According to one travel expert, “Many viral [packing] hacks create more problems at the airport than they solve.”
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In other words, that amazing advice you got on how to pack like a pro might not pan out. In fact, it could lead to delays, additional charges, and general headaches. But how can you know whether the packing advice is actually solid or just a passing trend?
It comes down to knowing what security agents are looking for, how to stay comfortable on long flights, and knowing what types of luggage to rely on.
If you want to avoid packing pitfalls at the airport this holiday season, get ahead with packing dos and don’ts from Paul Stewart, founder of MyBaggage.
Avoid these packing mistakes from a travel expert
Ready to see how those viral packing hacks pan out? Look out for these common missteps, according to travel expert Paul Stewart.
- The ribbon hack. Tying a bright ribbon to your suitcase can help you identify it faster when it comes down the belt. But it could also get caught in airport baggage handling belts or, worse, get security’s attention, prompting a bag search.
- The ‘wear all your heavy items’ hack. Stewart warns that wearing too many layers can make you feel overheated and uncomfortable on long flights. It could even get security’s attention if you’re looking suspiciously overdressed.
- The plastic wrapping hack. Choosing to wrap your luggage in plastic wrap can, once again, set off (internal) alarms for security.
- The stuffed shoes storage hack. Overpacking your shoes with socks and underwear can be outright unhygienic. It could also flag your bag as suspicious when it goes through the X-ray, prompting a bag search.
- The pillowcase as extra luggage hack. You can’t use pillowcases as impromptu bags—it’s against International Air Transport Association laws.
- The oversized wheeled duffel hack. Don’t assume you can squish a large, wheeled duffel bag into a carry-on container at the gate, even if it’s under-filled. Gate agents will (probably) make you check it.
Use these bonus tips to get ahead
Aside from giving you a warning on what types of packing mistakes could get your luggage flagged, Stewart also has a few tips. Use these to streamline your packing habits.
- Use reusable vacuum bags to shrink heavy items.
- Roll clothes inside each other to compress layers and stay organized.
- Pack with a weight pyramid to keep heavy items near your suitcase wheels and lighter ones near the top handle.
- Fill gaps in your suitcase with socks, scarves, and other small items.
- Use a dry bag for winter gear that gets wet, like a ski jacket—it’ll protect the rest of your gear from that moisture.
- Use a modular packing system by dividing your items into separate packing cubes.
