Insider Secrets: Airport Staff Reveal How to Pack for a Trip

The anticipation of an overseas trip can simmer even as you pack your bags. Most travelers meticulously fill their luggage, ensuring every inch is dedicated to essential clothing and must-have items.

With many travelers packing full bags, luggage space can often feel limited.

Savvy travelers often carve out extra suitcase space for treasures they might discover abroad, keeping an eye on weight limits to avoid baggage fees. But this packing strategy is just the tip of the iceberg.

Are you curious about what goes through the minds of airport baggage handlers who wrangle tens of thousands of suitcases daily? On Reddit, a popular online forum, current baggage handlers spilled the beans, sharing their top ten packing hacks for efficient travel. Get ready to ditch the overpacking woes and become a suitcase-savvy traveler!

The pressure of airline tossing and transit jostling can wreak havoc on zippers, causing them to burst open with a vengeance. Once a bag splits open, travel chaos ensues as belongings become scattered everywhere.

Though lightweight and thin bags of good materials are trendy, travel bags should be thick and sturdy. Leather or carbon fiber types are sturdy and good. Airport employees have often seen cheap suitcases with broken corners and dents.

Traveling with the whole crew? Here’s a clever luggage hack: opt for suitcases in the same color and style! Matching suitcases makes it a breeze for baggage handlers to spot and group them, minimizing the chance of your luggage getting separated. No more waiting at the carousel while the rest of your family’s bags appear towards the end of the batch. For ultimate peace of mind, consider packing essentials like a change of clothes and medications in a carry-on bag, just in case your checked luggage takes a detour.

Lost luggage can be stressful, but there’s a simple way to increase your chances of a speedy reunion with your belongings: clearly label your suitcase with your name, address, and contact information. This might seem like a hassle, but it allows airport staff to quickly identify you as the owner if your bag gets separated or ends on the wrong flight. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth travel experience.

Many travelers leave extra space in their luggage to accommodate souvenirs or gifts you might find on your trip. However, it’s wise to fill those empty pockets strategically. Here’s why: Packing your suitcase too loosely can increase the chances of damage during handling. A bulging bag is easier to identify and often comes out first on the luggage carousel. So, what should you pack in those empty spaces? Newspapers, soft clothes, or even inflatable travel pillows can help maintain your bag’s shape and protect your belongings.

If the baggage strap is loose at check-in at the airport, it is checked again in the airport baggage compartment. But sometimes, it’s not visible or tied loosely and comes undone in the middle. If this happens, it can get caught on the conveyor belt or be torn off with the bag. If one gets stuck, all the luggage stops, and passengers unknowingly wait at the baggage claim.

If your suitcase is cluttered with old luggage tags, remove them before your trip. These outdated tags can confuse airline staff during the loading process. They might waste time checking the date and destination information; in rare cases, the bag could even end up on the wrong flight.

Due to lingering luggage tags, over 60 suitcases per day end up in the wrong city at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.

Never check in any expensive or potentially fragile items when packing for a trip. Always carry them with you in your hand luggage. Luggage that goes through the baggage handling system can pass through many hands, from airport staff to service company employees. There’s always a slight chance that a bag might be opened unintentionally; unfortunately, items can sometimes go missing. To minimize this risk and ensure your valuables are safe, it’s best to keep them with you in the cabin.

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