How to Pack for a Trip
I have been home a grand total of about two non-consecutive weeks so far this year. The rest of my time has been spent in airports, rental cars, hotels, and coffee shops with free wireless internet. I could pay off the national debt with frequent flier miles. All this is to say that I know a thing or two about how to pack for a trip. If you're not up to date with the latest airline luggage requirements, you might not have a clue how to pack for your next getaway, and the last thing you want is to start your vacation off all stressed out. Even if you've carefully studied all the TSA guidelines, maybe you could still use some pointers on how to pack your luggage from someone who's done it a thousand times before.
Award Poll
You'd cry if you forgot to pack this on your vacation
- Phone
- Laptop
- Electric Toothbrush
- Portable DVD Player
- Flat-Iron
- Camera
The most important thing is a good, large suitcase. A lot of luggage is really expensive, but when you think how much you really use it, it seems silly to spend a fortune on suitcases. I use mine all the time, and I'm perfectly happy with my less expensive gear. I really love Samsonite luggage, because it's good quality, durable luggage at middle-of-the road prices. The style of luggage is a matter of personal taste; the only requirements are wheels and an extending handle.The bulk of your luggage will probably be clothes, and I've found the secret of how to pack clothes to maximize space and minimize wrinkles. Instead of folding your pants and shirts, roll them. When you know how to pack to best maximize space, you can fit everything into one large checked bag and avoid the airline fees for a second piece of luggage -- almost all major airlines will charge you at least $25 for your second checked bag, so it's best to pack everything you need in one large bag, or for shorter trips, in just a carry on to avoid luggage fees altogether.
If you're taking any liquids such as shampoo or lotion, those will have to go in your checked bag, because security rules only allow you to bring small amounts of liquid in your carry on luggage. I've found it's best not to pack these items at all. Hotels everywhere provide basic toiletries, and it's not worth the risk of having goo spill all over the rest of your things when your bags get tossed around the plane. If you do need to carry on any liquids, be sure you know how to pack them so that they're legal. Put all your liquids in 3-ounce or smaller bottles, or the TSA agents will make you get rid of them before you pass through security.
It's also important that you know how to pack your carry on luggage to avoid getting smacked with more airline fees. Most airlines have decreased the size they'll allow for carry on luggage, so don't try to bring a behemoth bag on the plane, or they'll make you check it at the gate and charge you an arm and a leg for it. I prefer just to pack a light backpack for my carry on. My laptop fits in there nicely as well as a few books and snacks for the plane.The most important thing you need to know about how to pack for your trip is not to stress out about it! You will forget something. We all do it. But remember that you don't need to take your entire home with you when you go away for one or two weeks, and they will have grocery stores wherever you end up, so if you forgot something essential, you can get a replacement when you arrive at your destination.
The best advice I can give for how to pack for any trip is to pack light and don't stress about it. I'll never understand people who spend a whole evening packing their suitcase. If you can't do it in half an hour or less, you don't know how to pack. It's just not that complicated.
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SHARON said 6-01-2009 @3:22PM
WE HAVE NOT BEEN ON AN AIRPLANCE SINCE BEFORE ALL OF THIS HEIGHTENED SECURITY. ARE YOU ALLOWED A CARRY ON AS WELL AS A LAPTOP BAG - OR - IS IT BEST TO JUST PACK A FEW THINGS IN A LARGER LAPTOP BAG?
replyWHAT ABOUT A PURSE? ARE YOU ALLOWED A CARRYON BAG AND A PURSE? WHAT ABOUT MAKEUP? CAN YOU LEAVE MAKEUP IN THAT PURSE OR PUT IT INTO THE CHECKED BAG?
THIS IS ALL SO CONFUSING!
THANKS.
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Ashley said 6-03-2009 @6:37PM
OK, I actually just flew for the first time last week (since 9/11). I found it to not be that horrible, everyone was very helpful. Research requirements & restrictions before you leave!
Here is the Transportation Security Administration's website url: http://www.tsa.gov/
They will tell you everything you need to know.
I believe you can bring a separate laptop bag because I saw others putting theirs' on a separate converyor belt. I'm not sure about the purse carry-on, but I think you can. If possible, wear flip flops so they're easy to slip on and off during security. If your flight is one way, like mine was, you will be chosen for additional security and pat down, but it wasn't too terrible.
The only thing you have to worry about carrying with you are liquids. You can't bring any food/drink into your carryon. Your liquids need to be in 3 ounce bottle and you need to put them in a clear plastic bag. Makeup should be fine, I had my compact and lip gloss and no one stopped me. Foundation should be ok, I'd still put in a baggie.
Good Luck and Don't Worry. I was very nervous too. Not about my plane going down but just making it to the terminal. Oh, don't pack anything with an aerosol thing because even if it's in your checked bag, the airline will dismantle it. And, your locks now have to be TSA approved (a little symbol will be on the package). However, nothing in your suitcase can be locked!
You'll be fine, I overslept and only got to the airport an hour before my flight---it went very well.
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Mega Ward said 7-17-2009 @12:43PM
Since the airlines are getting very strict about luggage overweight and my suitcase alone weighs almost 17 lbs, should I now pack in a large cardboard box and tie with a rope. This will eliminate many prevcious pounds that I can use for the items I want to take with me. The box weighs practically nothing
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Christina said 6-14-2009 @2:24PM
This article wasn't as helpful as I'd expected. It really isn't as bad as some people make it sound. Just be smart and don't pack the things you're not supposed to. You are allowed to have a purse or a babybag in addition to a carry on, but I'm not sure about the seperate laptop bag and a carryon. In the article it states using a backpack and that's what I always do and it works well. I just put a little clutch in my backpack to act as a purse. The rolling on the shirts and pants is also a great idea, and I would never wear flip flops in an airport. That's gross. Wear flats or some form of slip on shoes, something that doesn't tie.Try to wear your bulkiest shoes you're bringing on the plane. However, that generally ends up being your tennis shoes/sneakers. The comment about the shampoo is rediculous. Even if you use the hotel provided things, most females need other hair products and lotions and toothpaste. And to prevent them spilling on your clothes, put them in a plastic baggie. Duh. And they do not need to be 3ounces if you're checking them through.
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Jenny said 6-24-2009 @6:48AM
wear the flip flop is not gross. Is the easiest way. why would you think is gross? maybe your feet don't look that good.
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Sarah said 7-17-2009 @9:28AM
So right about not wearing flip flops in the airport. And to jenny, it has nothing at all to do with appearance. They make you take off your shoes. Who wants to walk barefoot in a gross airport where thousands of people do the same thing? That is gross and quite frankly pretty unhealthy. Wear clogs or even (god forbid) Crocs and that way you can wear socks with them so your bare feet aren't touching the ground. Unless, of course, you're one of those people who wears socks with sandals and then by all means, go for it...
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Anonymous said 6-24-2009 @9:29AM
I've been on a million planes, a makeup isn't a problem. also, i brought my laptop in a case and my luggage separately, and it was fine. they just had to take my laptop out of the case for security purposes. security is not that bad, and it's actually a good thing, because who wants someone with a gun that they plan to use on your airplane?
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Shirley said 7-21-2009 @8:51PM
I would like to know how to clean luggage. I just was on a
replytrip to Omaha, Ne. and my Red Luggage has gotten very dirty.
It is not that old and I would like to clean it. Thank You
for any help. SR