Candice LandauLast Updated on October 14, 2024 by Candice Landau
Belt bags used to be the height of uncool. In fact, until recently in the U.S., they were called fanny packs—a term my generation wouldn’t dare to use today. Growing up in South Africa, I’d never have called it a fanny pack anyway as a “British fanny” is not quite the same as an American fanny. We’d have called them Bum Bags. Yes, charming. Thankfully, the next generation of fashionistas decided it was time for a rebrand and big-name fashion brands, as well as athleisure companies brought the item back, repackaged it as cool and gave it a somewhat more tasteful moniker: belt bag or waist bag.
In fact, you don’t even need to be a frequent flier to own a belt bag, just a hiker or a dog owner, or in my case, a hobby microscopist.
The thing is…although the belt bag is back, the airlines, in their fuddy-duddyness, have not decided to get with the times and update the rules to allow for things that are cool. Nope, they’d rather continue to price gouge us. My latest one relates to space. You’ll see what I mean next time you get on a United Airlines flight, though others may be doing it too. Where previously safety vests were packaged flat under seats leaving you plenty of space for a personal item, now, United has repackaged their under-seat safety vests into hulking plastic containers that no longer allow for your RULE-ABIDING-SIZED personal item to fit below the seat. Thus, I feel few qualms about helping you get your extra stuff on the plane. Here are the 7 techniques you can try to help you take 3 separate items next time you fly: a personal item, a carry-on and a belt bag.
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1. The large coat
You don’t need a multi-pocket SCOTTeVEST to pull this one off, just a nice bulky jacket. Strap the belt bag around your waist, don your jacket and make sure the bag is out of sight. It helps to tuck the waist strap under your shirt so it’s out of sight and to match the belt bag to whatever you’re wearing. In my case, I tend to wear a lot of black so I own a black belt bag. Make’s the disguise infinitely easier.
Of course, for this technique to work you probably need to be traveling with a rain jacket, pea coat, or other equally large jacket. This isn’t usually an issue for me as I get cold on planes and tend to take all my jackets with me on the plane.
2. The jacket wrap (hide on wheelie suitcase covered in jackets)
This 0% failure technique is an easy solution to hiding your bag. I’ve yet to be called on it. For this one to work, you’ll need a wheelie suitcase with a traditional handle (not the new ones with one pole) and ideally two jackets, though I’m sure you could get one to work too. Here’s the method:
- Take your belt bag off and tighten up the strap.
- Slip the strap over the handle and slide it all the way down until the belt bag is resting on your suitcase.
- Tuck the dangling straps in so they don’t flop around.
- Now, take your first jacket and thread it through the straps, wrapping it around like you’re braiding bread.
- Once you’ve done that, take the second jacket, and do the same thing over the first, braiding it. This will ensure it looks like all you’re hiding is another jacket.
- Your belt bag should now be hidden.
A word of advice: Do this while sitting at another gate, or far away from the people checking you in at your gate so they don’t see it.
3. The baby bundle (bundle of jackets)
Airplanes never get on you for the number of jackets you bring so make the most of them. The baby bundle technique is by far the fastest way to hide a belt bag if you don’t have a bulky jacket to do the work for you.
Simply take off your belt bag, cinch it up and make sure there are no dangling straps then begin wrapping your jackets around it. Just make sure that when you carry it through the gate you have your passport out in case they ask for it, and that it looks like a casual bundle rather than you trying to get away with the crime of a belt bag.
4. In plain sight
Okay, I’m not going to lie: I haven’t tried this technique. But, it’s one TikTokkers seem to like. It looks a little too obvious to me IMO but if enough people are doing it, it must be fine, right? For this to work you’ll need a large purse you can slip over the handle of your carry-on wheelie bag.
Here’s how it works:
- Place your large bag/purse over the handle of your carry-on wheelie bag.
- Take of your belt bag.
- Strap your belt bag around your purse and the handle.
And that’s it. Apparently it’s hidden in plain sight. You can see why I’m skeptical right? I mean surely an airline employee knows what a belt bag looks like strapped around a purse? Perhaps it’s less obvious if your purse and belt bag are made of the same material. I’ll have to try this next time I feel like a test.
In my humble opinion, however, you’d be better off disguising it by purchasing one of those straps that allows you to dangle things off your suitcase and once again, hiding it under a jacket.
5. The cover all (if your personal item is a backpack)
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone use this technique and I’m also frankly not sure if it would work or if it would make people more suspicious. The technique is simple, however. Strap your belt bag on top of your backpack and put a waterproof backpack rain cover over the both of them. Done.
In theory it should work because a lot of people are paranoid about security of their luggage at airports but in reality I’m not quite sure. Would love to know if anyone’s done this. You could of course make it look a little more friendly by sticking on a few patches or fun pins.
6. The post-security purchase bag
The technique is simple. Once you’re through security, visit a news stand or small store, purchase something (even if just gum) and ask for a bag. Airlines will recognize these bags as purchased after security—especially if from a commonly known place like a Hudson news stand—and usually allow you through without any hassle. Simply stuff your belt bag inside it and you’re done! You can always keep the bag so you don’t have to make future purchases. I’ve definitely done this before and haven’t had an issue.
7. The neck pillow not pillow
Any frequent flyer will recognize a Cabeau neck pillow. They are after all the ones airport stores sell most often. What most people don’t know, however, is that you can purchase one of the bags these pillows usually get compressed/stuffed into on Amazon (sans pillow) for about $11. The bags are pretty sizeable too and could easily fit a belt bag.
I always leave my neck pillow dangling on the outside of my backpack and I have never once been asked to stash it. The belt bag in plain sight, however? Yes, I’ve been asked to put it away.
What to do with the neck pillow then you ask? Either wear it around your neck, put it around your bag (they don’t usually care about neck pillows), or buy one of the inflatable neck pillows or IMO incredibly uncomfortable (and hot) Trtl neck wraps.
Any techniques to add?
While I’m very creative when it comes to thinking around problems, I too miss things. If I’ve missed a technique you think should be added, please add it to the comments and I’ll update the post and give you all the kudos! 🙂
