I'm a Former Gate Agent, and These Are the 11 Carry-on Mistakes That Slow Down Boarding Every Single Time

"After years of working as a gate agent at an airport, I can tell you that boarding delays don't always come from weather or staffing issues. More often, they come from what passengers bring on board and how they handle themselves once they step onto the aircraft. What surprised me most as a TSA agent wasn't that passengers made these mistakes-it was how predictable they were."

"And while each moment might only add a few seconds to a passenger's personal schedule, together, they can turn a smooth boarding process into a slow, stressful experience for everyone involved. Boarding an airplane doesn't have to feel chaotic or rushed. From a gate agent's perspective, the passengers who moved through the cabin effortlessly weren't frequent fliers; they were simply prepared. Thoughtful carry-on bag choices, organized essentials, and a properly charged phone with a boarding pass can make a noticeable difference for the entire plane."

Boarding delays often stem from passengers' carry-on choices and in-cabin behavior rather than weather or staffing. Repeated predictable mistakes—oversized bags, disorganized essentials, uncharged phones, and unclear boarding passes—create small slowdowns that accumulate into significant delays. Properly sized luggage, organized items, and accessible digital or printed boarding passes minimize aisle blocking, bin reshuffling, and gate checks. When passengers prepare, boarding proceeds faster, crews and fellow travelers experience less stress, and flights depart more efficiently. Simple swaps and a little planning prevent most common issues and noticeably improve the boarding experience for the entire aircraft.

Read at Travel + Leisure