Nice end state that could easily have ended with a remote wipe. Last year in one of a few times I had to collect checked bags, I almost lost an iPhone. There are pylons and tape for elite baggage to the right at the AA carousel. When my bags ( including skis a few yards way) showed up I set an iPhone in an OtterBox on top of one of the pylons. Got the bags and ran out to get a cab.
Figured out I didn't have the phone and ran back inside. iPhone was still there and a DCA baggage guy (probably not an AA employee) was watching it. He handed it to me and was kind of offended when I whipped out a $10 bill and told him" thanks for being cool, man." I insisted and he took that $10; these guys don't make much and if I had a $20 bill I would have given him that.