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Packing a carry-on bag for a flight has never been effortless; it’s always taken a bit of ingenuity to arrange things so you can reach what you might need. And for a long time now, we’ve had to remove any scissors or blades and bid au revoir to bottles that hold over 3 ounces. But now? Now we have to do all this and also pack our carry-ons as if they’re about to be checked: no valuables, no breakables, no necessary medications.

Since airlines began charging checked-bag fees last year, many of us have adjusted our habits to avoid checking any luggage. In my opinion, the problems this has caused—overly full overhead bins and major delays boarding—are only getting worse.

This weekend, two flights I was on were significantly late pushing back from the gates because of issues fitting everyone’s allotted luggage in the overhead bins. On the first flight, the plane ran out of space after three-quarters of the passengers boarded, so those of us still at the gate were forced to check our carry-ons right then and there. The woman in front of me was convinced that we all purposely took large carry-on bags to the plane in hopes of being made to check them at the last second, fee-free. Speaking for myself, and judging from everyone else’s grumbles, this was not the case.

The same thing happened on my way home, though my bag made it on the plane in my hand this time. There was plenty of drama, though, as a flight attendant pleaded with passengers already in their seats to let her check their rather large (but still in compliance) bags. Several people refused, and she was nice enough to make room in a closet for a bag that wouldn’t fit overhead.

So my questions are, do other travelers think this problem is getting worse, and do you now pack your carry-on so it’s ready to be checked at any moment? And have you ever purposely orchestrated an at-the-gate bag-check to avoid fees?

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Troobabiee7