Why shouldn't you check luggage early at the airport according to a baggage handler?

Why You Shouldn’t Check Luggage Early at the Airport

As you prepare for your upcoming flight, it may be tempting to arrive at the airport early and check your luggage right away. However, according to a baggage handler, this is not the best strategy. Here’s why:

Baggage Handling System

Airport baggage handling systems are not designed on a “first-in, first-out” basis. Instead, bags are sorted and routed based on various factors, such as destination, weight, and shape. This means that your bag may not be loaded onto the airplane in the order that you checked it.

Factors Affecting Baggage Journey Time

The journey time of your checked bag is influenced by factors beyond its arrival order at the airport. These factors include:

• Baggage screening: Bags must undergo security screening, which can take varying amounts of time depending on the volume of passengers.
• Aircraft loading: Baggage is loaded onto the airplane based on factors such as weight distribution and the aircraft’s configuration. This can affect the order in which bags are placed in the hold.
• Baggage carousel dynamics: Once the airplane arrives at your destination, baggage is unloaded and sorted onto carousels. The carousel location and the distance your bag must travel to reach it can impact the time it takes to retrieve.

Early Check-in Doesn’t Equal Early Retrieval

Although checking your luggage early may give you a sense of relief, it does not guarantee that it will be the first to arrive at its destination. The baggage handling system is complex and factors beyond your control can influence the journey time.

Recommendation

To ensure that your baggage arrives safely and in a timely manner, it is advisable to check it in no more than 2-3 hours before your flight departure. This will give the baggage handlers sufficient time to process and sort your luggage without adding unnecessary delays.