AirTag Apple Turns Bagation Claims Disaster Into Strange Recovery

JAKARTA - A traveler from the United States turned a nightmare at the airport into a warning story after Apple's AirTag took him directly to his stolen suitcase, and found the thieves wearing his clothes.

Daniel Scott has just arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Salt Lake City on August 22, 2025. After landing, he headed to the baggage claim area, but his suitcase was never found.

When he moved between baggage carusels, airport officials also failed to find his suitcase. Suddenly, his cellphone shook with a notification from AirTag hidden in a suitcase.

The tracker showed his suitcase leaving the airport and moving towards the rideshare area. Scott didn't waste time. "I immediately ran into the Uber parking lot," he told NBC Los Angeles. However, the signal kept moving, crossing the road and getting further away. At that time, he realized his suitcase had been stolen.

Traces of signals stopped about half a mile from the airport, in an empty building covered with boards near Sepulveda Boulevard and 98th Street. The couple immediately contacted the airport police.

Officers arrived and lit up the inside of the building with flashlights, finding several people lined up near the window. One of them, surprisingly, wore Scott's shirt, pants and shoes.

Inside Abandoned Buildings

When the police checked the building, Scott entered and found his suitcase had been pulled. The contents of the suitcase were scattered in several rooms.

He managed to recover about 90% of his belongings, even though the suitcase itself was badly damaged. For him, AirTag is the difference between total loss and partial recovery.

"It gave me the opportunity to find and take back my suitcase," Scott said. "The crazy part of this trip was absolutely incredible."

Technology As A Safety Net

Apple launched AirTag in 2021, and this tool is quickly popular with travelers to track baggage. This small coin-sized device uses Find My network to connect with Apple devices around it, mapping the tracker's movements.

This crowdsource-based tracking system works without requiring direct GPS access or paid subscriptions. As a result, AirTag is an easily accessible and effective solution to monitor luggage during travel.

Stories like Scott are pushing for a surge in tracking sales. A 2024 survey by the Kaya travel site found that 37% of airplane passengers in the US started using AirTag or similar devices.

For travelers often, the benefits are clear. When the suitcase is lost, within minutes you know whether the suitcase is still on the runway or has been taken to an abandoned building.

Police Response And Limitation

In Scott's case, the police acted quickly, but this was not always guaranteed. Law enforcers are not always capable of pursuing any AirTag signals. Police also warn travelers not to face thieves directly, as bags containing clothes are not worth the risk of danger.

This technology provides information, but it still relies on the resources and wisdom of the police. There are also privacy concerns.

AirTag has been abused for stalking, forcing Apple to add a security warning noting someone if unidentified trackers follow them. The reality of this dual use colors every successful recovery story.

Although AirTag cannot prevent theft, this tool provides benefits for travelers. At the airport where baggage can disappear in crowds, sometimes all you need is a little chance to fight back.