Have you ever noticed that person at the airport who seems to be doing everything “wrong,” yet they are the most relaxed person in the terminal? That used to be me-the guy with the empty bottle and the roll of duct tape in his carry-on. After years of navigating through 50+ airports, I’ve developed a few habits that look absolutely bizarre to the casual observer. But here’s the thing: these “weird” habits have saved me hundreds of euros and countless headaches.
1. The Empty Water Bottle Trick
Let’s be honest: paying €4.50 for a bottle of water after security feels like a personal insult. Every single time I travel, I carry a sturdy, empty reusable bottle in my backpack. Why empty? Because security won’t let it through if it’s full. But once you’re past the X-ray machines, almost every modern airport has high-quality water fountains or “hydration stations.”
The Hack: Refill it right before you board. Not only do you save money, but you also don’t have to wait for the flight attendant to bring you a tiny 150ml plastic cup mid-flight when you’re parched.
2. Taking a Photo of My Checked Luggage
If you see someone taking a “photoshoot” of their suitcase at the check-in counter, don’t laugh. I take one photo of the outside (to prove its condition) and one of the inside (to prove what was in it). If the airline loses your bag or it arrives crushed, having a time-stamped photo is your golden ticket for compensation. It’s hard for an airline to argue about the value of your items when you have photographic evidence taken 10 minutes before you handed it over.
3. The “Duct Tape” Lifeboat
I always wrap about a meter of heavy-duty duct tape around my reusable water bottle or a pen. I once saw a woman’s expensive suitcase zipper explode in the middle of Lisbon airport. She was frantic. I peeled off my tape, reinforced her bag, and she made her flight. It also works for fixing a torn backpack strap or even a shoe sole that decides to quit in the middle of a terminal.
4. Wearing My Heaviest Gear to the Gate
I might look like I’m heading for an Arctic expedition in the middle of July, but there’s a method to the madness. Budget airlines like Ryanair or Wizz Air are getting stricter by the day. If my cabin bag is 1kg over the limit, I simply take out my heaviest hoodie or jacket and wear it. Cargo pants are also a secret weapon—their deep pockets can easily hold chargers and heavy electronics that don’t need to be weighed.
5. Checking the “Power Mapping”
The first thing I do when I get to my gate isn’t looking for a seat—it’s looking for a hidden power outlet. Most people crowd around the obvious charging stations. But if you look near the floor-level pillars or behind the metal seating rows, there are often maintenance outlets used by cleaning crews. Being the only person with a working phone on an 8-hour flight is a luxury you can’t put a price on.
6. Digital “Hygiene” Before Takeoff
Before I even leave for the airport, I delete all my old boarding passes from my digital wallet. I’ve seen it happen too many times: a traveler gets to the gate, opens their phone, and accidentally shows a boarding pass from three months ago. The line stalls, the gate agent gets annoyed, and the traveler panics. One trip, one pass. Keep it simple.
Travel is chaotic, but these small, slightly “weird” rituals are my way of taking back control. They might make me look like a paranoid traveler, but when I’m sipping cold water and charging my phone while others are stressed—I know it’s worth it.
