You made your flight, you spent hours cooped up like a battery chicken, you ate some crummy meal and now you’ve touched down.

Time to celebrate, except that you’re left standing at the carousel while bags of all different shapes and sizes pop out the chute.

No, no, no, hang on…no, not yours, either.

Truth be told you deserve better, and Thomas Lo Sciuto, a ramp worker and gate agent, says there is an easy fix.

He spilled the beans to the Telegraph:

“Bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts so if you check in last, your bags will be in the last bag cart, which will make them the last on the aircraft, and then the first off the aircraft at your destination.”

Lo Sciuto says the same logic applies in reverse: check in first and your bag will be last off.

“Also remember to be nice to your counter agents and gate agents,” he says, with a clear agenda. “The friendlier you are the more likely you will get what you want.”

Basically, when it comes to collecting your luggage, the early bird doesn’t catch the worm.

Any other tricks:

Flying business or first class means you’ll almost always get a “priority” bag tag that separates your luggage out from the herd. But that’s not really a trick, so much as a privilege. Bear in mind though that some frequent flyer programmes offer this as a perk, even if you’re stuck in economy.

Various other sources have indicated that getting a “fragile” sticker attached to your luggage makes it more likely to be set aside with extra care and loaded on last. It’s worth a shot, at least.

Lie, cheat, steal and bide your time before checking your luggage.

Another pro tip – Flight Centre are running some cracking Black Friday specials on flights and travel packages.

Be sure to check in bright and early tomorrow morning – HERE – so you don’t miss out.

[source:telegraph]