Everything Flight Attendants Immediately Notice About Your Carry-On Luggage

With flight prices climbing, it's no wonder passengers are getting crafty to save a few bucks — especially when it comes to dodging those infamously never-ending baggage fees. Chronic over-packers love doing the sneaky trick of putting some of their belongings in unsuspecting duty-free bags, while others try to master the "folding in" packing hack to ensure their essentials fit in a single carry-on. But while these hacks might help you avoid coughing up fees at the check-in counter, don't assume you've outsmarted the cabin crew. Flight attendants have seen every trick in the travel book — and probably a few you haven't thought of yet. Whether it's a suspiciously full shopping bag or an overloaded or oversized carry-on, chances are they'll clock it as soon as you board the plane.

Flight attendants are pros at reading passengers. They notice various details and can quickly tell if you're a nervous flyer, had a little too much to drink, or are dragging along one too many bags. "I try to pay as much attention to bags as possible," Reginald D. Dominique, a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines, told Reader's Digest. "Does anything look a little off? Is the luggage too large to fit in an overhead compartment? I also check whether bags have been tagged to be put in cargo or have hazard labels on them." This just means that if you're trying to bend the rules, you're probably not fooling anyone. And if you somehow are, pray that the universe is on your side. Otherwise, enjoy your temporary victory before someone politely asks you to gate-check that so-called "personal item."

You might think you're being slick with your extra or oversized bags, but flight attendants see everything. You're not the only one trying to bend the rules, and they're watching. "More people are bringing more pieces, and those pieces are larger than before," Greg Forbes, Delta's managing director of airport experience, told The Wall Street Journal.

And it's not just the number of bags they're clocking. Some flight attendants are discreetly eyeballing what's inside those bags — especially if you somehow zipped through TSA with a little too much confidence. "I've had people try to smuggle pets in their purses or handbags, bottles of booze in their briefcases. (Booze is allowed as long as it stays capped. You just can't drink your own liquor on the plane)," Janice Bridger, a flight attendant with three decades of experience, revealed on Quora. "So yes, I need to be vigilant and aware, all behind my 'greeting face' of smile and pleasant, comforting welcome!"

Of course, they're not looking to start drama. No one wants to gate-check your bag or boot you off the plane. And so, if a flight attendant asks you to gate-check that overstuffed roller, don't act shocked. They're not out to ruin your day — they just want the plane to take off on time. With that in mind, don't push your luck or assume the airline workers aren't paying attention. They're smiling, yes, but they've seen it all. And they will call you out if need be.