A JETSETTING mum reveals the cheap travel item you should never use at the airport.
Emma Gill thought she had cracked the code for smoother travel with a simple Tesco purchase – but it quickly proved to be a nightmare.
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The mum who usually juggles her family’s passports, believed her recent buy would make their trip from Manchester Airport a breeze.
Emma told OK: “As the one who usually handles my family’s passports, I thought my recent Tesco purchase would make our trip more seamless.”
Emma was convinced she had found the perfect travel hack: individual passport covers for each family member.
Priced at just £1.60 each, it seemed like a bargain too good to pass up.
Despite some eye-rolling from her brood about the necessity of the covers, Emma stood by her idea.
She imagined being able to hand out each passport without having to double-check whose was whose, thinking it would save time and stress.
However, her hopes were quickly dashed at Manchester Airport.
She told The Mirror: “At the check-in desk, I was asked to remove the covers. Then again at passport control and when we were boarding.”
The supposed time-saver turned into a time-waster, with Emma having to repeatedly strip the covers off the passports.
By the time she boarded the plane, Emma had completely given up on the covers.
Frustration had set in, and she realised that instead of streamlining the process, the covers had caused unwanted delays.
Emma wrapped up her travel tale with a note of finality.
She added: “Their next destination? The bin, which could explain why they were discounted to begin with.
“From now on, it’s back to basics with plain passports, and that’s the way it’s going to stay.”
So, if you’re thinking of sprucing up your travel documents with some bargain covers, think again.
Emma’s experience is a stark reminder that sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Stick to the basics and save yourself the hassle at security.
Although this airport item didn’t quite make the cut, there are a few travel must-haves that could save you a pretty penny.
A savvy traveller has revealed how she beats airline’s strict hand luggage rules by sneaking an extra bag onto the plane for £1.55.
That’s not the only handy hack, another TikToker, Sam Petrarca revealed another tip for taking extra items onboard a Ryanair flight for free.
Elsewhere, whilst passport covers can slow you down, this common airport mistake could leave you hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
Mistakes to avoid at airports
A flight attendant reveals the top mistakes to avoid at airports.
Misunderstanding Liquid Rules:
- New scanners might be in place in the UK but not in popular destinations like Greece and Spain.
- Check if your destination airport has updated security systems before you travel.
- Pack liquids in 100ml bottles in a see-through plastic bag if your destination doesn’t have new scanners.
Arriving Too Early:
- Huge queues are forming due to confusion around liquid rules.
- Stick to the general advice: three hours for long haul, two hours for short haul.
- Arriving too early can lead to more congestion.
Ignoring Airport Regulations:
- UK airports with new scanners still require liquids to be in 100ml bottles.
- The only change is that liquids can remain in bags while being scanned.
Overpacking Liquids:
- If your destination lacks new scanners, overpacking will mean leaving behind larger bottles.
- Pack liquids as usual to avoid last-minute issues.
Panicking About Delays:
- If you’re late, inform airline staff—they can often expedite your passage through the airport.
- Don’t skip duty-free shopping unnecessarily; just ensure you’re at the gate on time.