For many travelers, checking luggage is non-negotiable. Checking a bag can make a trip easier in some ways: It frees up your hands, and rather than lugging your belongings in and out of the plane yourself, it just magically appears at your final destination. Other travelers, however, consider checking luggage a travel nightmare , since it means they’ll have no control over what happens to the checked bag once it’s out of sight. But handing your luggage off doesn’t have to feel like a gamble—and we spoke to airport baggage handlers to get their expert tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

Many of the common mistakes they share are ones you’re probably making—but don’t worry, they’re also easy to fix. Below, luggage handlers and ramp agents reveal how you should properly travel with checked luggage.…