So, here’s the deal: if you’re like me and tend to push the boundaries with your carry-on or personal item size, you might want to play it smart when it comes to boarding your flight. Let me break it down for you.
Picture this: you’re at the gate, waiting to board your flight, and you’ve got a sneaky feeling that your bag might be pushing the limits of what’s allowed. Well, here’s a little insider tip for you – try not to arrive too early to the gate. Why, you ask? Well, some airlines have this sneaky trick where their gate agents stroll around the gate area before boarding begins, eyeing up bags and sizing them up. I witnessed this firsthand in Lima with LATAM, but trust me, it’s not just them pulling this move. I’ve seen other airlines do the same thing in various airports.
So, what’s the workaround? Simple. Instead of being the early bird, aim to arrive right when boarding starts, or even consider hanging out in a different gate area until the last minute. Keep a close watch on the boarding process, so you know exactly when to make your move and join the line. Why does this work? Well, once the boarding chaos kicks off, the gate agents are in a mad rush to get everyone on the plane pronto. They ain’t got time to be scrutinizing every bag that comes their way.
So, by waiting until the boarding process is in full swing, you significantly reduce the chances of getting busted for your oversized bag. Trust me, this little trick has saved my bacon more times than I can count. Next time you’re cutting it close with your carry-on size, remember this golden rule: timing is everything.