Carry on like a pro: 10 tips
When it comes to carry-on luggage, I’ve seen it all. Oversized. Odd. Heavy. Breakable. Broken. Must be hung. Too important to check. Perishable. Alive. Dead. Rare plants. Human organs.
After 17 years as a flight attendant, nothing surprises me. I have even seen a man use a body bag as carry-on luggage. He said it held a lot and was the most flexible bag he ever used. He got plenty of looks, which didn’t seem to bother him at all.
The carry-on epidemic has gotten way out of control. Airlines have invested billions of dollars in automated baggage systems in order to relieve the burden of carrying your luggage around, yet more and more of you are deciding not to check them. Is the effort worth the 15 minutes it shaves off the baggage claim area at the end of the flight?
Putting aside the odds that the airline will lose or mishandle your checked luggage (about 1 in 250), don’t you find it a relief to say goodbye to your bags and then stroll around the airport free of any excess weight? (Ah, if only we could check our kids.)
You want to enjoy your flight, not worry about lugging your bags around. If you are an experienced traveler, then maybe you are past the enjoyment stage, but you probably want to minimize the aggravation of security, boarding, connecting flights, airplane stowage variations — not to mention the possible safety hazards during turbulence.
Although the rules differ among airlines, the general allowance is one
carry-on bag plus a “personal” item such as a purse briefcase or computer bag. The bag must fit either under the seat or in the overhead luggage compartment.
Some airlines strictly enforce the rules while others would rather turn a blind eye to offenders. You know, the people who try to sneak by with four or more bags. You see them run around the airplane frantically trying to find room. It may be funny to watch, but when they take your space, it’s no longer amusing.
If you are wondering why the aircraft is always boarded from front to back, it is because of carry-on luggage. The airline’s frequent flier program members usually sit in the front part of the cabin and are normally allowed to board first to find space for their bag. Otherwise it would be a race onboard to see who can shove the most number of bags overhead first.
Well, I guess it kind of is that way already, but airline loyalists get first crack at it.
How many times have you got to your seat and even though there is nobody sitting in the area, your overhead bin is full? Wouldn’t it be great if an overhead space were assigned for each seat? This would cause unforeseen complications, but it sounds like a good idea.
I fully believe that checking in your bags is the right way to go but if you are determined to carry on, then I have some helpful tips for you.
1. Pack right. Get a rollaboard that fits wheels in first. If you have to put it in sideways because the overhead bin won’t close, then you are taking up three spaces, if you can find them. If you fly a certain airline enough you probably know the general fit, but usually no more than 20-22 inches in length. Travelpro has the most suitable luggage products.
2. You pack it, you rack it. It is not easy to tell someone that I won’t lift their suitcase overhead for them, but the plane truth is that the airline contract specifically states that we are not covered medically if we are injured.
3. Size does matter. If it won’t fit then be sensible and check it, but keep the following items with you: necessary medication, passports or tickets, and priceless heirlooms.
4. Batteries not included. Take the batteries out of any device you don’t want to go off. Alarm clocks can be unnerving and vibrating devices such as adult toys can be downright embarrassing.
5. Plug the hole. Try to avoid any unsealed liquids and tighten every toiletry item possible. I have had too many leaks in my bag to count. One would think I would have learned by now.
6. Yes, we have no bananas. Leave the fruit at home. You may have been thinking of having a healthy snack, but if it over ripens in your bag and you get searched for a month by the custom’s fruit dog, believe me, you learn to regret it.
7. Lighten up. You avoided paying the extra charge by placing the heavy items in your carry-on. Smart? Well, maybe not when you get the chiropractor’s bill.
8. Be unique. If you get one of the bags that I suggested, then it will look identical to many other ones on the plane. Use a marker that screams “Hands off, it’s not yours!” My bag now has two big fuzzy dice on the handle after I took a fellow flight attendants by mistake. I was a bit taken back when I opened it in my room and discovered multi-colored G-strings.
9. Case closed. If you manage to get your bag into the overhead bin, give the door a test close, because it’s not officially in until it’s latched. Many times I have had to pull bags when the overhead bin didn’t close.
10. The golden secret. I am going to let you in on a little secret. A few clever travelers bring their oversized bags to the plane with no intention of bringing them aboard. They gate check them instead. This way they know their bags will make the flight and also know that their bags will be among the first ones out at baggage claim. This is a proven tip from yours truly.
Now, if only there was a way for certain passengers and crewmembers to check their emotional baggage as well .