Packing Light ?
 

In the past, my husband and I have traveled light, and have not checked through any lugguage. Now, vacation time is coming on again and my husband is saying, we can't do it this way anymore due to the "new rules" about razors, and liquids etc. What are your thoughts ? I shiver at idea of checking trough my lugguage ... Thanks.

You can do it. We spent 10 days traveling in Europe over Christmas and New Year's and only brought a carry on each. Just be sure to abide by the new gels/liquids rule and you'll be fine. Have a great vacation.

I'm stressing out over the same thing for an upcoming trip in a few weeks. I've always done carry-on only for the flight over. This time I'm flying Lufthansa, with a 16 or 18 pound limit for carry-on, and I just can't do it. SO ... I plan to pack my 22" just like I've always done, with a carry-on bag inside which I bring to tote back all my "loot". Once it's all packed, I will remove the carry-on bag and as much of the "best" clothes that will fit into that without exceeding the weight limit. Then bring that onto the plane, and check the (now half empty) 22". If I never see the 22" again, at least I'll have most of the good stuff with me. I hope. Good luck with your own packing!

We're leaving for Paris Thursday for 15 days and I'm "working on" packing only to carry-on. I've done this many times in the past, but, yes, the new rules mean being a tad more creative. Regarding the liquids rule, I have more than my DH, so I'll split them up and put my quota in my bag and my quota in his:)

Our apartment has a washing machine, but I've usually found they take too long and hanging to dry on racks takes forever, so I've already scouted neighborhood laundramats and we'll drop clothes there once or twice and have them laundered. This has always worked well and allows us to pack very light.

Don't be deterred by the new regulations!

We always travel light, too, and were determined not to let the new rules change that for us when we went to Italy this past October. We each took one small carry-on. We waited until we got to Europe to buy liquid shampoo, disposable razors, etc. Took us all of 15 minutes to buy the stuff we needed, which was a lot less time than it would have taken us to check baggage. Piece of cake! :)

We've traveled to Europe 5 times since 1999 and have not lost a checked back yet. Maybe we've been lucky and our luck will run out some day, but I do think too many people worry over this issue needlessly. Just make sure that you have all your important stuff like medications, camera, etc. on the plane with you.

If you still can't make yourself entrust your luggage to the airline, then do as others have said and buy the shampoo, razor, etc. when you arrive.

Lucie's right, just buy what you need when you land, we all pack too much, we usually only wear a 3rd of what we take so be ruthless and pack light things and min make up, and have a lovely holiday...

We just returned from 9 days in Europe and only used carry-on. Just fit all your liquid items in a ziploc bag. If something comes in too large a container, just put it in something smaller, enough for your trip. Or, if you think you need more, I agree with the "buy it when you get there" method. Regarding disposable shavers...we didn't have any problems and we were in a few different European airports. They were fine in our carry-ons.
I think everyone always packs too much. We were gone for 9 days and still have things we didn't wear.
Enjoy your travels.

My sister and I are going to try the carry on route this time (Italy for 3 weeks).She's bucking the idea but I told her it is not up for debate. I always worry about traveling by train and having to much luggage. I tried to get her to do it on our last trip, but was unsuccesful. Of course her luggage arrive only 1 day late, MY luggage arrived 3 days before our 3 week vacation was over. I hated the few replacement clothes I had to buy and wear the entire trip. So if I can only have 3 outfits I want them to be things that I LOVE. Plus I think it will be fun to try going to the laudry mat in Italy. Happy packing everyone!

We had hardly any wait for our luggage on our last trip (flying Continental SEA-EWR-CGN), either picking it up in CGN, or picking it up at EWR (for re-entry to the US), or picking it up once again at SEA. When I did "carry-on only", I would always jam it so that I had to spend a lot of time packing just so. With a slightly larger suitcase, there's no need to do that. I also had no problem with this luggage and trains.

Way before 911 I started just packing the very small travel size of bathroom toiletries and than a few days later would buy more..again buying small sizes and not packing them if anything was left over when I flew home.

Three cheers for LucieV.

I never understood why people have to pack a quart of shampoo for a three week trip to Europe. You can buy everything you need on almost every street corner these days in major cities. The stuff will probably cost 2 or 3 times as much over there but this is a minuscule expense compared to the cost of your airfare, hotel, daily meals, admissions, souvenirs, etc., and etc.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that, yes, buying in Europe is the way we go, as well. It's actually fun poking around foreign grocery stores.

BettyK, believe me, when you've had your luggage delayed by six days in London and four days after returning home, you will re-think the notion that "too many people worry over this issue needlessly." Aside from the obvious issue of spending precious vacation time shopping for clothes each day (evey day--in case they arrive the next), there is the inordinate amount of time spent each morning on the phone with the airlines and... oh, I'm getting worked up just reliving it.

After years of being a die-hard carry-on only travel, I find I like the convenience of checking one 22-24" wheeled suitcase. Because I am often solo, not having a suitcase during airport transfers is a treat for me.

That said, I pack a very carefully thought out carry-on of essentials including a change of clothes, extra glasses, etc.

re toiletries, I'm picky about products so would not want to have to go shopping for things like that the first day. I take my own shampoo, lotions, potions, etc. but downsize each into tiny travel bottles, all laid flat in a ziplock in my checked bag.

I used carry-on two weeks ago with no problems and then checked two bags going back (as planned, since it was a shopping trip). This was in the direction Europe>USA>Europe.
Don't know about any new rules about razors. Straight razors have always been forbidden and all of the other kinds are authorized.

FYI - A few weeks ago a TSA agent saw that I included a bottle of contact lens solution in my ziploc bag. He told me that since it is for medical use, it doesn't have to go in the bag. I have traveled again since then, but didn't separate it as I had enough room in my baggy for that plus my other liquids. I haven't had a chance to check the TSA website to see if it spells it out clearly. It might be worth looking into if you are tight on space and have a medicine that you are including.

OK, this may be silly...be gentle.

What about saline solution for contact lenses? I've never actually looked abroad b/c I've always brought my own.

Those of you who buy your toiletries when you get there must not have sensitive skin. I am really very jealous and I hate you all - LOL. If I did that, I'd risk spending a very uncomfortable vacation itching from head to toe!

I, used to be the queen of the 30" suitcase. LOL When I went to Paris last November, I packed everything I needed into my 21" suitcase. I did plan on checking it so weight wasn't a factor and actually it didn't weigh very much. I got a hidious pink folding duffle bag that I put in the bottom of the suitcase and used that also for the trip home with my added purchases. Everything arrived just fine but I had insisted on booking direct SFO/CDG flights so no plane changes.

I'm flying down to Oakland in March to go to the barrel tasting and am going to experiment. I don't need hardly any luggage so I'm going to see what lotions and potions I can get into the small bottles and see how much of that I can get into the required quart sized bag. The only thing I'm wondering is, if you can take more that one quart sized bag? I'm just not a big fan of buying stuff when I get there and then having to leave it behind if I don't want to check my bag. So, this should be interesting.

It bears pointing out that packing for a 10 day trip with a 25-50 pound allowance is one thing. Packing for 23 days with a 16 pound limit is another entirely.

bookmarking

For crefloors: TSA says one quart size Ziploc.

For Holly_uncasdewar: What is the difference?

Packing light as in fat free or as in a flashlight light? ;)

I had a month in France last year, and mailed home packages four times. The French postal system is excellent, and the postal workers are friendly! Keep in mind, however, that once the package reaches the USA, it is delivered by DHL. If you're on an extended trip, mail it to someone else. I did have some trouble tracking down a couple of shipments that got routed back to NJ after no signature was available. But in the end, it all worked out and saved me from carrying them myself.

I pack the same for 10 days as for 23 days. That said, my suitcase always comes in right around 25-30 lbs. so I check it.

I agree with all this but do have a question. When one goes on cruise, where formal clothes are required, then one must pack those plus the required dress shoes etc etc. Has anyone managed a trip like our upcoming one that will be two days in Venice, then 7 days cruise to Greece, then another three days in Italy with just a small carry on suitcase (and please, don't suggest that we skip the formal nights and eat in the buffet!)

Thanks

Oh, I know I could not do carryon for a trip of a week or more. I'm only going to be down in the Bay Area for three days and Southwest never seems to worry about the weight and I certainly won't be taking much. So, when you guys travel for two and three weeks with carryon, how do you do it with the weight restrictions? And these restrictions seem to be getting worse and the weight allowance less. All I can say is bless all of you who can do that. I have no idea how much my 22" weighed, but I know that I could easily lift it with one hand, but there is no way that it passed weight to be carried on.

Hi crefloors, according to Fodorite rkkwan who travels all the time..he said on another thread that our US owned airlines do NOT have a weight restriction for even international flights, the restriction is only the size. According to him it is only the nonowned US airlines that have weight restrictions. I did check NWA website and sure enough there was only the luggage size restriction, none regarding weight for carryons even for international flights.

Okay, I'm going to ask what I'm sure is a really dumb question, and it has nothing to do with this thread: What the heck does "DH" mean? I see it all over these forums! Please help.

Could be:
Dear Husband, nice.
Dumb Husband, notso.
Read in context.

And regarding my post to Crefloors regarding rkkwan's advice..another poster stated that AA does have a weight restriction regarding carryon's for their International flights..it is 40lbs. So check with the airline you will be flying with per their restrictions..always a good idea in any case.

I just flew Alitalia a couple of weeks ago carrying on a 22" roller and a small backpack. I forgot what the roller weighed in at, but it was even less than I'd anticipated. They never asked to weigh the backpack. I say pack what you have to pack in a carry-on bag with hopes of carrying it on, and if they take it then they take it, but at least you tried.

With the trains, I couldn't imagine having any bags larger than a 22". I'm one that threw a tiny pouch which expanded into a duffel bag to take home dirty laundry and other stuff that I checked in. That was a great tip I picked up from this site.

What's the deal with the razors - we can't bring them on? I've had disposables on nearly every domestic/international flight I've taken since the new regs and I have never been stopped.

Finally, Woolite comes in small packets that you can buy (10 to a box maybe). That was a good move, as it helped with undies and socks.

Sorry for the long post, this is just all fresh in my head!

Just a warning note about the French postal service. Yikes. They have a pretty bad rep for a 1st world country. Be careful. I thought people were being paranoid until we had necklace and earrings mailed to a family member and it arrived--empty! Perhaps small jewelry boxes are something to avoid mailing...

I've been shopping for luggage for an upcoming 12 day trip to Italy, and hope to carry on all baggage as we must change planes in Paris at CDG which has horror stories galore on this site.

One of the internet luggage sites I visited had a link to baggage restrictions, both size and weight, for both domestic and international carriers. They ALL have rules.

Deb, Buying new luggage I would urge you to figure out how much it weighs empty, as well as dimensions, for trying to do carry-on only.

I have been traveling all over the world, and have never been able to just have a carry-on. My sneakers, hiking shoes and a regular pair of shoes 9if going out for diner) tskes up a good ortion of my luggage alone. What do people limit themselves to with just a carry-on? I really need help with limiting things:-(

Thanks for any info anyone can give me for my next 2 week trip to Switzerlnad and Germany.

For Crefloors & others who don't know how much your luggage weighs (if you care -lol!)...

Anytime I fly when I check the bag thru I just ask the airline clerk to weigh it for me, please. The scale's right there & they're happy to do it.

I have also pre-weighed using my home bathroom scale (weigh yourself, lift the suitcase, subtract).

I've been aware of suitcase packed weight ever since (years ago) the first time I wasn't allowed to carry-on my normal 22" with British Air's stingy 13 lb limit. The clerk just kind of looked at the bag, laughed, barely lifted it, shook her head "no way"!

PrincessDee, I go with the theory that I bring/wear my bulkiest items on the plane so they don't take up room in the suitcase. That means I carry/wear my winter coat and I also wear my hiking boots for the flight, usually bringing another pair of shoes to change into on the plane. I travel with a 21" suitcase, but do check it (and have an empty lightweight duffle folded inside.) Sorry to say, but I'm annoyed by the people who carry it all on as they tend to slow down the boarding process and take up the room in the overhead bins. Plus, I just don't want to be hoisting my luggage up and down and being weighed down with it in the airports, especially when I'm making a connection. I bring all the essential things in a carry on tote/backpack.

I just seem to bring too much STUFF (as my husband calls it!) I just can't seem to cut down :-(

If you really want to 'mend your ways' make a list when you get back home or everything you packed, but did not use. Refer to it the next time you start packing.