Men (or women if you do the organizing) how do you carry all the stuff you need on the plane?
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:09 AM
#1
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Men (or women if you do the organizing) how do you carry all the stuff you need on the plane?
How do you carry all the stuff you need on an airplane?
If I were a woman I would carry one of those big, honking purses.
Being obsessive compulsive I tend to carry a lot of things with me onto the plane – wallet, tickets, passports, itinerary, reservation confirmations, day planner and PDA, charger for use in the airport, memory cards for PDA, extra battery, Rolaids, Dramamine, book, travel book, crossword puzzles, Bose earphones, camera, memory cards for camera, prescriptions, sweater, change of clothes, toilet kit, plus a bunch of other things that I’ll think of at the last minute. With apologies to Robespierre I still carry paper itineraries, books, puzzles, reservations as a backups (have never needed them).
Now last trip I used a messenger bag but it didn’t do the trick – not enough pockets, being soft-sided, it folded over itself and wasn’t easy to access and I never used it at my destination.
If I were a woman I would carry one of those big, honking purses.
Being obsessive compulsive I tend to carry a lot of things with me onto the plane – wallet, tickets, passports, itinerary, reservation confirmations, day planner and PDA, charger for use in the airport, memory cards for PDA, extra battery, Rolaids, Dramamine, book, travel book, crossword puzzles, Bose earphones, camera, memory cards for camera, prescriptions, sweater, change of clothes, toilet kit, plus a bunch of other things that I’ll think of at the last minute. With apologies to Robespierre I still carry paper itineraries, books, puzzles, reservations as a backups (have never needed them).
Now last trip I used a messenger bag but it didn’t do the trick – not enough pockets, being soft-sided, it folded over itself and wasn’t easy to access and I never used it at my destination.
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:18 AM
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>>>>>>>>>How do you carry all the stuff you need on an airplane?
Mostly by redefining "need" to the bare minimum. I am female, and use a small backpack in lieu of a purse.
Mostly by redefining "need" to the bare minimum. I am female, and use a small backpack in lieu of a purse.
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:25 AM
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How about a small rolling tote? Mine holds everything you mentioned. Some come with more pockets/dividers for organizing. All that stuff adds up and is much easier to wheel than lug around over your shoulder.
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:29 AM
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My husband carries a small black leather briefcase (Kenneth Cole) that I gave him. It is soft-sided, but has a center zipper area with stiffening to hold papers. It has both regular handles and a shoulder strap, and can hold all of the above---including all of our books for the trip. It has security pockets on the inside for wallet, etc. It has worked very well for us. I take my own stuff (xans the books) in a daypack that we will later use for hiking.
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:30 AM
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In a small-medium sized duffel bag. It ought to weigh no more than half a pound when empty. There are plenty of organizers for helping with the arrangement of its contents.
But I think it's worthwhile to recommend (carrying with you into the passenger compartmwnt) even more than the stuff you mention. The risk of faild delivry of a checked bag makes it very important, IMO, to have <i><b>every</b></i>thing you think you might need in your first 48 hours at your destination... in your possession at all times.
Best wishes,
Rex
But I think it's worthwhile to recommend (carrying with you into the passenger compartmwnt) even more than the stuff you mention. The risk of faild delivry of a checked bag makes it very important, IMO, to have <i><b>every</b></i>thing you think you might need in your first 48 hours at your destination... in your possession at all times.
Best wishes,
Rex
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:31 AM
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Gosh flsd. This IS the bare minimum! You should see the things on the real list that I was too embarassed to include.
gomiki - I was thinking of one of those 18" rollaboards but can you access them easily enough on the plane?
gomiki - I was thinking of one of those 18" rollaboards but can you access them easily enough on the plane?
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:40 AM
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I have something like this, but mine has wheels and a handle.
http://www.ebags.com/samsonite/silho...?modelid=49309
I love it because it fits by my feet under the seat in front of me so I have access to it the whole flight, but since it is narrow, I still have room to extend my feet all the way out too. And since mine has wheels, it means I don't have to carry anything on the way to the gate. Mine came with our Samsonite luggage set.
http://www.ebags.com/samsonite/silho...?modelid=49309
I love it because it fits by my feet under the seat in front of me so I have access to it the whole flight, but since it is narrow, I still have room to extend my feet all the way out too. And since mine has wheels, it means I don't have to carry anything on the way to the gate. Mine came with our Samsonite luggage set.
Feb 25th, 2006, 09:53 AM
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robjame, I'm not home now so I can't measure mine. It's not as big as what kelliebellie suggested but hers looks interesting too. If you have a TJMaxx or Marshall's near you I would suggest looking there. I have seen small wheeled totes for around $50. I have found mine easy to access on the plane.
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:06 AM
#10
I think you need something like a small backpack or large daypack, like kids use for school books these days. Or a medium size nylon or canvas duffle bag with the u-shaped zipper opening on top.
I don't like messenger bags because of that flap, pain to get open. Rolling suitcases are even worse to access on the plane, especially with the load of stuff this guy carries (just kidding).
I don't like messenger bags because of that flap, pain to get open. Rolling suitcases are even worse to access on the plane, especially with the load of stuff this guy carries (just kidding).
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:06 AM
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The important thing is to downsize everything. I'm able to put everything I need in a small Samsonite camera bag that's ~12" x 8" x 6", and a 20" or 21" rollaboards, for all trips except long ones to Hong Kong, where I need to buy a lot of stuff back.
The camera bag is small enough to leave it under the seat in front of me. It can also serve as a small footrest. Some of the items:
- good Nikon digital camera that's only 3.5" x 2" x 1".
- Camcorder it's a Sony PC55, which is one of the smallest MiniDV available.
- Music player is the super tiny iPod nano. Headphones are the super tiny super-light but extremely good in-ear Shure e4c noise-isolating.
- Travel books, which I consider their weight and size before I get them.
- Travel-sized toothpaste in my toiletry bag, and flat contact-lens case instead of my regular enzyme ones.
- Instead of all the printed reservations itineraries, I write down stuff before my trip onto a nice Moleskine notebook.
So, everything I need on the plane can fit in my small camera bag. Rest in the rollerboard, including the chargers that I only use in the airport and not the plane. Even that, I bought smaller travel-sized chargers for my phone and camcorder. They're smaller, and without the cords.
Again, it requires descipline when you buy stuff that you'll use on the trip. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice some features for size/weight.
The camera bag is small enough to leave it under the seat in front of me. It can also serve as a small footrest. Some of the items:
- good Nikon digital camera that's only 3.5" x 2" x 1".
- Camcorder it's a Sony PC55, which is one of the smallest MiniDV available.
- Music player is the super tiny iPod nano. Headphones are the super tiny super-light but extremely good in-ear Shure e4c noise-isolating.
- Travel books, which I consider their weight and size before I get them.
- Travel-sized toothpaste in my toiletry bag, and flat contact-lens case instead of my regular enzyme ones.
- Instead of all the printed reservations itineraries, I write down stuff before my trip onto a nice Moleskine notebook.
So, everything I need on the plane can fit in my small camera bag. Rest in the rollerboard, including the chargers that I only use in the airport and not the plane. Even that, I bought smaller travel-sized chargers for my phone and camcorder. They're smaller, and without the cords.
Again, it requires descipline when you buy stuff that you'll use on the trip. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice some features for size/weight.
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:11 AM
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A small carry-on that fits under the seat is ideal for things like medications and toiletries and other items I'm not likely to need during the flight. I also carry my trip folder (copies of reservations, itineraries, ticket confirmations, and so on) in that bag. The camera lives there as well.
In addition I take a large shoulder bag that holds my purse, as well as things I expect to need on the flight: my neckroll pillow, books, noise-reducing heatset, and an old PanAm amenities kit with saline nasal spray, Boroleum ointment, Airborne tablets, and such.
My husband uses another, larger roll-on; his laptop is his second item.
In addition I take a large shoulder bag that holds my purse, as well as things I expect to need on the flight: my neckroll pillow, books, noise-reducing heatset, and an old PanAm amenities kit with saline nasal spray, Boroleum ointment, Airborne tablets, and such.
My husband uses another, larger roll-on; his laptop is his second item.
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:17 AM
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I have an older version of what kelliebellie posted, sans wheels (and not Samsonsite; mine's Ricardo), and it does the trick just fine. I carry a lot of the stuff that you do - I can't sleep on the plane, even on a ten-hour overnight flight, so I bring books, needlepoint, music, plus what rex recommends - toiletries and some clothes (not a complete change; usually a clean teeshirt, socks, and underclothes; also sweater and shawl!) in case my luggage never shows up. I then pack a smaller purse in my luggage to use when I get to my destination.
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:28 AM
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Usually, I just take a backpack (normal, school sized one), that has plenty of space, including for a laptop. If I have a very large quantity of stuff to take, I'll stuff the backpack full of clothes or whatever, and then use a messenger bag/briefcase for the stuff I'll actually use on the airplane/at the airport. Start by cutting down on what you "need."
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:33 AM
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Ooops - Don't you wish you could grab a post on the way out and stop it?
I am leaning towards a rolling tote of the type suggested by Kellibellie, gomiki, Nikki, Rex, Underhill and Tracey recommended. Can you get ones that clip(hook) onto your checked luggage once (if) you have retrieved it?
Favorite brands? Do most find one of these and a 21" or 23" or 25" piece of luggage adequate for a month in Europe?
I am leaning towards a rolling tote of the type suggested by Kellibellie, gomiki, Nikki, Rex, Underhill and Tracey recommended. Can you get ones that clip(hook) onto your checked luggage once (if) you have retrieved it?
Favorite brands? Do most find one of these and a 21" or 23" or 25" piece of luggage adequate for a month in Europe?
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:43 AM
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I have used a small rolling bag, especially when I bring my (somewhat large/heavy) laptop. The bag itself has some weight, though, because of the wheels/handle. It probably could clip to a larger rolling suitcase, but I usually end up with a roller in each hand once I have retrieved checked luggage. Here is a link to a similar bag: http://tinyurl.com/s8d5a
My favorite solution is to carry a small backpack (a Kelty Redwing, which is somewhat bigger than a bookbag pack - Sierra Trading almost always has these: http://tinyurl.com/nmvaa). Everything you mention bringing and more (my list is very similar to yours) fits inside and in the pockets. It easily fits in the overhead, and is easier to hoist up there without the weight of the wheels. I also like having it on my back in the airport, leaving my hands free for other luggage (usually a 22" suitcase that I check).
Either bag that I bring, I will pack a very light cloth tote bag inside with the things that I know I will want to access on the plane. I pull that out of the bag and put it under the seat. This way I preserve some semblance of leg room in my seat.
My favorite solution is to carry a small backpack (a Kelty Redwing, which is somewhat bigger than a bookbag pack - Sierra Trading almost always has these: http://tinyurl.com/nmvaa). Everything you mention bringing and more (my list is very similar to yours) fits inside and in the pockets. It easily fits in the overhead, and is easier to hoist up there without the weight of the wheels. I also like having it on my back in the airport, leaving my hands free for other luggage (usually a 22" suitcase that I check).
Either bag that I bring, I will pack a very light cloth tote bag inside with the things that I know I will want to access on the plane. I pull that out of the bag and put it under the seat. This way I preserve some semblance of leg room in my seat.
Feb 25th, 2006, 11:24 AM
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You can create your own extra pockets by putting an Eagle Creek item into the main compartment of a student-sized knapsack. I have a 'portable pocket' which looks similar to the current Eagle Creek express pouch. I also use ziplock bags as additional 'pockets' inside the main compartment of my daypack, which itself has three additional pockets.
The advantage of soft-sides is that you can jam them into awkward spaces (like under the seat in front of you, or into an awkward sized spot in the overhead. Soft-sides also tend to be lighter.
The advantage of soft-sides is that you can jam them into awkward spaces (like under the seat in front of you, or into an awkward sized spot in the overhead. Soft-sides also tend to be lighter.
