Fellow travelers, we need to talk. Airports have become a hot spot for bad behavior. From impatient “gate lice” and inconsiderate “speaker scum” to content creators who artfully arrange and photograph or film their TSA trays (and hold up the security line while they do!), many people seem to be forgetting their manners when they enter the airport these days. Seriously, don’t be those people.
Of course, some behaviors, like listening to your phone at full volume, are obviously bad. But expectations around others, like the latest trend called “belt bumping,” may not be so black and white. What is belt bumping? Why has it become not only common but also highly controversial? And are you doing it when you fly? (Say it ain’t so!) We’ve got the answers to these questions and more, so you can become a more confident and polite traveler.
Read on to find out what is going on with this annoying trend—and what you might want to do differently the next time you’re in an airport.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, cleaning, humor, tech and fun facts all week long.
What is belt bumping, exactly?
View this post on Instagram
Belt bumping is when you leave your empty TSA bin on the conveyor belt or counter after your items have been screened rather than removing it and stacking it with the other empty bins. The “bumping” is the logjam caused by the accumulation of bins left behind, as you can see in this popular Instagram post from Cathy Pedrayes.
Why is this so problematic?
“Belt bumping creates a bottleneck in an already high-stress environment,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and a former Northwest Airlines flight attendant. “When people neglect to remove their empty bins from the conveyor belt, it slows the entire screening process. That delay causes unnecessary frustration for everyone, including TSA agents.” And annoying everyone around you before you’ve even taken your flight is probably not the best way to start your trip!
There could be bigger consequences too, including missing your flight. If you’re already running late or you’re traveling through a busy airport with long security lines, you know every little minute counts. “When bins pile up at the belt exit, you create the choke point: the pickup zone clogs, people bunch up, and the lane can’t keep feeding the next travelers efficiently,” explains travel expert Brooke Morrison. “It’s a ripple effect; one person’s slowdown quickly becomes everyone’s slowdown.”
Why are more people doing this lately?
There are a number of reasons travelers leave their empty bins on the belt, but experts say that belt bumping itself isn’t actually new. As a traveler who has stacked many other passengers’ TSA bins over the years, I agree. But contrary to what travelers like me (and possibly you!) think, the experts don’t believe this behavior is always as deliberately rude as it might seem. Here are the main reasons it’s happening:
More people are traveling
Higher travel volume is a big driver of the uptick in belt bumping, Morrison says. Global air travel reached nearly 10 billion passengers in 2025, and it continues to grow, according to the Airports Council International. With so many people trying to navigate the same small spaces, it’s important that everyone do their part.
“More people moving through the same space means less margin for error,” Morrison says.
Travelers are inexperienced
“Many travelers simply don’t realize there’s an expected flow at security, including returning bins to the designated stack once they’re finished,” Whitmore says. With global travel at an all-time high, you’re bound to have a large number of people who are simply not aware of the “rules.” (More on those coming up.)
“Most people aren’t being rude on purpose,” Whitmore says. “They’re just focused on getting through and getting to their gate on time.”
TSA policies vary
Then there’s the fact that TSA security lines operate differently at different airports. “Some security systems have been modernized [to move and stack the bins automatically], while others still rely on manual bin stacking,” says Steven Vigor, a travel advisor and the CEO of the bespoke travel concierge Revigorate. It’s easy to forget or miss what you’re supposed to do, especially if you’re not a frequent flier.
“Considering the added effects of travel stress, crowding and trying to do everything correctly while everyone stares, people sometimes [unintentionally] do exactly the wrong thing,” Vigor says.
Bins are dirty and germy
Germs are everywhere, but there’s something about airports that heightens our desire to avoid touching things. You’re already crammed in a line, breathing in other people’s airspace (and vice versa); the last thing some people want to do is touch a grimy TSA bin.
A study published in BMC Infectious Diseases found that TSA bins carry more germs than airport toilet seats—yuck! So even if it’s annoying, it’s no wonder that some people just bail after they grab their stuff.
What does TSA say about this?
There is no official TSA rule about bin stacking or belt bumping. “The expectations vary by airport and in some cases even by terminal,” Vigor says. “There’s no universal rule, which is precisely the problem.”
You can see clear bin-stacking signage in the Instagram post above. Yet numerous commenters mention experiencing the opposite—being shouted at by TSA staff, instructing them not to stack the bins—at other airports. In my own travels around the world, I have encountered all of the above.
What’s proper bin etiquette when going through security?
Bin etiquette varies depending on the airport and system, so your best bet is to pay attention to what’s happening around you. “If staff or signs instruct you to ‘leave bins,’ you leave them,” Vigor says. “Otherwise, do everyone a favor and stack the bins the way the system expects.”
If you get flustered (we get it—the entire process can be overwhelming, even for experienced travelers), Morrison has a suggestion: “Think: Collect, clear and move,” she says. “Grab your items quickly, stack/return bins where directed, then step into the repacking area at the end to reorganize your bag.”
And if you’re worried about touching the bins’ contaminated surfaces, keep sanitizer or sanitizing wipes in your carry-on bag to use after you pass through security.
What should you do if you’re running late for your flight?
Collect your belongings, stack the bin and hightail it to your gate. The only time you should leave the bin on the belt is if TSA or signage instructs you to do so or there’s an automatic mechanism for removing and circulating the bins.
“Good etiquette isn’t about being perfect,” Whitmore says. “It’s about being considerate of the people around you, especially in tight, time-sensitive spaces like airport security lines.” Stacking your bin only takes a second, but leaving it to jam up the belt could slow the process for others behind you who may also be running late.
“This is a small habit with a big payoff,” Morrison says. “If travelers simply clear their bins and move to the repacking area, lines move faster, the space feels calmer, and everyone behind you gets through with less stress.”
RELATED:
- Traveling Soon? You Can Now Use Your iPhone as Your Real ID—Here’s How to Add Your Info
- This Is the No. 1 Rudest Thing Passengers Do When Deplaning. Are You Guilty of It?
- Flying Out of One of These Airports? Prepare to Spend More on Parking, Beds and Booze
About the experts
|
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Jacqueline Whitmore, business etiquette expert, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach and former Northwest Airlines flight attendant; email interview, Jan. 12, 2026
- Brooke Morrison, travel expert for American Travel Family; email interview, Jan. 12, 2026
- Steven Vigor, travel advisor and CEO of Revigorate; email interview, Jan. 12, 2026
- BMC Infectious Diseases: “Deposition of respiratory virus pathogens on frequently touched surfaces at airports”
- Airports Council International: “Global air travel forecasted to reach 9.8 billion passengers in 2025, nearing the historic 10 billion milestone”
- Instagram: @cathypedrayes
The post “Belt Bumping” Is on the Rise at Airports—Are You Guilty of This Annoying Travel-Etiquette Mistake? appeared first on Reader's Digest.
from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/9H7Um0l
Comments
Post a Comment