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Do you check luggage or just take carry-on?

Do you check luggage or just take carry-on?

Old May 10th, 2006, 11:15 AM
  #41  
 
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My answer above is only for Europe.

For tropical destinations on U.S. carriers I sometimes take my 22"-er on board on the way there (Mexico or Hawaii)... I always check on the way home, because by then... who cares?
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Old May 10th, 2006, 11:43 AM
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One way of looking at it is: if you're only going to check into a hotel once (i.e., you aren't "touring"), it doesn't matter very much how big or heavy your luggage is. The only hard part is getting from the airport to your hotel room, and that's over in an hour.

The time you save not having to deal with the logistics of laundry is a big reward for a fairly small investment in the effort expended in getting extra stuff there and back.

If you're going to make a lot of stops, obviously it's best to travel as light as possible.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 12:26 PM
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I now check my larger bag as it has my razors, Swiss Army knife, and other stuff I really don't want on my person.
Meds and important stuff I carry in my back pack.
The few minutes luggage delay is inconsequential as we're on Mexican time.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
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Old May 10th, 2006, 02:45 PM
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Here is what you do: Take all the underwear you need. With any room that is left, bring black pants and shirts. Wear your outergarments - a fleece, topped by blazer, and maybe jacket or coat on top of that. Stuff pockets with small items. (You can stash outerwear in overhead bin and it won't count as luggage.) Instead of purse, take the allowed "small pack" to carry still more items. Small purse can go inside. You only need one pair of shoes which you can travel in. Wear clothes until really grotty. No one knows you anyway. if desperate, you can buy or wash out a few things while traveling.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 04:05 PM
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For 2 weeks in Europe, each of us (2 adults and 1 child) brings a wheeled carry-on with underwear, shirts for 5 - 6 days and one jeans. The other jeans and the shoes (and an extra shirt and jacket if we plan to go to the mountains-snow) are the ones we actually wear on the plane. Winter wear: gloves and caps are stored in the jacket pockets. Additionally, we bring: one small (kid) backpack, the camera bag (with documents inside) and small purse (optional for storing train, metro, bus tickets). We always manage to find a laundromat near one of the hotels we stay (we select them on the way, no resevations) and wash clothes whenever we got the break/see one. Don't procrastinate on this one.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 04:54 PM
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Whoa......only one pair of shoes for a trip? Lotsa luck with that suggestion!
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Old May 10th, 2006, 05:05 PM
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I wear my bulkiest items on the plane (example: ski jacket, hiking shoes, etc.) even though I probably look stupid.

I don't pack toiletries, I buy them there (or, I ask the hotel - a lot of times the hotels provide things that are not automatically palced in the bathrooms, if you just call and ask).

Genetics - I'm short. My 6'4" husband has never been able to take only a carry-on, because his clothes just take up that much more room.

Hang shirts up to air them out. So you can wear them twice before washing (or, my friend uses a hybrid underwear/camisole to keep the outer shirts clean - I guess the inner wear soaks up sweat? Sounds gross, but it works for her).
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:14 PM
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When dirty, I just wear my skirts, socks, shirts and underwear inside out.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:17 PM
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issy, do you mean when you are dirty or when those clothes are dirty?
 
Old May 10th, 2006, 06:24 PM
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Good one, Neo! The clothes, of course.

My husband does the same with his dirty clothes. We make a cute pair, especially when we wear our matching bowling jackets.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:42 PM
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Issy, you are kidding, right?
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:48 PM
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Old May 10th, 2006, 06:59 PM
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I, for one, am relieved .
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Old May 10th, 2006, 07:01 PM
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We are die hard carry on travelers with 22 inch suitcases that weight appx. 22 lbs packed. I carry a purse/tote with the few items we may need on the plane. No matter how many weeks we go for, we pack for 8 days and do laundry every 7. Used to wash in the sink but its a hassel and I don't think the clothes are really that clean. It's actually kind of fun to find a laundromat and hang out for an hour or so, writing postcards, talking with the locals, or just relaxing and reading a book. I take three pairs of slacks, a mix of 8 tops, undies, 2 pairs of shoes and the typical camera, toileries and travel notes and off we go.
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Old May 10th, 2006, 07:04 PM
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This thread must be written by mostly males, casually dressed traveler, or young people! What about the hairdryer(hotel ones are hopeless for some hair); the pills for us old folks; the jacket or dressy clothes for the ladies?
Never catch me using carry on. What would the wonderful porters in Europe do without us?
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Old May 10th, 2006, 07:08 PM
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I, for another, am also relieved, Issy
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Old May 11th, 2006, 01:46 AM
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After avidly reading several threads I was so proud of myself last weekend when I only had a small carryon bag for a weekend in Sydney. By small I mean about the size of a toiletry case/bag - I've seen women with larger handbags these days! Zip lock bags ruled the day. This was important as I had to go straight from the plane to my sister's graduation ceremony.

Having said that, I have trouble imaging taking a 22inch bag carryon. I plan to pack that size, but the logistics puzzle me. How do all these bags fit in the overhead compartment? Are Australian planes on the puny side, or can only say one person in each row carry on a 22 inch bag?
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Old May 11th, 2006, 03:24 AM
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"There are no rules or musts when it comes to packing. Packing smart is packing the way that is best for you. If that means carry-on only fine." Isn't the safety and comfort of your fellow passengers important too ?

I'm starting to think I'll make sure to use only British carriers or Alitalia, as I like an aisle seat but don't want to be killed by heavy bags falling on me. I'd also like my fair share of the overhead lockers.

Alan has a good point too : it's not the clothes that take up the room, it's the other stuff. DH & I take 2 medium sized suitcases (which usually weigh c.20kg each when full). If I didn't spread different types of stuff between the 2, one would be completely filled with the non-clothes stuff we need for 2-3 weeks : shoes (not many), toiletries, sun products, travel iron, travel hairdryer, adaptors, books, medications, etc. I then just take whatever clothes will fit into the space left over.

I also take a small shoulder bag containing my travel documents, a few miniature toiletry essentials, a couple of days' worth of medicines, one clean top & set of underwear and one book, in case my checked-in bag doesn't arrive with me. On the rare occasions it hasn't, it's arrived later the same day or, once, the next morning.
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Old May 11th, 2006, 04:28 AM
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We carry it on on the way to our destination (one rollaboard, one backpack/tote each) with an empty tote stashed inside one of the suitcases. The tote fills up either with gifts or clothing bought during the trip, and all are checked on the way home.

We don't want to spend precious vacation time at our destination waiting for luggage, filling out forms and/or being delayed if it is lost or takes a different plane over, and replacing items. But on the way back I want to relax. Someone is usually waiting to help us at the home end, and if they lose the luggage then, well, it can't wreck the vacation at that point.
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Old May 11th, 2006, 04:37 AM
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In the carryon: all travel documents; maps; camera stuff; a swimsuit (hard to shop for) toiletries/meds (complex to pack as I take the minimum of everything I think I might need); clothing layers (cotton cardigan, windbreaker); change of undies.

My main bag is around 15 pounds (spouse's is around 22 pounds - but hey, he's bigger) and we check the main bags.

That's 15 (22) pounds of freedom - from fighting for overhead bin space and from schlepping around airports.

And if those checked bags should ever get lost - then I'll show you who really isn't afraid to travel lightly!
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