Could This Popular Carry-On Packing Hack Get You Flagged By TSA?

When it comes to traveling, one of the most difficult things for many of us is packing. While the act of putting clothes, shoes, and toiletries into our luggage is a piece of cake, it's the decision-making involved that can make things dubious, to say the least. After all, we've probably all been that person who went away for a long weekend to the Caribbean in mid-July but decided to bring half our wardrobe, including several wool sweaters, because "you never know." There's nothing wrong with being overly prepared, but if you're someone who simply has yet to master the complete guide to light packing, then you may end up overstuffing your expandable carry-on, a popular hack that can get you flagged by TSA. 

As much as it's your choice to see exactly how much your bag's zipper can take before it busts open and breaks — a problem no one wants — those overstuffed expandable carry-on bags stand in the way of TSA agents being able to properly view all of the bag's contents. When you overstuff, you also run the risk of not even being able to take the bag as a carry-on if it exceeds airline size restrictions, meaning it can be no more than 22 x 14 x 9 inches for most major airlines. If you find yourself overstuffing the next time you're getting ready for a trip, realize there's a smart way to pack bulky clothes in your carry-on, but also ask yourself whether you really need all those things or not.  

If your overstuffed carry-on was able to pass the bag size checkpoint before you got into the security line, congratulations. But don't celebrate just yet. "I always advise travelers to never overpack their carry-on bags," former transportation security officer Michael Delgado told Apartment Therapy. "It makes your bag harder to see through the X-ray... because the X-ray operator can not readily identify the masses in the bag." When this happens, the TSA agent will make you put your bag through the machine again. If they still can't get a clear reading of exactly what you have in there, they'll pull you and your bag aside so they can go through it, piece by piece.

Depending on what you absolutely felt you couldn't live without when you originally overstuffed your carry-on, you just might find yourself in a bit of an awkward position. For example, if you've packed your 4-foot-long boa constrictor, not only are you going to have to explain why to the TSA agent, but you're also going to find yourself amongst the most bizarre items TSA has ever confiscated, and then you're one boa constrictor short. Basically, no matter how you slice it, overstuffing your carry-on is rarely a smart approach to packing, so it's best if you just don't do it.