I saw it in a store not online. I mention it mostly because it seemed perfect (and I'm real picky about how I carry travel toiletries).

suze, how big were the containers? Were they more like generic drugstore travel containers? Or more like cool spa sample jars (which is another source of great small travel containers)?

And for myself, having looked at the packing cubes, etc, I went to Walmart and purchased I believe there were two sweater type bags in each pkg and they about basically cubes (not flat bags), zippered and do the very same as the expensive type from Eagle Creek. And I too just take them out in bulk and unpacking that way, use items as necessary, instead of each item, etc. Although with plastic, I have found it best to use the straps inside the suitcase, over the bags as when security occasionally have opened them in my view, the bags could slide out. But you get to used to that kind of packing, you would never go back to the other way. Happy traveling. Halfpint

They were mostly 1 oz. size of bottle and jar shapes and couple of 2 oz, one with spray top. What caught my attention was how many different bottles were neatly contained in a 1 qt. baggie. Way more than I though it could possibly be. And very neat.

Oooh, 1 oz bottles, the most useful size IMO. And jars are great for things that are sufficiently liquid to pour from a bottle (or test tube).

Now if only there were a Bed Bath & Beyond somewhere along my usual errand route...

Therese, I know I know!! ;-)

People probably think I'm nuts for mentioning it. But those 3-4 oz. kind you normally find in a drug store travel section are too "gigantic" for me.

Another way to downsize with cosmetics is to visit the cosmetic counter at your dept store. I was purchasing my moisturizer before a trip and asked if they also had any sample sizes since we were traveling. They didn't, but what they did have were there tiny sort of compact looking things...about the size of 2-3 quarters stacked on top of each other. They filled that with my cream. They gave me several, but one was enough for 2 weeks. It was great because it was so tiny, and I didn't feel bad tossing when I was done. They said they do that all the time at that store.

Janis - I was advised by a security guy (at Cardiff I think) that unlabelled containers wouldn't do & would be assumed to be too big.

Therese - "you can bring along gigantic two gallon ziploc bags" - I'm not sure you are getting the point that the maximum size of the plastic bag is a litre ? One litre bag containing as many => 100ml containers as you can fit into it.

"Therese - "you can bring along gigantic two gallon ziploc bags" - I'm not sure you are getting the point that the maximum size of the plastic bag is a litre ? One litre bag containing as many => 100ml containers as you can fit into it."

Yes, I'm definitely getting the point that the maximum size of the bag that contains liquids is one liter (all in aliquots of 100 mL or less, and all in containers that will not hold more than that volume). But there's nothing to prevent you (or anybody else) from bringing along EMPTY two gallon ziploc bags. Or even two gallon ziploc bags stuffed with underwear or sweaters or whatever.

OK, sorry. But still not sure I'm understanding the scenario of 10 terrorists each with 2 x 2 gallon empty bags ?

caroline_edinburgh: Of course individual security screeners may define the rules differently -- that is always an issue. No matter what the requirements are, the guy on the machine will determine what gets through and what doesn't.

But in the last 8 months I've flown in/out/through ORK, LHR, LGW, MAN, GLA and in each case my zip lok bag contained several marked and unmarked containers. No problems, questions, or raised eyebrows by any security srtaff.

bookmarking. Great ideas!

"...not sure I'm understanding the scenario of 10 terrorists each with 2 x 2 gallon empty bags."

The theory is that they're not empty. Each of the 10 terrorist has a Kippy filled with tiny bottles of explosive components. Everything legal, right?

Then, 38,000 feet over Greenland, they all put their collective gallon of liquid together and touch it off.

But read this: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08...t_terror_labs/

I don't understand the issue of carrying empty plastic bags, either or why that is a security issue. The whole point of the 1 L or qt plastic bag was that was the entire amount of liquids/gels they wanted one person to be able to carry and the plastic bag was just to make screening quicker, that's all. It had nothing to do with the bag itself. The 1L size was just to indicate the quantity they wanted allowed, it had not purpose in itself.

I agree with Suze about the 1 oz size bottles being most useful. I never carry 3 oz of shampoo on a trip, for example -- at least no trip of 3 weeks or less, but I do have dry hair and don't wash it as much as many people do theirs. But it's long and thick, so does probably use up more than short hair would.

The guy at Cardiff was just making up his own rules or indicating what the staff at Cardiff were doing -- I have never had any security staff at major US international airports or European ones question my travel-size bottles that weren't labelled, just generic empties. Unless you are a real dunce, you can tell a 1 oz plastic bottle is not over 3 oz. I could see if they were over 2 oz and unmarked, one wouldn't want to debate the issue. That's kind of a silly thing to say anyway, as if I really had to, I could soak the label off a 2 oz bottle and glue it onto a larger one, if all the security staff could do was read the label and would believe it.

In fact, I think they rarely read the labels as they are too small and they mainly screen them in that machine.

Hello all,

Since I started this thread before I left for Italy, I thought as well join in and share what I took on my trip.

My carry on was a black 18x24 bag..Lonchamp (sorry about the spelling) long,leather handles and a soft zipper across the top. Inside I had a book, fresh undies, meds, hand and body lotion (scented) reading glasses, toothbrush and paste, aLuna bar for a snack and water I purchased before we entered the plane. Just enough for me to feel good and not too much stuff for me to feel crazy. I wore Nike workout pants, a sportbra to feel super comfy, a whitenylon shirt and a Nike jacket. I felt comfortable sleeping in this outfit and looked good enough the next morning..sez I. I wore green Puma's that I took off and replaced with thick socks called Smartwool. Oh, I also brought a deck of cards and played alot of Gin with my travelmate.

This is the best travel site ever and I am forever grateful for everyone's help and insite.

GRAZIE,

Luci

Going to Greece next month, and I was wondering really what type of bag should I carry.

We are going to be driving around the country and then flying to Crete and maybe a few other places over a two week period.

Anyway, I was wondering if it would be easier to carry a roller bag or a duffle bag, plus my back pack.

Thank you very much,

JP