Latest news with #TomSchott
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Packing expert's luggage trick can save your airport sanity. All you need is a piece of cardboard
Air travel often comes with its fair share of stress—long queues, tight spaces, and above all, the challenge of fitting your life into a carry-on bag. But a recent update from the European Union might be a breath of fresh air for travellers who dread repacking at the gate . In response to new EU regulations, Ryanair has officially increased the dimensions of its free cabin baggage allowance from 40cm x 20cm x 25cm to a more generous 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. That's a 20% boost in volume—a change that has flyers cautiously optimistic. Ryanair cheekily confirmed the update via X (formerly Twitter), writing: 'yes, it's true… our free bag size is increasing by 20% (we'll still be watching),' a nod to the airline's well-known strictness on hand luggage. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category others Artificial Intelligence CXO Healthcare Data Analytics Operations Management Cybersecurity Product Management Data Science Technology Others Degree Digital Marketing MBA Project Management Management Public Policy Leadership PGDM MCA Data Science Design Thinking Finance healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details — Ryanair (@Ryanair) The Secret Weapon? Cardboard. Yes, Really. But what does one do with this newfound space? Enter packaging expert Tom Schott from Schott Packaging, whose carry-on hack has sparked buzz across frequent flyer communities. His advice isn't about cramming in more—rather, it's about how you use the space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Sit Down Before You See What He Looks Like Now 33 Bridges Undo 'The new dimension is a game-changer, but only if you use it wisely,' Schott said according to a report from UNILAD. 'The mistake is to simply cram more in. The real victory for passengers is using that volume to pack with structure. A well-packed bag is a compliant bag.' His surprising recommendation? Add a snug-fitting cardboard box inside your soft bag. This simple hack not only prevents the fabric from bulging—something that often draws attention from gate staff—but also helps you utilise every single corner of your allowance. You Might Also Like: Travel warning: The one suitcase colour most likely to go missing at airports and how to avoid it Crush-Proof Zone for Your Essentials According to Schott, placing a small box cushioned by clothes in the centre of your bag serves multiple functions. It acts as a frame, keeps your items compact, and creates a 'crush-proof' zone for chargers, toiletries, and gadgets—protecting them from leaks, pressure, and damage. This makes taking out and re-packing electronics during security checks a breeze, since their designated space remains undisturbed. It's not just clever—it's efficient. Visualise Before You Pack Another underrated tip? Layout your items before packing. 'It gives you a real-world view of what fits and helps you assemble your packed modules logically and quickly,' said Schott. This level of structure could save travellers from the dreaded gate-side fees for oversized baggage. 'These aren't just clever tricks, but core principles of efficient packing,' Schott said. You Might Also Like: A busy doctor finds a trick to spot his luggage instantly at airport. Netizens impressed So, the next time you're staring at your suitcase, overwhelmed by what to leave behind, consider this: a humble piece of cardboard might just be your ticket to hassle-free travel. Because sometimes, a little structure can go a long way—especially at 30,000 feet.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Ryanair passengers urged to use simple cardboard trick when packing to avoid being stung with extra fares
As the summer holiday season kicks off, sun-seekers across the UK are dusting off their suitcases as they gear up for the ultimate getaway. But with the cost of living still climbing, holidaymakers are turning to smart strategies to cut costs - like skipping unexpected checked baggage fees. One popular hack to dodge extra charges is by travelling with just a single carry-on bag. Ryanair allows passengers to bring one small cabin bag for free as long as it fits under the seat in front. However, the budget airline recently revealed it's expanding the size allowance of passengers' complimentary 'personal' bag by 20 per cent per cent due to new EU regulations. The current limit of 40cm x 25cm x 20cm will soon expand to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, giving passengers a bit more space to pack smarter. But packing expert Tom Schott, from Schott Packaging, has a word of warning: more space doesn't mean more stuff. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he said: 'The new dimension is a game-changer, but only if you use it wisely. The mistake is to simply cram more in. The real victory for passengers is using that volume to pack with structure. A well-packed bag is a compliant bag.' Tom suggests placing a snug-fitting piece of cardboard inside your bag to create a firm frame. He says this helps maintain shape, maximises usable space, and avoids the telltale bulges that might draw unwanted attention from gate staff. The expert also recommends using sealable bags to organise items, protect fragile goods and save space. Another tip is to use a small, sturdy box in the centre of your bag, cushioned by clothing, to create a safe zone for chargers, adapters, and toiletries - which, in turn, minimises the risk of damage or leaks. Tom's final word of advice is to lay everything out in a 40cm x 30cm area before packing, as it provides a 'real-world view of what fits.' He added: 'These aren't just clever tricks, but core principles of efficient packing. By applying them, you can confidently pack that extra outfit and still breeze through the boarding gate.' Meanwhile, a new travel hack for those looking to avoid splashing out on cabin baggage fees when flying is going viral online. And all that's needed is a common travel accessory. In a video on TikTok, Nina Edwine (@nina_edwine) shared her ingenious trick to stuff an empty neck pillow with items that would otherwise force her to pay for additional baggage. And despite the small size of the travel pillow, Nina was able to pack in 10 items of clothing, including a bra, tops and a dress. The video, captioned 'rat technique to avoid paying €50 for cabin baggage', has already been viewed 2.6 million times on TikTok. The tactic has been dubbed both 'genius' and 'legendary' by those users of the video-sharing app.
