Just trying to figure out my situation bringing all these tour books...

For Paris 7 week trip....
I will have a small tote bag which will go under seat...a purse. cross my shoulders.. I can bring all the tour books and just shove them in our car when we get to CDG but first have to get them across the ocean.

I hate to take up space in my 22 inch suitcase...and the tote will probably be full.

Can I walk on with a shopping bag and just stow it up top? By shopping bag, I mean a plastic one from a dept. store..a throwaway kind.or can you think of something else? Yes I know, I am thinking way ahead..

Thanks..

Is the question really about the shopping bag or about the fact you'll have 3 items (and they usually only allow 2)? Either way there shouldn't be a problem..the fact that it's a plastic shopping bag has no consequence on whether it'll be allowed.

If they get picky that you're carrying on 3 items, then just throw your purse into the shopping bag until you get on the plane.

Yes.

In fact, half the people on the plane will probably have bags full of purchases from duty free shops.

I carry all of my touring information in my Pocket PC, which is about the size of a PDA like a Palm Pilot. It also contains reading material, music, movies, games, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Welcome to the 21st Century. You don't have to lug dead trees around any more.

I usually board with my 22" rolling suitcase, my daybag and a shopping bag. Never had a problem. Many people will have shopping bags from duty free shopping as Robespierre stated.

I remember reading a thread a while ago where someone was saying that she was denied boarding with the shopping bag as a carry on. (she had to agree to have it put with baggage) My guess is most of the time it's ok but not if they want to be sticklers about it.

Consider getting a large enough shopping bag that your tote will fit in there too. When you're at the check-in desk, make sure your tote is in the shopping bag. You can take it out later.

Or is it possible your husband could carry one of the items?

When we left Paris last fall, they would not let us carry on a 21" case and a small backpack. We had to check the case. (each of us).

I'm not sure I understand how much baggage you have, but if you are checking the 22" suitcase, why not just have a small tote with those books in it and check them also? They aren't breakable or anything, so a small softside duffle would do.

I think the shopping bag thing will work if it's large enough and has your purse in it also, as suggested. That's often what I do. However, you are going to have to lug those books around with you on the trip, it sounds like, so why not have something a little more substantial than a thin plastic bag?

If you are planning on taking all of this aboard, a 22" suitcase (which may really be stuff and larger than the size it is unpacked, plus tote plus purse plus large shopping bag -- you may be drawing attention to yourself with all of that stuff and must be prepared that they may take some away.

I would rather be in control of stuff myself and what is checked and what it is in than doing these things. Why not take a larger tote? Unless by small tote you mean a big enough one that it almost fills the underseat space, as is. If they take something away from you, and I believe all airline's rules would allow that -- you should have something better to ensure your items are not lost or messed up. At least put the books in a softsided zip bag that you then put in the shopping bag if you think the shopping bag is protection from getting taken by the airline.

It's time to get friendly with the photocopier. On the copier at work, I can reduce a page (8 1/2 x 11&quot to 1/4 the size and put 4 to a page. Copy on front and back and you've reduced a lot your weight/volume.

Save yourself and just xerox the pages that you want to read. It really is alot easier/less obvious overseas to pull out of your purse and less stress on your body with hauling them.When I travel for vacations overseas I do the following: go to the library and purchase books at the bookstore and then go home and "cross reference" all things that I am interested in. I have a hard journal type book that I write important things that I need to remind myself of but the rest is xeroxed. The nice part about that is that when you get home you have all the important information should you ever want to go back in a file. Good luck!

Are you trying to carry-on everything (not check anything?): a purse, a tote bag, plus a 22" suitcase?

Depends on your carrier, but most airlines restrict to 2 carry-on pieces only, and some also have weight limits as well.

The problem is not the shopping bag (I've done it often) it's having 3 items.

Since this has been an ongoing concern for you (from your previous posts... taking lots of regular books to read, plus wanting to carry guidebooks) I would highly recommend simply deciding right now to check your luggage! Take a second bag that piggy-backs onto your 22" one (so both will roll together once you get them back out of baggage claim). Check them both and only carry on the plane what you need for the flight.

I truly believe you'd thank me later... hauling too much stuff around airports, on and off planes, in and out of the overhead bins, is a big pain.

Depending on the airline, how full the flight is and if the desk attendant had a fight with her boyfriend the night before they can easily enforce the one carry-on rule. (You are allowed ONE carry-on and a personal item.)

So you need to be able to put something (hopefully your purse) inside one of the others - and also hope they qualify the second item as a "personal Item" - which is supposed to be a purse, camera or computer bag - not another huge backpack.

(And yes - I have had this happen to me - I was able to stuff things inside other things - and I have seen it happen to others who couldn;t - and ended up having to gatecheck their big carry-on).

I agree that it depends alot on the gate keeper. I would suggest getting a light nylon duffle bag to put your books in, place this in the plastic bag and if they won't allow you to carry it on you can pull it out of the plastic and check it.

I have had this happen to me too. At the gate is where it usually happens but once an attendant came up to my seat on the plane and took away my bag full of magazines, books and water which were in a smallish plastic bag.

loisco- Have you done a practice pack yet? If not you might find that useful... I truly doubt that you can get clothes, shoes, toiletries, travel accessories for a 7 week trip plus all the books you want to bring into the luggage you're describing (even counting an extra shopping bag full).

"I truly doubt that you can get clothes, shoes, toiletries, travel accessories for a 7 week trip plus all the books you want to bring into the luggage you're describing"

Actually lots of folks do exactly that. Anyone w/ even minimal advance planning can get 20 to 25 outfits into a 21 inch rollie bag (three pairs of slacks, one dress or skirt, and several associated tops/sweaters/blouses/jacket/shawl plus the outfit worn on the plane.) And there would be ample room to spare.

So my question is how many books do you think you need? I always take 1 or 2 pocket maps, 1 or at most 2 guidebooks, a paperback or two, and photocopied pages from any other guidebooks that I think I need.

These all fit in my 21 inch bag and in my handbag. One paperback is usually in the handbag, the rest in the suitcase.

So I really don't see how you would also need a shopping bag - but if you are taking the whole NY public library, just make sure the shopping bag will also hold your handbag.

But if it is so large it won't fit under the seat they may mak you check your suitcase anyway.

janis- since we so often agree on things i want to add this about what i posted above... loisco has talked in previous posts that she plans to bring something like 6-7 novels (!) plus a similar number of guidebooks. AND did not want to check any bags.

I agree with everyone that the photocopier can be one's best friend! Double-sided is even better. I have a black Baggallini tote (17" tall x 13" deep, with nice long sraps and a ton of pockets everywhere). If I can't fit my things into the Baggallini, it doesn't go with me. Like others have said, a small purse can fit inside the tote.

I learned all this the hard way, Lois. Don't bring more than you can manage, no matter how much you think you might need it.

That thing about the copier suggested something to me that I must try on my next excursion:

Buy the travel guide. Scan the pages into the PC, then download the images to the iPAQ. The best of all possible worlds.

suze: thanks - I don't remember seeing her thread about taking 6+ novels and 6+ guide books.

Ioisco: That is an AWFUL LOT of reading material. Is reading all you plan on doing? Even on long trips I only take one or two books - then can buy others along the way IF I find I run out. I drop one paperback after I'm finished and pick up another one - these new books are often great souviners/reminders of the trip. There is really no reason to carry 12 to 14 books around Europe. If that's what you MUST do just plan on checking your bags - don't even think about carrying them on unless you can bench press 300 lbs.

And you really don't need multiple guide books - even when you are traveling through multiple countries . . . . . .

Great help all of you... books I am talking about are all the Michelin Guides ..for all the areas we are going to.


.I will only bring 2 or 3 paperback novels stuffed in my pockets..sigh! Will download a few on my Ipod. Perhaps in my travels I can pick up some others. I hope some people leave stuff at the hotels for others.

We are checking the 22incher. The tote I have is a small one, made by Travelpro. Not huge..Hubby has bad back and shoulder and will have his own backpack but I think I could give him the extra shopping bag..so he would have only two things!

Or I like the idea of the duffel. By the way the above doesn't count the phrase book, and Marling menu Master, But those are all small and thin. I guess I will have to get the red Michelin there.

Many thanks..