Pack Lighter or Pay Up

With the price of oil, and therefore jet fuel, through the roof and most airlines bleeding money for the past several years, air carriers are cutting costs wherever they can.

First they took away meals on domestic flights and began charging for snacks. Now United Airlines has begun tacking on a $25 surcharge for travelers checking an extra bag over the one free bag allowance. Two to four extra bags will cost ya a cool hundred. If you're a traveler who typically packs everything but the kitchen sink, this isn't good news. But hey, I look at it as just another incentive to begin streamlining your travel packing. Here are seven tips to wean you off the checked-luggage-crack-pipe and convert you to a carry-on-only traveler...

1. Get a Smaller Bag. Parkinson's Law states that work expands according to the amount of time available. So try buying a smaller bag and you'll force yourself to pack lighter.

2. Reduce the Shoes. Shoes are one of the biggest space-eaters in luggage. Planning your travel around only two pairs -- one on your feet and one in your bag -- goes a long way toward keeping you in the coveted carry-on-only status.

3. Use Your Shoes As Containers. If you have to pack shoes in your luggage, remember they're hollow, so you may as well take advantage of the space inside them. Stuff them with socks, underwear, hosiery, or even other shoes.

4. Ladies: Switch To a Smaller Purse for Traveling. The rules say you can carry on ONE suitcase, plus ONE  "personal  item" onto the plane.  A personal  item is defined as a briefcase, laptop case or purse. But here's the thing... you can bring both a briefcase AND a purse provided your purse is small enough to fit inside your briefcase. Holy Technicality, Batman! But it works and it's totally within the rules. So switch to a small purse just big enough to hold the essentials, stuff it inside your briefcase or laptop case and you're good to go!

5. Choose a Color Scheme. Plan to wear pants/skirts in one dark neutral, either black or brown. Then add tops in a light neutral (grey, tan or white). Then, add a few more pieces in shades of a single bright color such as blue, red or  purple.  Throw in some accessories and jewelry and you're all set.

6. Plan Your Outfits in Advance. I can't stress this one enough. If your idea of packing is grabbing a bunch of clothing and throwing it all into your luggage, figuring you'll plan your outfits once you get to your destination, listen up. I guarantee you're wasting precious space in your luggage. If you're on a four-day trip, review your schedule in your head and add up the number of times you estimate you'll need to change clothes. Then, plan what you'll wear for each change. This will keep your travel wardrobe lean and mean, and you won't drag along any extra pieces that you end up not wearing.

7. Get Clear on Toiletries. When you carry-on only, you're obligated to fit your gels and liquids into a quart-size zip-top plastic bag. If you've been checking luggage because you just can't bear the thought of traveling without your giant can of hairspray, you don't have to worry. Nab yourself a ZIPPER (not zip-top) plastic container from this company, this company, or even this one! They hold a lot more than a regular plastic bag because there's no taper at the top.

So there you have it. The Queen of Packing Light has given you pretty much everything you need to stop checking luggage! No surcharges, and no more waiting forever staring at the bags on the giant circling carousel, wondering when you'll get yours. No more worrying whether your luggage will make it to your destination, or if the baggage handlers will be pawing through your panties.

There are a lot of benefits to never checking luggage, but for me, the best one is that once you're converted to being a carry-on only traveler, the minute the pilot turns off that pesky "Fasten Seatbelts" light, you and all your luggage are off the plane and onto your important plans!

Comments

[Suellen]

Monica,

I thought of all your past packing advice the whole time I was packing for a recent 5-day trip to CA. For the first time in my life, I carried one bag (and my backpack with tiny purse inside) onto the plane. I didn't think it could be done because I always overpack. Consider me a Carry-On Convert from here on out!

[Monica Ricci]

Woohoo Suellen!! That's wonderful! I hope you'll always enjoy the liberation of being a Carry-On Convert.
~Monica

[Terry Lessig]

Nicely done, and great advice. Now, tell all those people who saved $100 because they read this to send you $10 for each trip they take - a mere 10% of what they would have spent.

Of course, my check is already in the mail.

[Vicki Voisin]

Great adivce, Monica! Do you carry your Butler Bag when you travel? Do you usually take your lap top, too? I pack my purse in my luggage. The Boarding Pouch I wear around my neck is perfect for identification, boarding passes, money and a credit card...and takes the place of a purse without being considered a carry-on. Everything I need is easy to access.

[Monica Ricci]

Vicki, I don't bring my Butler Bag when I travel unless I am leaving my laptop at home. I bring a full size carry-on rolling suitcase and a rolling laptop bag and a small purse, which I put INSIDE the rolling laptop bag. The net result is TWO bags which I carry on.
~Monica