I will soon be going to Kenya for 18 days. I will have a checked bag but what exactly can I take on the plane with me? (first time out of the country) I know I can have a carry-on that can be stowed BUT can I have a personal bag for miscellaneous items - snacks, camera, a book, etc.? If so, what type and what size am I looking at? Is a day pack all right? I am flying United and then Swiss Air.

One carry on bag which you stow - and keep your camera in that. Taking out what you need on the flight before stowing it is a good idea if you are not in an aisle seat. The airlines and friends can answer these questions as well. You're not flying within Kenya I take it? That's a different story.

First time out of the country and you're going to Kenya for 18 days? Wow! Great!

Will be flying from U.S. to Zurich and on to Nairobi. While in Kenya it will all be by 'car'.

hi,done this many times now.you can take two bags with you on board. 1 for over head, 1 for under the seat.
for me even a 3wk safari:
a gym size bag for over head
i have a soft bag, about 10"X10"x5" high.
for under the seat-thats it! nothing else.
cheers, d

hi, to give you an idea of my smaller bag. go to the last photo click on it to expand it.my smaller bag is sitting on the bed.been using that bag since 1999.
hope it helps.
thx,d
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1e53c/106a/b/

Have you checked the carry on policies at www.ual.com and www.swiss.com?

HI!!! Your carry-on questions already answered.........

Just want to wish you a great trip.....first time out of the country and Africa as a destination!!! Awesome!!! Great choice........you will be hooked

Hari

The less incumbered you are when you board the plane the better, IMO. Often you get to the airport passing through security quickly leaving you on the other side with a mountain of bags. Why not check in as much as you can and save the fragile and valuables for one piece of hand luggage?

Whats the point of flying fot 18 hours with bags at your feet etc?

From your name, I figure you'll be taking reading materials. Sometimes I like to buy 2nd hand or rummage sale books that I can leave on the plane or leave behind along the way, to lighten my load as I travel.

I take the opposite approach to mkhonzo and carry on everything I can. That's because I seem to be prone to lost luggage. For the certainty of having my stuff arrive with me, I am willing to undergo some inconvience of lugging it along. That includes stuffing the pockets of a safari vest and wearing two pairs of trousers. I always get so cold on those overnight flights that the extra layers are welcome anyway.

I'd add earplugs to your carry-on necessities.

Care to share your itinerary? 18 days is enviable!

Lynn,
Two pairs of pants?!? I took a very mkhonzo approach last time, and am thinking I'd like to carry on more just in case this time. Care to share what else you consider absolutely necessary?

readsalot, have a great trip! Even though you love to read, do try to get as much sleep as you can on the plane.

i feel it is better take as little as possible. 2 bags on board no problem at all. they are always with you. too many horror stories about bags ending up somewhere. besides-with your bags with you-no waiting- you go go go.
not only is my smaller bag on the floor-my boots come off too.no biggie at all.i'm easy like that.
there really should be no issiues handling a gym bag and a smaller bag.thats it!no need for any more than that.
thx,d

Yes, two pairs of pants. Plus a couple of layers on top.

What else is absolutely necessary is just about everything I pack so I try to bring it all on board with me. My packing philosophy for trips like Africa is if it is not essential, then don't bring it in the first place.

I do tend to get cold and I always travel during the African winter so I would hate to not have my jacket or fleece for the chilly a.m. and p.m.

I will on occasion check a small pack with additional reading material and a few gifts.

If I am just traveling to another city for a visit, I am not as concerned with lost luggage as I am when going on "an adventure" where your gear is so crucial and there is no time to re-outfit upon arrival if the bag does not show up.

Odds are everything will arrive just fine, but my odds are about 5% of all trips (not individual flights, but whole trips) result in my checked luggage being delayed. Usually it is on the way home so no big deal.

I have read that one of the signs that airport security looks for is people with excess, bulging clothing. I'm surprised I have not be stopped or searched more often. I know I am probably asking for a cavity search, but I can't help myself!

I will be flying Swiss Air and they say no extas, when asked if I could have a small piece to carry camera, etc. to put under the seat they said "no". Not quite fair since women have purses.

The extra you are being denied would be in addition to your carry-on I presume.

I have an around-the-waist fanny pack also known as a bum pack that I carry my camera gear in. If you wear that, then it is not so much a carry-on as an accessory. Sometimes I'll shift the bag/pack part to the back, behind me and my jacket covers it up.

I have also looped the strap from a small bag through the handle of larger one so they are a "unit." I have a separate strap that sometimes I use to bind two bags together so that they are one unit. Of course the total dimensions must not exceed what is allowed.

Good luck with your packing, carry-on, and eventually the trip itself.