A flight attendant says the biggest mistake she sees passengers make is an overpacked carry-on suitcase

11.08.2023 - 19:13 / insider.com

During CiCi's career as a flight attendant, she's spotted travelers making all sorts of mistakes.

But the biggest, she previously told Insider, is packing a bag that's too full.

CiCi, who asked Insider to omit her full name and the airline she works for, for privacy reasons, said: "The number one thing, especially for tiny women, is to make sure you can pick that bag up and put it in the overhead bin."

While all the packing tips you see on TikTok and Instagram are great for squeezing more into your bag, CiCi stressed that travelers should never reach the point where their bag is too heavy.

"If I start noticing that it's getting too heavy and I can't pick it up, then I need to make some adjustments," CiCi, who shares flight tips on TikTok and Instagram under the name @cici.inthesky, said.

"Because of our job, we're not supposed to pick up people's bags," she said. "If we do that, it puts strain on our body."

"But a lot of people don't realize that," she added.

As The Washington Post reported, lifting suitcases is not part of a flight attendant's job requirements. Instead, during the boarding process, flight attendants are focused on making sure passengers get to their seats quickly and watching for any unruly behavior. 

While each airline's policy differs, most state that flight attendants aren't required to help with luggage. For example, Delta's website outlines its carry-on policy and emphasizes that passengers should be able to lift their luggage on their own.

"When packing, please remember that flight attendants are unable to proactively assist customers placing carry-on baggage into overhead bins, with certain exceptions," Delta's website states. These exceptions can include passengers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, and older travelers.

JetBlue's baggage page states something similar: "Please make sure items can be lifted into the overhead bin if assistance is not available and the item does not fit beneath the seat."

So if your bag is getting a bit too heavy, consider CiCi's advice, and start working out by lifting your suitcase. 

"One of the things I do is I literally use my luggage as an exercise routine," she said.