Passengers taking international flights are required to carry their passports. While traveling domestically in the United States, if you do not have a REAL ID, a passport can serve as a valid boarding document. However, it is important to remember not to place your passport in your carry-on luggage. It is highly recommended to keep your passport on your person or in a personal item.
For most airlines, non-business class passengers are allowed to carry one carry-on bag and one personal item. What do passengers fear most when traveling by air? Many would say being asked to check their carry-on luggage at the boarding gate. Gate-checking refers to passengers being forced to check their carry-on items (usually wheeled small suitcases) at the gate before boarding.
Due to more passengers opting to carry their belongings in their carry-on to avoid checked baggage fees, airlines are changing their policies on carry-on sizes, potentially further restricting the dimensions. If your passport is in your carry-on and you are forced to gate-check it due to slight oversize or full overhead bins, forgetting to retrieve your passport can lead to serious consequences.
When boarding international flights, passengers usually need to pass through customs before collecting their checked baggage and leaving the airport. Missing a passport can lead to major troubles. Without a passport, you may be denied entry or face fines. If you have a connecting domestic flight, you may easily miss your flight. For example, flying from New York through Rome to Naples and not having your passport with you during the immigration process in Rome could cause you to miss your connecting flight.
Even if your carry-on is not gate-checked, it is not a secure option to store your passport. Unfortunately, in-flight theft incidents are not uncommon, and although statistics are hard to come by, the probability may be higher than people imagine. Typically, there may not be enough space in the overhead bin above your own seat. If you have to store your carry-on a few rows ahead or behind, keeping an eye on your belongings is not easy.
Furthermore, some travelers may forget their carry-on bags when leaving the plane, contributing to what is known as “vacation brain.” Retrieving forgotten items on the plane after disembarking can be extremely difficult, especially when the aircraft is about to take off again.
In 2018, a young British couple traveling to Greece accidentally left their passports on the plane. “We felt like we were being watched, almost like as if we were criminals,” the couple told The Independent. Less than an hour later, they were put on the next flight back to the UK. “They gave us our boarding passes and just threw us onto the next flight. We had no choice.”
The couple’s passports were never found. Replacing passports not only involves expenses but also requires various documents.
Smart travelers carry their passports on them. Passports can be kept in stylish waist packs, crossbody bags, and in the pockets of travel pants and jackets, but it is vital to ensure that the pockets or bags have zippers. From checking in for the flight to arriving at the destination, there are many instances where you may need to present your passport, such as during security checks, boarding, and customs clearance.
At the very least, your passport should be kept in your personal belongings and with you throughout the entire journey.
[This article references a report from Travel + Leisure.]