Overhead compartments can cause chaos if not used correctly, and it’s one of the most avoidable causes of frustration and delay in the airport, according to travel experts
Navigating through the hustle and bustle of airports, enduring long queues, security checks and the general pandemonium of locating your gate amidst a crowd can make air travel quite nerve-wracking.
However, travel gurus at Wild Packs have pointed out that one of the most easily avoidable sources of annoyance and delay is how travellers handle their luggage.
A survey by Co-op revealed that 65 per cent of Brits find the airport to be the most stressful part of their journey, with delays and the security process, including luggage weighing, being major stressors.
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Jamie Fraser, a travel expert from Wild Packs, shed light on a frequent hand luggage blunder that can cause unnecessary hold-ups during boarding.
“One of the most common mistakes people make when boarding their plane is using the overhead compartments incorrectly,” Fraser said. As airlines continue to hike up prices for checked luggage, more and more passengers are choosing to bring carry-on bags, leading to an overflow in the overhead lockers.
“Many people disregard size restrictions or fail to stow their bags correctly, opting to put small personal items in the overhead bin instead of under the seat,” Fraser elaborated.
“Some travellers also mistakenly believe they have exclusive rights to the bin above their seat, even if it’s already crammed.”
Such behaviour can result in delays, as cabin crew may need to check bags into the hold at the last minute, reports the Express. Another frequent faux pas is retrieving your bag from rows behind you when disembarking the plane.
Fraser warned that this behaviour can lead to delays, stating: “It forces other passengers to stop while you try to reach your bag, clogging up the aisle and slowing down the whole process.”
He advises that if your bag is stowed further back, it’s more considerate to wait until the aisle is clear or until most passengers have disembarked before retrieving it.
Additionally, Fraser notes that being oblivious to one’s surroundings can cause bottlenecks during the boarding process.
“While rushing to get their seat, passengers will swing their bags without realising they’re knocking into others, or they stop suddenly in the aisle, creating a bottleneck for other passengers,” he explained.
The struggle to manage oversized hand luggage also contributes to the hold-up, as plane cabins are narrow and typically crowded with other travellers and cabin crew.
“The best way to avoid this is to keep your bags close to your body and be mindful of those around you before moving,” Fraser suggested.