After a protracted flight, the very last thing anybody desires is to be caught at baggage declare, watching dozens of suitcases circle by whereas yours is nowhere in sight. We’ve all been there—and it’s by no means enjoyable. Happily, there are methods to hurry up the method and improve your bag’s probabilities of popping out first.

Airways deal with staggering volumes of baggage every day. For context, Delta dealt with 145 million checked baggage final yr; that breaks down to almost 400,000 per day on common—an unlimited quantity highlighting how complicated and automatic trendy baggage programs are.

Whereas there’s no surefire method to assure your suitcase is the primary one on the carousel, there are a number of sensible methods that may significantly enhance your odds, says Greenback Flight Membership founder Jesse Neugarten. However earlier than diving into these, it’s price debunking one widespread delusion: “A variety of vacationers consider that paying for checked baggage by a basic economy ticket someway deprioritizes their bag,” Neugarten explains. Nonetheless, in actuality, that’s not the case. “As soon as the bag is within the system, the way it’s dealt with relies upon far more on when and the way it’s checked—not the fare class you booked.”

Under, we’re breaking down expert-approved methods to spice up your bag’s probabilities of being among the many first on the carousel.

Develop into a frequent flier. 

«Many individuals do not realize how complicated the stomach of the checked baggage beast is,» explains Katy Nastro, journey professional at Going (previously Scott’s Low-cost Flights). «Intricate conveyor belts at a few of the world’s largest airports are managed by programs to make sure passengers not solely obtain their baggage however, in some instances, get their baggage first.» Whereas there is no assured method to be first at baggage declare, Nastro notes that being a frequent flier or holding elite standing is your greatest wager. Per the professional, airways typically tag these baggage in another way, making it simpler for the system and baggage handlers to separate them. «And for loyalty members, this is usually a good perk—you do not all the time must e book a premium seat to learn.»

Gate test your bag.

Full flight? Benefit from the chance to gate-check your carry-on bag without spending a dime, which Nastro describes as a possible «golden alternative to not have to attend in your bag on the carousel.» Remember that gate checks with jet bridge pickup usually solely occur on smaller home flights with restricted overhead bin house. In case your bag will get rerouted to baggage declare, gate-checking simply earlier than takeoff would not essentially imply it’ll arrive any sooner.

Fly first-class.

As he beforehand talked about, there’s no distinction between how baggage are handled for primary economic system and economic system ticket holders. However based on Neugarten, passengers flying in a premium cabin usually have their checked baggage tagged as “precedence,” which implies they’re loaded final and among the many first to be unloaded while you land. “Baggage for first-class passengers typically travels on a separate cart and is sorted for quick supply,” he explains. “It’s one of many few constant perks airways nonetheless prioritize—and sure, it typically works.”

Ask for a «precedence» or «fragile» tag.

“Even in the event you’re flying economic system, asking for a ‘precedence’ tag—typically out there at check-in for a charge or by sure bank cards—or a ‘fragile’ label can assist,” says Neugarten. He tells Journey + Leisure that baggage marked fragile are sometimes positioned on high of different baggage and loaded final, which implies they’re usually among the many first to be unloaded upon touchdown. Whereas it’s not a assure, Neugarten calls it a low-effort method to probably bounce the road at baggage declare.

Verify in later—however not too late!

“A standard false impression is that checking in early will get you higher bag service,” says Neugarten. Nonetheless, the alternative is usually true: “The sooner you test your baggage, the earlier it will get loaded—that means it’s extra more likely to come out final at baggage declare.” Baggage checked nearer to departure are usually loaded final and are available off first. Simply don’t reduce it too shut—otherwise you would possibly miss your flight; many airways require baggage to be checked at the very least 45 minutes earlier than departure now.

Select smaller airports. 

In relation to getting your bag shortly, airport dimension and effectivity positively matter, says Neugarten—and the reasoning is smart. “Bigger hub airports typically have longer baggage processing instances because of quantity,” he explains. “Smaller or newer airports with upgraded programs are inclined to ship baggage sooner throughout the board.” So when you have a selection, choosing a smaller or extra trendy airport might assist velocity up your time at baggage declare.