How To Pack: DON'T BOTHER
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Seasoned air travelers have always known to pack light,
but now it's more important than ever to consider what to take on your next flight.
It wasn't enough when full-size containers of favorite toiletries were banned from the passenger compartment, and TSA decided 3 ounces would be the maximum allowed, in ONE quart-size Zipoc bag per passenger.
I don't know about you, but even using 3-oz sizes, the liquid and gel items I absolutely have to have will not fit into a quart-size Ziploc bag. As the photo shows, that's 8 inches X 7.5 inches. Puhleeeese... The logical solution being to take full-size anyway, in checked baggage.
Well, thanks to rising fuel costs, at least one airline (American) is now charging for checked bags...at $100 per...and other airlines no doubt will follow.
You're still allowed one "personal" bag such as a purse, laptop or tote bag, plus one rollaboard, as long as its total linear measurements (length + width + depth) don't exceed 45 inches. My own trusty rolling traveler is in that range: 22 inches + 13 inches + 9 inches.
Unlike a certain daughter who shall remain nameless (she knows who she is), I'm not the type to haul my entire wardrobe onto a plane for a four-day vacation. (Okay, I confess. Once...in five checked bags...but I was moving, not vacationing. Which of course, is the only time I and my luggage did not arrive at the intended destination on the same plane.)
When I bought "Little Blue" prior to my first trip to England, I thought 'no way' will everything I absolutely must take fit into that.
And it didn't...
The rest was stuffed into a tote that slipped over Blue's handle, and one collapsible nylon shoulder bag that would double as a day bag.
Oh, and I was carrying an enormous striped, supposedly wind-proof brolly... umbrella to you non-Brits...which a rather puzzled airline CSR assured me was not on the Banned Items list. Things such as knitting needles, nail clippers (since un-banned), and manicure scissors weren't allowed, but a near-beach-size brolly with a dozen 3-foot-long wires easily removed for garroting flight attendants and the cockpit crew was okay.
Go figure...
Well, everything I truly needed would've fit into Blue, with plenty of room left for the day bag and the tote. Since then, it's become a game to see how much more empty space might be hiding there.
Travel catalogues like Magellan's exist to sell you anything you might possibly want or need While You Are Away From Home:
Feather-light clothing that doesn't wrinkle no matter how you pack it.
Undies that can be washed in a hotel sink and dry almost instantly.
Socks that wick moisture away from your feet while you trek around the city of your choice, and dry almost instantly when hand-washed.
Undershirts that wick moisture from the rest of your body...which I suspect is also why they dry so fast after hand-washing.
Soap to wash said socks and undies, and a nifty clothesline to hang them on.
Tiny towels that "grow" to absorb as much moisture as that full-size bath sheet you left at home, and DRY ALMOST INSTANTLY. (Do you notice a pattern here?...)
Special Zip-loc bags to compress non-wrinkle clothing to a fraction of its uncompressed size.
Shoes for all occasions that weigh next to nothing but oddly, cost twice as much as any pair you'd normally buy.
Travel alarm clocks.
Travel alarm clocks with built-in radios and world maps, in case you forget where you are and want to dial up a local station to find out.
Collapsible hats and walking sticks.
Cases for jewelry and prescription meds.
Inflatable hangers.
And my favorite...the triple-fold toiletries bag with compartments for full-size containers of shampoo, etc. that you can only pack in checked luggage...with a hook for hanging in the hotel bathroom that has a shower but no towels.
If you buy all the items recommended for "savvy" travelers... besides spending as much (or more) than the cost of your lodging for the entire trip, you certainly will need to check a bag or two.
Not to mention, wearing clothes that only "savvy" travelers buy, you'll be instantly recognizable in any major city on the planet as a T-O-U-R-I-S-T.
Might as well wear a sign saying "Pick my pockets".
If you're naive enough to think professional pickpockets and theives don't know how to separate you from your "theft-proof" wallet or purse, don't leave your hotel room, because they do and they will.
Truly savvy travelers don't draw attention to themselves.
Don't advertise you're a tourist by wearing "touristy" clothes or trying to manuever several large bags to another hotel "only a couple of blocks away" after being told your hotel "lost" your reservation.
If you stick to a rollaboard and a tote, you'll minimize the chances of becoming a target for pickpockets and muggers.
First, only pack a couple of outfits, say two pairs of slacks...one khaki-ish and one dark for dressier occasions...and a few tops (shirts or blouses). The most comfortable but sturdy pair of shoes you own...which for me is Crocs...and one dressy pair to wear with the dark slacks. A pair of silk pajamas or robe, because silk doesn't wrinkle, takes up no space, and adjusts to the climate...i.e. cool in warm temps, warm in chilly climes. Crocs, which weigh nothing, can double as shower shoes if the shower is down the hall. A flashlight in case the power goes out. Labels pre-printed with friends and family's names and addresses for the postcards you'll inevitably buy...don't forget to print a few with your own name and address.
Underwear and socks from home are optional. Unless you're traveling to a third-world country that has no stores, shop local. Assuming you're already wearing one set on the plane, you only need a couple more of each no matter the length of your trip, meaning you'll never have to hand-wash more than 3 pairs of anything. Toss the newbies before going to the airport for the return flight home.
As for new clothes, why bother?
Unless you've been invited to dine with the Queen...not very likely...or have a reservation made months ago for tea at the Ritz...sucker!...who'll know or care if your clothes are new or ten years old, or that you picked them up at a charity shop...thrift store...or weekend street market.
Who knows, you might find something you like well enough to take home in that half-empty rollaboard.
If you absolutely must buy new, wait until you get to your destination and buy locally.
This doesn't mean over-priced boutiques catering to tourists. Find out where locals buy their clothes. This is a wonderful way to see parts of a city that most tourists never do.
As for the full-size toiletries at the beginning of this hub, buy those locally too, and then toss them before leaving for the return flight.
Most American chains now have branches all over the world. Americans visiting England will find familiar brands at any Marks & Sparks...uh, Marks & Spencer...or Boots the Chemist (Brit-speak for drugstore). Of course there are others...ask a local. Europeans visiting America: look for a CVS. If you happen to be a Wal-Mart fan in England, look for ASDA.
If for some reason you can't find your favorite brand, again, be adventurous. Try a local brand.
You're on this trip to experience new cultures, right?
Rollaboard: $50
Nylon collapsible day bag: $30
Over-the-handle tote: $60
Never having to wait at another baggage carousel: PRICELESS!
Like anybody's going to claim the kinky nurse outfit...
- Travellers\' kinky outfits outed online | Travel News | News.com.au
Pictures of a kinky nurse's outfit, dirty socks and sexy undies - all lost in transit - have been posted online by a woman who buys lost luggage, then posts photos of its contents on her website, hoping to reunite the bags with their owners. - Is This Your Luggage?
Luna Laboo's website where the contents of lost luggage can be viewed.
See also:
- The Art of Travel - 30 Days In Your Carry On Bags!
Scott757200's suggestions and ideas for traveling as lite as possible from professional airline pilot. - What dangers should a first-time world traveller be aware of? Staying safe and healthy.
More travel tips, especially for first-time travelers, from LondonGirl.
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Comments
We're so CHAINwashed in America that it never occurs to most to leave home AT home and explore local shops...even a Boots!...and restaurants in other countries. Hence, a McDonald's at the entrance to the Tower of London. Gawdforbid we or our kids should have to step out of the hallowed comfort zone.
Great hub full of ideas. Good idea to buy local and avoid the excess frieight costs.
Oh boy how can you go to macca's and eat that dog food. Havent you any respect for your stomach. Sorry (my opinion only) I cannot believe how people eat that.....st....f.....I had a job where I was supposed to eat it so gave up the job. yuk..
Sorry gone off track, great ideas buying from the thrifty shops. Lots of times you can by new articles there too. Crocs thats what I have to buy before we go travelling again.. Thanks for sharing
Hi Eileen. I should probably stop writing comment when it's past my bedtime! Guess I didn't make it clear that *I* was mortified to find McD's at the entrance to ToL...in one of ITS 1,000 year-old outbuildings no less. Good grief! Silly me for thinking the reason for visiting ancient historical landmarks is to forget the present. Guess not. I'm surprised McD's is on the grounds at all, considering ToL has (three?) restaurants/cafes of its own.
The "we and our kids" in my first comment meant the collective we, not me personally. No way would I let my own kids or grandkids near the McD's at Tol!. But alas, since they're grown and the grandkids are theirs, can't keep 'em from stopping at one here in the States, but would think they know better. Thanks for dropping by!
Oh Jamagenne--good advice. The world is so small and homogenized now that buying local in a language you don't understand, with products that are totally unfamiuliar is pretty much a thing of the past. Why anyone would lug a suitccase full of stuff abroad at $100.per checked bag(ouch!) is beyond me.
So many good ideas here. And your brolly ideas are inspired. I have a nephew who is a Continental pilot-- even they were not able to to have nail clippers that might be weapons -- but -- as he says--"We do have a fire axe in the cockpit."
(new fan)
Glad to see you here, Rochelle, and thanks for becoming a fan. I'll be hopping over to your hubs in a bit. As for even pilots not being allowed to have nail clippers, but CAN have a fire axe, that and the beach brolly are perfect examples of how illogical TSA "security" is. btw, tell your nephew Continental was my airline of choice for years and still would be except they don't service the places I need to be. boo-hoo.
Hi, JamaGenee!
I bought a somewhat expensive piece of luggage to try to keep my dress shirts unwrinkled, and the last time I traveled, put my shirts in it in the most careful way. By the time I got to my destination, the shirts looked like they were strewn across the runway and shoved back into the luggage! I wish someone would teach a class on how to pack dress shirts. Right now, I just try to make sure they have washing machines werever I go, or plan to stay up late (or wake up early) ironing.
Great hub, and thanks for sharing!
If the piece of luggage was an Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder, then airport security may have opened it to inspect the contents and then put the shirts back in any ol' way they could.
It it WASN'T a Pack-It Folder, then that's what you probably need. See here for how to use the Pack-It to keep dress shirts (relatively) wrinkle-free:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/packing-
Also see the reviews for the Pack-It Folder here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007FB59?ie=UTF
Note the second reviewer says they've been using the same one for years and it's well-worth the initial price.
Do you check the bag the shirts are in? If so, you might pack just one dress shirt in your carry-on (or roll-aboard) to have for the first morning at your destination, and shower-steam the rest as needed. Just a thought.
Also, Febreez makes a great spray-on de-wrinkler that a friend uses regularly. Hang the garment, spray entire garment VERY lightly with the de-wrinkler, wait a few minutes and voila!...no wrinkles. In a pinch, I got the same result using regular Febreez, but it was on dark slacks and dark jacket, not a white or light-colored shirt, so can't say if it'd work as well. Just be sure the container is no more than 3 ounces!
Great tips... I always hear of little toiletries being confiscated at airports, and it sounds like something I don't even want to bother with.
Precisely, glassvisage! Not packing toiletries at all eliminates having to worry if any or all will be confiscated, in which case you'd have to buy replacements at your destination anyway. Thanks for stopping by!
Great hub for parents who are traveling this summer. Super tips for we ill-informed travelers.
Excellent article for travelers...especially now that summer is approaching for the parents with kids out of school.
I am terrible at packing for trips, (LOL) so this hub is especially useful for me. Thanks for these very good tips. The part about "savvy travelers" is hilarious. Thank you, JamaGenee!
Cailin and terence, glad you found this helpful as well as entertaining! I used to buy new clothes and such FOR a trip...half of which ended up not being worn at all...then not have money to buy the clothes and such I saw ON the trip. So in a way, airlines charging for baggage and TSA tightening the rules have done us "problem packers" a huge favor. The one thing we often forget to pack is *common sense*!
I love your line of packing the common sense LOL oh my, that's me, I always take too much. I've gotten better, but normally don't fly places, so the baggage ends up being only slightly less of a problem.
Again, I'm amazed at the fullness of your information. You know this stuff! I see a travel guide being published? Lists of Europe, pack this; US leave this at home...it could work!
Nice to see you here, Marisue! We're ALL guilty of taking too much! Unless we travel often, common sense somehow goes out the window when we start packing! Now that you mention it, the tips in this hub tend to go by the wayside if I'm traveling by car. I'll have to work on that!
Thanks for the encouragement about travel guides. Alas, my expertise is limited to the UK and roughly half the U.S., but "Cultural Oddities State-by-State" has possibilities. =)
Great hub. We're going to try to get away this winter (hopefully) and I don't want to end up carrying an entire closet for the both of us for 4 days in the sun. Thanks for the tips.
rockinjoe, a rollaboard for each of you should be *more* than sufficient for a 4 day trip! How much clothing does one need to lie around in the sun anyway? A few days before departure, lay everything out *both* of you *think* you'll need, then put half back, then put half of *that* back, and pack the rest. Even then, you'll probably take more than you need! Have a great trip!
You see, JamaGenee, I use those bags discussed in your other hub for my packing. That and ALOT of Duct Tape.
I like to think of myself as "original". That is until I find out the rest of the redneck clan has booked my same flight for the convention. Oh well. Better to travel in packs.
PM, I used to work with a lady who didn't have to work thanks to be born a "trust fund baby". So we used to crack up when she'd show up at the airport with the absolute ugliest, most gawdawful-ratty luggage. Her rationale? Thieves and untrustworthy luggage handlers wouldn't bother breaking into it because they'd assume there was nothing inside worth stealing! Also, at the other end of the flight, it was easy to spot on the baggage carousel!
But the bag-and-duct-tape thing *would* be useless on a flight with the redneck clan. I do give 'em credit, tho, for trying to move up in the world by calling the purpose of the trip a "convention" instead of *family reunion*. LOL!
WHO is giving you all of this inside information? Or are you one of us? :-)))))
My information is coming from a kid in a hot pink hat who looks amazingly like your avatar. If you know her, you should let her parents know (and the rest of the neighbors) that she's only *pretending* that she can't talk. So be careful what you say around her from now on. (Pssst...she CAN be bribed with a KitKat...two if ya want the really good dirt...but you didn't hear that from me, okay?) ;D
If she has anything on you, I'll want to buy stock in Kit Kat.
Really, JamaGenee, I'm not that funny. You just give me GREAT material!
I'm not normally all that funny either. Ditto on the GREAT material!
Lovely hub - couldn't agree more! I once spent nearly 3 months in Mongolia with 2 pairs of trousers, 3 tops, 3 sets of underwear and a jumper, but I was heartily sick of them by the end, couldn't wait to wear something else!Marks and Sparks is a really great shop, but it sells its own stuff, not other brands. But it's fantastic, their underwear is without par.
Nice to see you here, LondonGirl! Wearing the same 2 pair of trousers, 3 tops, etc for almost 3 months would get tedious! I'm guessing there wasn't a M&S in Mongolia, but couldn't you buy other clothing while you were there? Yes, M&S only sells its own stuff, but I do love their knickers!
there is nothing in Mongolia! That was the reason we took so few clothes, because we had to take absolutely everything with us, including a stove, cooking equipment, tent, all the rest of it.
I rather suspected that was the case. Well, not the livng in a tent part. Were you on a dig?
Hey JamaGenee! On a trip, so my internet usage is limited. Need some humor, so I'm headed to find some of your comments or a new hub! Have a great evening!
No, we were taking photos for guidebooks and various other assorted purposes. So we had 2 tripods, 4 cameras, extra lenses, and a load of film, as well as living equipment.
LondonGirl, other than the same-clothes part and living out of a tent, that *sounds* like an interesting trip. But I'm sure a lot of it was tedious - hauling the equipment and supplies from place to place, waiting for Mother Nature to provide the right conditions for a "perfect" shot, etc. But still An Adventure! Not many non-Mongolians can say they've been there!
Proud Mom, I'll email you ASAP!
It was an absolutely wonderful journey. However, after that long camping, washing in rivers, digging to go to the loo, etc, it was also great to come home!
LG, you have my admiration (and sympathies) for hanging in there through all the camping out, washing in rivers, etc. The longest I ever camped out was 3 days - where we didn't have to dig a hole to go to the loo! - and from that I know I could never have been a Pioneer Woman!
I tried Martha Stewart's tips on packing once but the problem was, I didn't have most of the things she recommended should be brought along when traveling! So I ended up pulling my hair for not bringing an extra bag for wet clothes (the destination was a day at the beach). But that did not make me love her less! Thanks for these realistic and practical tips - specially about buying locally - that somehow lessens the load! :D
Hi Cris, nice to see you. Any waterproof bag will do for wet clothes - I have a nylon "day bag" that fits into its own tiny bag and takes up no space in my rollaboard, but a couple of kitchen-size trash bags, one inside the other (preferably the kind with ties), works well too. In a pinch, several of the dreaded plastic shopping bags (but you didn't hear that from me). ;)
I once enlisted the help of an ex-Navy friend to pack for a trip. He did fine until we got to the skirts and heels I *had* to take (was going to a wedding)! He had no clue what to do with them!
Hey JamaGenee! I'm finally back. It's been a hectic week and a half, and I have alot of catching up to do. Hopefully, within the week, I'll be caught up and back on schedule. I'll email in a bit! Missed your hubs, and looking forward to some good laughs!
Hey, Proud Mom! Glad to hear you're back home in one piece!
I''m waiting for the dryer to buzz, so I thought I'd check out what you've been up to. Can't wait to read Clydene's recipes. :-)
Hey I should have read yours before I wrote mine! Love the "priceless" bit...great minds think alike...LOL
Thanks, Scott, and welcome to HubPages! When it comes to packing light, great minds DO think alike! Your hub chock full of tips for travelers too!
Whenever I travel I tend to overpack and then still wear the same two items over and over anyway. I really like the tip about buying extra undies locally, and one of my great pleasures when traveling is to buy toiletries wherever I go. I love Boots! Thanks for all the great travel tips!
You're most welcome, Guru! As for wearing the same two items over and over, it's funny that you know this and take everything else anyway! So here's another tip for you - on your next trip, write down what you actually wear (and any items you brought that you use), then leave this list in your bag for when you open it to pack for the following trip. A memory jogger that'll perhaps end the overpacking for good!
that's a very useful idea.
When I'm packing, I tend to make a list of what I've already assembled, want to get, etc. My other half thinks that's funny (-:
I ALWAYS take too much stuff when I ttravel - even when I have thought that I had cut it down to the bare minimum.
I always take books and magazines that I never read, clothing that I never wear, and essential stuff that I never use. (Although at least SOME of the electronic cables, adapters, plugs, etc I take turn out to be essential geek travelware)
So thanks for this hub. I'll print it out and put in in my suitcase.
Never thought of the cheap undies/socks thing. Thanks again JamaGenee.
Eric G.
LG, making a list of what you've already assembled, etc makes perfect sense to me. If you update it as you pack, then put *that* list with your travel documents, you'll have an accurate inventory of the bag's contents if gawdforbid it's lost or stolen.
Hi Eric! Isn't it funny what we consider "essential" before we leave home, but never use on the trip?? I can think of tons of stuff I've hauled to various destinations that only took up space I could've used for souvenirs and such! On the other hand, adapters, plugs, etc *are* essential, because when ya need it ya need it.
JamaGenee.
I like your new enigmatic avatar :-)
Why thanks, Eric! Always good to shuffle things up a bit now and again.
Wonderful advice and nicely written hub Jama. This is a keeper for anyone who travels.
You're right about those pickpockets. I've only traveled out of the country once and that was to France in the mid 80's. Regardless of my attempts to NOT look like a tourist (no camera, low-key clothes, keep mouth shut!), and I still got my purse grabbed by a thief. Fortunately, a very nice Egyptian man saw it and grabbed my purse back from the bandit then shoved him away and handed my purse back to me. I've always depended upon the kindness of strangers. (I love Streetcar Named Desire.) :D
Great job!
the only thing it's good to take and not use is your first aid kit (-:
Thanks, Pam! Great to hear you knew not to look like a tourist, but glad the purse-snatching had a good outcome!
LG, good point! ;D I always keep a few Band-Aids tucked into a pocket of my purse. Anything that requires more than that would mean a trip to the ER, so I don't bother packing a first-aid kit on trips Just one more thing for TSA to quibble about and probably confiscate!
When travelling to western countries with a proper health system (and with travel health insurance!) we tend to just take plasters, aspirin, antisceptic cream, that type of thing.
When going to Mongolia and India, we took quite a lot more, incl. sterile needles, antibiotics, all the rest of it.
Just found this! I travel a lot, and your advice is spot on. I tend to wear a lot on the plane, partly to avoid packing it. Also because the temperature can vary a lot and I reckon I can always take off a layer or two.
I also wear my heaviest shoes, and take them off on the plane. I have a pair of disposable slippers in my carry on. Although there have been some long haul flights when I wished I had wellies (rubber boots) for trips to the lav (yuck).
Generally, as my travelling has increased, the volume of my luggage has decreased.
2patricias, great advice about wearing lots of clothes and your heaviest shoes on the plane! Personally, I don't - for no particular reason, now that I think about it, just never do. Guess I'll change that next time! Thanks!
Great hub. Practical ,no nonense language.I like that.I learned the hard way although I did get some things right, like I was leaving a southern hemisphere summer to enter the northen hemisphere, and while the stores were brimming with summer fashion , I ended up going to a thrift store ,wow I bought 6 garments for under $10, and left 4 of them behind when I returned home, I needed the room for all the extra tidbits Id bought from Walmart lol..( NZ doesnt have one)...how sad is that !...
Security ,boy they must go home most nights pretty stresed and shake there heads at government too huh. My silly ( funny now) story is being held up and further searched after security found two pencils in my handbag ( actually they werent concealed) but they made me feel they had been..grrr..anyway I said sure ok keep them ,they were going to be for my kids had name of zoo splashed all over them ,you know the kind, no biggy ( just wanted to be done) then the older guy gave me a wink and slipped them in my bag...yea whatever lol.........anyway here I am ,Ive boarded my flight ,a national flight and 20 mins into the flight the lady beside me pulls out her knitting and proceeds to click clack away on STEEL freaking needles.....I just smiled and said nice seater, hahahaha
Eagle, isn't that a riot that steel knitting needles are OK, but nail clippers aren't (or weren't). Same for the big umbrella I took onboard. All those wires that make it an umbrella weren't potential weapons? Hello. ;D
oops typo back there 'sweater' I meant to type (dyslexic keyboard)
nother story...flew International from NZ via Tahiti to LAX, transfered over to Southwest onto National Flight who took out hubbys aeorsol shaving cream ( his bad) and asked about our movements......geeze louise!!.....you have our data in front of your eyes! ..Im sorry the other airlines let it through ,and Im sorry they are International Airports ,Im just sorry ,sorry ,sorry lmao...
Heres the thing ,I think Customs have some damn good perks...
Eagle, I didn't notice the typo! But think you're right about Customs!
Marisa Wright says:
2 years ago
Buy local - good tip! I never take toiletries or makeup if I'm going to Europe. It gives me a great excuse to spend hours trawling through the local stores (in the UK, it's Boots) and finding all kinds of exotic creams and potions we don't get in Oz.
I used to then haul it all back to Australia with me, but I can't do that now, so I have to be satisfied with smaller sizes these days - but it's still fun!