Navigating airline rules and policies can be an annoying process, even for frequent flyers who understand the majority of rules. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn’t limit passengers to one personal item + one carry-on directly, most airlines have rules like this in place. Yet, travelers are trying to game the system and make flying more frustrating for everyone.
I spoke with airline experts like Points Path Managing Editor, Jennifer Yellin, and Anton Radchenko, Founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, to discover the real reason airlines crack down on carry-ons and why passenger behavior and “hacks” cause more harm than good.
The rise of viral travel hacks
Hacks like stuffing neck pillows or layering clothes have “normalized” rule-bending, according to Anton Radchenko, Founder and CEO of AirAdvisor.
“Two or three years ago, this kind of thing was considered fringe behavior, but today it’s become almost routine. The pillowcase hack is a perfect example. Once it goes viral, passengers try it, and gate agents just end up confiscating or charging for what is obviously the contents of a bag, just not in an actual carry-on. But passengers can be banned altogether for doing this,” he says.
Other sneaky tricks can cause carry-on chaos, too, with passengers coming up with new ways to get around rules put in place by airlines. For example, Points Path Managing Editor, Jennifer Yellin, shares: “On a flight this past spring, a passenger in front of me exceeded the carry-on limit (with multiple shopping bags in hand). She was asked to consolidate, and instead, just asked the passenger in front of her — who was flying empty-handed — to carry her bag.”
Recent trends that add hidden bulk or additional carry-on items, like stuffed pillows, duty-free “sleeves” around totes, or stacking multiple “personal items” can all create last-minute disputes and force agents to do gate-checks right at the aircraft door as passengers are boarding.
“And airlines basically tell their staff and crew that if it walks and talks like a bag, it must treat it like a bag,” says Radchenko.
Why airlines enforce carry-on rules
“Depending on the aircraft, there’s only a limited amount of overhead bin space, so when passengers bring an oversized bag or multiple personal items, there’s always the chance that those items won’t fit. This causes a holdup in the boarding process and can ultimately cause a flight to be slightly delayed. Instead of getting passengers on board, flight attendants are busy moving around luggage to try to get everything to fit perfectly,” says Yellin.
Passengers must remember that these carry-on rules are put in place by airlines for safety and organization when boarding, ensuring the aircraft’s weight and balance are properly accounted for.
“At the end of the day, airlines have a legal responsibility to enforce an FAA-approved carry-on program that controls the size and amount of cabin baggage. If an item exceeds the FAA rules, the agents have no choice but to tag or check bags, regardless of what a TikTok video might have promised,” Radchenko says. “The biggest problem is safety and stowage compliance. Bags must fit in approved compartments and be properly restrained. When they don’t, crews have to gate-check these bags to the hold, which takes time and can cause departure delays. So, tempers start to flare, and then the flight attendants have to deal with that as well.”
Ultimately, strict airline rules because of a lack of bin space make boarding time longer, which leads to delays — encouraging flyers to follow the rules from the get-go.
Avoiding conflict when traveling
“Check your exact fare and aircraft, don’t assume a federal ‘one plus one.’ Treat the under-seat item as your guaranteed space, pre-size your larger bag before the gate, and ignore viral travel hacks,” says Radchenko. “When you’re boarding, remember that crews must abide by the FAA-approved program, not TikTok hacks.”
Understanding the why behind these regulations can make it easier to comply and avoid conflict when traveling.
Additionally, experts like Yellin say navigating the rules can be easier with the right travel gear. “Packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to packing, as they condense your items and maximize space in your luggage. If you want to ensure to be able to fit all of your belongings in a carry-on luggage, investing in packing cubes is one place to start,” she recommends.
