaded on the CISF website,” says an airport official in Pune.

“We stumble upon six-seven unclaimed belts each month, besides electronic gadgets. As per regulations, unclaimed lost items are supposed to be auctioned every three months,” says a senior official of Shirdi airport.

Chirpy tiny boppers or seasoned professionals, all are susceptible to the “forgetful-bug” while travelling.

College student Ria Deshpande has lost several books while travelling in buses and even a phone on a Delhi-Pune flight.

“I still can’t fathom how I left the cellphone. The crew had announced after landing that flyers could switch on their cellphones,” quips Ria from Kothrud, conceding she is a habitually forgetful person.

Kalyaninagar’s Shikha Dhawal, representative of a travel firm, says, “I left items at different airports, including Pune, more than once. I forgot three costly earphones while flying. I accidentally left two of them at Delhi airport and another on an aircraft and never found them. I wonder how I left them behind when they are literally tied to me!”

Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale, former vice-chief of the Air Staff, had left behind his expensive sunglass on train long ago.

“I did go to the lost and found department of the railways at Pune station, but did not get it back,” he recalls, adding that it is easier to get back lost items at airports because of alert security personnel and multiple CCTV cameras.

Bhushan Patwardhan, the India lead of the WHO global centre for traditional medicine laboratory in Jamnagar, says, “Forgetting belongings in planes and trains is common. I can recall leaving behind my laptop, cellphone and once a watch either on trays during the security check or in the plane. Fortunately, I got them back every single time.”

“The security personnel and airlines staffers are extremely helpful despite working under pressure. Getting a bit anxious at airports is natural,” he adds.

A section of experts believes nervousness while travelling and rush have a bearing on people’s state of mind.

City-based psychiatrist Swapnil Deshmukh says stress, lack of proper rest and hurry are the main reasons behind the forgetting trend of so many travellers.

“Many people get stressed out because of overwork and other issues. Some do not get proper rest and sleep, resulting in their minds not functioning sharply,” Deshmukh tells TOI.

“Another section of people is always preoccupied with something or the other. All these and more together turn travellers forgetful,” he adds.


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