A TRAVEL expert has revealed why a much-loved packing trip can cause passengers more problems at the airport.
Travellers are always eager to find new hacks that allow them to pack more items in their luggage before jetting off on holiday.
However, a well-seasoned flyer has shared why using popular vacuum-sealed bags could cause headaches for holidaygoers.
Peter Greenberg, CBS travel editor, explained that while the sought-after bags are excellent for “saving space in your closet,” they’re far from ideal for airport security.
Security workers at airports have the right to check the contents inside your luggage if they suspect you’re carrying illegal items.
Peter said: “If they do that, they’re going to break that vacuum seal.”
This can cause your bag to inflate, potentially making it too large to meet the onboard carry-on requirements.
Airport security “is not in the packing business nor are they in the repacking business,” the travel expert added.
“Your bag may not make your flight and you may not see your bag for quite some time.”
When asked whether travellers can use vacuum-sealed bags if they desperately need to, Peter responded: “Do not pack them in your bags… if they open there, you will have a problem.”
It comes after a study found one in three travellers admitted they have no idea how to pack a suitcase efficiently.
A poll, of 2,000 people, found 26 per cent have resorted to sitting on their suitcase to close it and 11 per cent have faced baggage weight penalties.
More than half (56 per cent) have suffered a packing disaster as a result, such as broken zips (21 per cent) and toiletries leaking (20 per cent).
Another packing frustration is crumpled clothes, with 64 per cent willing to do anything to avoid clothes getting creased while travelling.
And 76 per cent would ‘love it’ if they could unpack a suitcase to find nothing needed ironing.
In response to the findings, Lenor Crease Releaser, which commissioned the survey, worked with former A Place in the Sun presenter and expert packer, Danni Menzies, to share her top tips for savvy packing.
Danni said: “As you prepare for your summer holiday, packing effectively can make all the difference and make everything run much smoother.
“After years of travelling, I’ve picked up many packing hacks along the way.
“Rolling clothes can also be a great way to save space and avoid crumpled clothes.”
The research also found that 31 per cent consider packing their case to be more stressful when going away than remembering to lock up the house (28 per cent) or catch a transfer on time (24 per cent).
But 56 per cent always seem to overpack, with 36 per cent only likely to wear up to 69 per cent of what they’ve brought.
And 45 per cent always pack their bags much more neatly on the way to their vacation – with 26 per cent simply stuffing everything in without a care, on the return journey.
Nina Lumsden, from Lenor Crease Releaser, which has more tips and tricks on @the.laundry.hub, Instagram and TikTok channels, added: “Even if you’re the most experienced packer, often when you take your clothes out on the other side they’re creased beyond recognition.
“When we’re enjoying our holiday, no one wants to be doing chores, such as ironing.”
It follows this travel expert’s clever trick using tape that makes packing so much easier and keeps everything in one place.
And this packing expert has revealed how to pack enough luggage that is still under 7kg.
