Airport worker shares secret to retrieving your luggage first at the airport carousel
An insider from Heathrow Airport has shared a clever trick that could help ensure your luggage comes off the plane first, meaning you'll be out of the airport quicker
Navigating through an airport can often be a nerve-wracking ordeal, laden with the tension of stringent security screenings and the lingering concern about your checked bags, which only eases once you see your belongings making the round on the carousel. Even with vigilant oversight to prevent mix-ups, a nifty hack could help you retrieve your luggage first after touchdown.
Escape.com's specialists dish out a sly tactic: check in as late as you possibly can while still managing to catch your flight.
Airport guru Thomas Lo Sciuto, who has extensive experience with baggage matters as a ramp agent, advises: "Your best option is to be one of the last passengers to check your bags. This is because bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts."
However, when it comes to securing a prime spot for your suitcase, timing isn't everything; packing strategy counts too.
If playing chicken with the check-in clock sounds too harrowing, SmarterTravel proposes an alternative: airlines like Delta at Heathrow's Terminal 3 sort bags by size to ensure balance on the plane, hinting at a separate method to get ahead in the luggage retrieval race.
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Ever intrigued by what happens to your suitcase once it disappears behind the check-in counter?
Your bags are organized into large containers, or "cans," which are designed to carry multiple pieces of luggage and make transport easier. Experts at SmarterTravel explain: "In other words, how far back your bag ends up depends on the weight of the can and the needs of the plane, not when you check it."
It's also worth noting that single-aisle planes often hold checked luggage in a staging area until they're loaded onto the aircraft shortly before takeoff. Therefore, the order in which bags are stacked typically corresponds with the sequence of check-in.
But checking in early might have a downside, as your suitcase could be placed at the very back of the storage area, meaning it gets put on the plane last. However, the upside is that it might be among the first to be unloaded.
Looking to minimize the wait at baggage claim?
Putting a "fragile" label on your suitcase might be a clever move. As reported by news.com.au, marking your luggage as "fragile" could result in it being loaded last onto the plane, making it one of the first to be retrieved upon landing.
Keep in mind that luggage is usually handled in bulk, so the order of unloading can change.
Just remember to remove any old "fragile" stickers from previous trips. Customizing your luggage with eye-catching straps, bright tags, or unique name labels is another effective way to quickly identify your items.
For the quickest journey through an airport, opt for carry-on luggage only. Make sure your hand luggage adheres to the airline's size guidelines to avoid having to check it at the gate.
A personal item, often referred to as a small bag, should fit under the seat in front of you and typically shouldn't exceed 40x30x20cm. Carry-on bags must be stored in the overhead bin.
These bags usually weigh 10kg and are no larger than 56x45x25cm. British Airways generally provides the most generous free carry-on luggage allowance among UK airlines on its basic fares.
Travelers are permitted to bring one 23kg carry-on bag (56x45x25cm) and one smaller personal item (up to 40x30x15cm) free of charge. Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic also allow a free carry-on bag (10kg, 56x45x25cm) and a personal item.
Always verify with individual airlines before you travel.
