The idea that packing is more stressful than administrative documents is a major weakness point for many travelers.
For a family, missing a passport for a child or an incorrect visa can completely ruin the trip at the airport, much more than a forgotten sock.
It's not the packing that is the main attack on serenity, but the non-compliance that blocks everything.
When you've paid thousands of dollars for tickets, administrative verification is the first line of defense against disaster.