9 Expert Airport Tips to Make Checking a Bag Easier

After 12 years working as a ticket and gate agent for a major U.S. airline, Monique Crook has seen her fair share of bottlenecks at the check-in lane. From passengers emptying their entire backpack looking for travel documents to shifting clothes from one overweight bag to another, she’s seen lines grow and grow…and grow due to silly mistakes.

The good news, she says, is that it’s easy to cut down on many of the problems that create huge delays at the ticket counter (which can even lead to missed flights in some cases). 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. Aside from that, there are a few simple travel essentials Crook says that will also help avoid mistakes at the check-in line.

To ensure you’re never that passenger again, I asked Crook to share the biggest mistakes you’re making that hold up airport check-in—and the easy solutions. 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.

Mistake: Overweight Baggage

Solution: Digital Luggage Scale

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

Mistake: Not Having Your ID Ready

Solution: Travel Document Organizer

You’d be surprised how many times a day passengers arrive at the front of the check-in line without their photo ID ready, something Crook says is essential for keeping the line moving smoothly. To avoid emptying your entire backpack looking for it while 30 people behind you stare you down, do yourself a favor and order a travel document organizer. This waterproof one has a spot for everything, including your ID, passport, boarding pass, phone, pen, and cash. It’s also RFID-blocking, which is a security measure many travelers appreciate for protecting sensitive information.

Mistake: Misplacing Visas and Passports

Solution: Color-coded Passport Holder

If you’re traveling to a country that requires a visa, you’ll need to present it at check-in, too. It saves time to have this ready and combined with your passport. 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 right order as quickly as possible. For that, pick a passport holder with pockets for your visa and one that comes in a variety of colors so you can differentiate between your travel party, like the Eoehro Passport Holder—a simple solution at just $9.

Mistake: Checking Luggage

Solution: Pack a Carry-on Only

Often, Crook says, avoiding the check-in line altogether is your best option. “Traveling with only a carry-on and a personal item can save significant time,” she adds. In order to do that, she recommends a few tricks to fit everything you need, such as wearing your bulkiest coat and shoes on the flight instead of packing them to maximize space. If you’re looking for a quality carry-on for a shorter trip, try a convenient underseat luggage like this from flight attendant-loved brand Travelpro. It’s lightweight, compact, and gets you in and out with no fuss.

Mistake: Too Many Bags

Solution: One Checked Bag Per Family

If you can’t fit everything into a carry-on and skip the line, Crook says the key is consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. “If liquids or larger items are necessary, consider checking one bag per family rather than multiple bags,” she says. She recommends one person handle the check-in while the rest of the group parks the car (but to be sure the bag is tagged under the name of the person presenting their ID, since they must match). At 31.1 inches by 20.9 inches by 13.8 inches, the Samsonite Freeform Checked Luggage is a spacious option at Amazon, getting high marks for durability, so you don’t have to worry about it coming back to you damaged.

Mistake: Not Having Quick Access to Your Bag

Solution: Hands-free Crossbody Bag

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

Mistake: Fumbling With Multiple Bags

Solution: Secure Bags With a Luggage Hook Strap

If you’ve got a carry-on or laptop bag balanced precariously on top of your checked bag, chances are it will fall, which will hold up the check-in lane, especially if all your belongings tumble out, too. Here’s a pro tip: To secure your bags together, use a luggage belt or luggage hook strap like the Vigorport Luggage Hook Strap to connect them seamlessly. Its load capacity is over 650 pounds, but hopefully you won’t need to pack that much.

Mistake: Not Having Your Contact Info on a Checked Bag

Solution: Customized Luggage Tag

Some airlines require your contact info to be written on your checked bag. If it’s not there, the gate agent will have you fill one out, likely causing some eyerolls behind you. The simplest solution, of course, is to have it written down before you head to the airport. If your bag doesn’t already have a luggage tag, it’s a good idea to invest in one that’s durable enough to protect your info and, ideally, colorful enough that you can easily pick it out at baggage claim. This Vigorport luggage tag set of four does both—and it’s just $3 per tag.

Mistake: Holding Your Phone

Solution: Wireless Earbuds So You Can Go Hands-free

Imagine this scenario: You’re in line and your phone rings. You’ve been waiting for this call! It’s an important one, so you answer. (Or, maybe it’s just a friend you called as a way to kill time in this long line.) Now, your hands are tied up, and you can’t quickly access your ID or bags when it’s your time to shine at the front of the line—and suddenly, you’re that passenger. Instead of holding your phone, keep it tucked away and your hands free with a set of wireless earbuds that connect by Bluetooth, like Apple AirPods. You can click the side to temporarily mute a call or pause your music, which is the polite thing to do when you’re checking in.

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