With summer travel chaos expected, many industry insiders are warning that it is risky to travel ... [+] with anything more than a small backpack

The past week might have been the first time that many people traveled in a very long time. But in many places across the U.S., the U.K. and Europe, the large numbers of people undertaking so-called 'revenge travel' turned many journeys into disasters.

Due to the high turnout and staff shortages, many airports had meltdowns—something Axios called "a painful preview for summer":

The Points Guy CEO Brian Kelly told Axios that people should avoid tight layovers and obviously book direct flights wherever possible—there is less room for error, either for losing bags or making connections when late.

And it pays to use technology as much as possible to speed up the travel process, such as enrolling in facial recognition systems to clear security faster.

The Telegraph also reported on one key piece of advice to avoid many of the problems from the holiday week—pack lightly and don't check luggage into the hold.

Like many industries in the tourist sector, baggage-handling contractors are also suffering from staff shortages, as many workers left the industry during the pandemic.

Andy Prendergast, national secretary of the U.K.'s GMB trade union said “it is one less thing to worry about. If people can check in online and do not take bags, that limits the disruption. It’s not a magic bullet but it does reduce the chance of there being problems.”