My carry-on win at the Denver airport last month

I was trying to squeeze my bag into the size checker and a flight attendant saw me struggling. She told me to put my jacket in first, then the shoes, and roll everything else tight. I got it in with room to spare and didn't have to gate-check. What's your go-to trick for fitting that last bulky item?

2 comments

2 Comments

gonzalez.alice12d ago

Have you ever tried the compression packing cubes? I use them to press the air out of clothes, which creates a surprising amount of extra space in my bag. It's made a huge difference for my last-minute additions.

margarethill12d ago

Saw a travel blog once that suggested putting socks inside your shoes to save space, which seems obvious but I never actually did it until I tried it. That trick plus rolling clothes like you mentioned is a solid combo for avoiding the dreaded gate check. I'm with @gonzalez.alice on the packing cube thing, though I use the cheap ones from the discount store and they still help a ton. Honestly, half the battle is just not bringing that "maybe" sweater in the first place, but I never learn.