9 Expert Airport Tips to Make Checking a Bag Easier

After 12 years working as a ticket and gate agent for a major American airline, Monique Crook has seen her fair share of obstacles in the check-in lane. From passengers emptying their entire bags from one overweight bag to another in search of travel documents, she’s seen the lines grow and grow… and grow because of silly mistakes.

The good news, she says, is that it’s easy to reduce many of the problems that cause long delays at the ticket counter (which in some cases can even lead to missed flights). Besides avoiding the ticket counter whenever possible (hello carry-on!), she says your best tool is the airline’s mobile app, which you can use to add checked bags ahead of time. Plus, there are a few handy travel essentials that Crook says will also help avoid mistakes in the check-in line.

To make sure you never are He Travelers Again, I asked Kroc to share the biggest mistakes you make at airport check-in—and the easy fix. From a handy travel document organizer to a $10 luggage scale, these travel accessories and gadgets will help everyone get through the check-in line headache-free.

Error: Overweight baggage

Solution: Digital equipment scale

Crook says the biggest mistake passengers make is arriving at the bag drop or ticket counter with luggage that exceeds the airline’s limit, which results in a mad dash to shuffle and shift items between bags and never fails to slow down the line. In her own life, she says, she and her family use the Travel Inspira luggage scale to make sure their luggage meets the airline’s weight limits before heading to the airport. “It allows us to check our stuff quickly and avoid surprises,” she says. You simply strap it on the bag, and it shows the weight instantly. Plus, it’s easy to stash in your luggage and use on the way home, just in case you buy a lot of souvenirs.

Error: Your ID is not ready

Solution: Travel document organizer

You’d be surprised how many times a day travelers arrive in front of the check-in line without producing their photo ID, which some crooks say is necessary to keep the line moving smoothly. To avoid emptying your entire bag looking for it while the 30 people behind you stare at you, do yourself a favor and order a travel document organizer. This waterproof case has a place for everything, including your ID, passport, boarding pass, phone, pen, and cash. It also has RFID blocking, a security measure that many travelers appreciate for protecting sensitive information.

Mistake: Visa and passport mishandling

Solution: Color coded passport holder

If you are traveling to a country that requires a visa, you will also need to present it at check-in. Having it ready and with your passport saves time. And, if you’re traveling with multiple people, a serious pro tip is to color-code each member of the party’s passport/visa, so you can present them in the correct order as quickly as possible. For that, choose a passport holder with pockets for your visa and one that comes in different colors so you can differentiate between your travel party, like the Eurohero Passport Holder – an easy solution at just $9.

Error: checking equipment

Solution: Just pack a carry-on

Often, Crook says, avoiding the check-in line altogether is your best option. “Carrying only one and traveling with a personal item can save significant time,” he added. To do this, she recommends a few tricks to fit everything you need, like wearing your bulkiest coat and shoes on the flight instead of packing as much space as possible. If you’re looking for quality carry-on for a short trip, try this handy underseat luggage from flight attendant-loving brand Travel Pro. It’s lightweight, compact, and gets you in and out without a fuss.

Mistake: Too many bags

Solution: One checked bag per family

If you can’t fit everything in a carry-on and drop the line, Crook says the key is steady, steady, steady. “If liquids or large items are necessary, consider checking one bag per family instead of multiple bags,” she says. She recommends having one person handle check-in while the rest of the group cross the car (but to make sure the bag is tagged with the name of the person presenting their ID, as it will have to be countered). At 31.1 inches by 20.9 inches by 13.8 inches, the Samsnite Freeform checked luggage at Amazon is a roomy option, with high marks for durability, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged.

Error: No quick access to your bag

The solution: hands-free crossbody bags

So you have organized your ID, passport and phone in your bag. But is your bag optimized to allow you to go hands-free, ensuring you can quickly access your luggage and move swiftly through the check-in line? For this, some bags are made better than others. If you’re looking for a travel-friendly option, consider the Awara Plus Anti-Theft Crossbody. It’s spaciously organized with a pocket for everything, and its slim crossbody silhouette allows for easy and quick one-handed access. Bonus: It’s made of waterproof, durable material, so you can use it on your travels, too.

Mistake: fumbling with more than one bag

Solution: Secure bag with luggage hook strap

If you have a carry-on or laptop bag precariously balanced on top of your checked bag, it’s likely to fall over, blocking the check-in lane, especially if all your luggage is gone. Here’s a pro tip: To secure your bag together, use a luggage belt or luggage hook strap like the Vigoport luggage hook strap to seamlessly connect. It has a load capacity of more than 650 pounds, but hopefully you won’t need to pack that much.

Mistake: Not having your contact information on the checked bag

Solution: Custom luggage tags

Some airlines require your contact information to be written on your checked bag. If it’s not there, the gate agent will fill one in for you, leaving you with a few eyerolls behind. Before heading to the airport, of course, the easiest solution is to write it down. If your bag doesn’t already have a baggage tag, it’s a good idea to have one durable enough to protect your information and, ideally, colorful enough that you can easily pick it up at baggage claim. This Vigorport luggage tag set of four does both — and it’s only $3 per tag.

Mistake: Holding your phone

The solution: wireless earbuds so you can go hands-free

Imagine this scenario: You’re on the line and your phone rings. You’ve been waiting for this call! This is an important one, so you answer. (Or, maybe it’s just a friend you called a way to kill time in that long line.) Now, your hands are tied, and you can’t quickly access your ID or bag when it’s time to flash to the front of the line. He Instead of passengers holding their phone, bump it and keep your hands free with a set of wireless earbuds that connect via Bluetooth like Apple AirPods. You can click on the side to temporarily mute a call or pause your music, which is the polite thing to do when you check in.

Want a great deal? Sign up for our T+L recommends newsletter And we’ll send you our favorite travel products every week.