I carry my cell phone and any jewelry in my purse and check my bag. So far, it's the liquid thing that I haven't been able to get down to the quart sized zip lock. I'm still working on it, at least for short trips.

I would happily wait for my checked luggage (and let the airline employees do the lifting) if I had confidence that said luggage would arrive intact and complete on the carousel. But after the second time I got off a flight and the my checked bag didn't arrive on the carousel, I became a "bin hog." Dealing with the airlines' "efficient" centralized lost-baggage system cost me too many precious vacation hours that I would much prefer not to waste. This was some years ago, but I could not possibly imagine that today's bankrupt understaffed airlines would have instituted any improvements, especially now that checked bags pass through another set of TSA hands (who must be dealt with separately if they contribute to lost, damaged, or delayed bags or stolen items).

Airlines, security officials, and everyone else seems intent on completely ignoring the reliability problems of checked baggage. They apparently prefer to put all the blame on "selfish" passengers, as if there is something wrong with a desire to have your property arrive intact with them rather than spending hours on hold to an 800 number waiting for a distant, overworked, indifferent employee to tell them that they don't know when the bag will arrive.

If they made checked baggage reliable, believe me that most passengers would be more than happy to give up their kitchen-sink carry-ons and enjoy swift and safe boarding and deplaning. But it would cost too much to make checked baggage reliable. It's far simpler to vilify "bin hogs" and impose strict rules than to do anything to fix the real problem.

So what do I carry on? A carefully-packed rolling bag that meets published specifications. Except that the new restrictions on liquids and gels mean that I spend a few minutes at my destination in a drugstore buying samples of whatever versions of my favorite toiletries are available, since that is far less hassle than juggling a clear plastic bag in addition to my shoes, carry-on, camera bag, and boarding pass at the security checkpoint. That minimal hassle is worth it because it's an opportunity for me to make a small contribution to Victory in the Global War On Terror.

Talk about "karma". I'm sitting here at the airport since 3:15 for my 5:15 flight (it's now almost 8:00). We have had two delays for maintenance. At this point, I will not make my connecting flight until tomorrow am. I have a good size tote with my non-liquid articles, my one qt bag with liquids, my medicine bag with my liquid medications (such as saline for my contacts). I then have a small rolling suitcase that meets the requirements with my laptop, my critical client files and two lightweight outfits for client visits. If I didn't have this I wouldn't have anything for my overnight stay and then of course, who knows if and when my luggage will arrive at my destination.

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http://greatideas.home-biz-how-to.com

someone mentioned if you can't easily lift a carryon over your head you should check it. i'm one of those weakly people who can't do that. yet i don't want to check my bag for a 3-day trip. what do you do if you can't life it? is it okay to ask for help?

well, I am not willing to ask for help putting my suitcase into the overhead bin. If I can't handle it myself, I check it thru. Even then you'll need to be able to get it off the luggage carousel, etc.

That said, will some kind soul assist you?... sure, someone will.

Another option if you can't life it is to just put it under the seat. That is where we always put our bags. Except last flights where we were in the exit row, so had no choice except overhead.

Another option if you can't life it is to just put it under the seat. That is where we always put our bags. Except last flights where we were in the exit row, so had no choice except overhead.

That's fine if it fits, but an overhead-bin-size suitcase (a 21" carryon) will not fit under the seat.

Before I got married and the idiotic and oppressive FTA rules I would not take anything unless it fit in the carry on.

My wife however can take a suitcase full of shoes.

dmlove--I have always managed to get my 22" bag under the seat in front of me, but maybe bags differ enough that it doesn't work for all of them. I then mine as a footrest. Granted I am very short, so that doesn't work for everyone.

It depends the type of airplane you are on. A 22" suitcase does not normally fit under the seat in front of you.

suze--Very true. I do recall one flight that I was not able to stash it at my feet, and that was a Horizon hop from SEA to PDX. But otherwise, that bag has traveled underfoot on flights for about 12 years. Maybe because it is not one that expands, so it isn't as bulky as others that are the same size? I don't know. But I do love that bag, and my new 21" and plan to keep stashing them at my feet whenever possible.

I have found that most bags over 17" don't really "fit" under the seat. However, I usually get a window seat, shove the bag as far as it will go under the seat, put my feet on the bag, throw my jacket over my knees and hope the FA doesn't notice the bag hanging out 2-8 inches...

P.S. Why do they tell you to stow your heavier items under the seat and lighter items, like coats and purses, in the overhead, when most heavy bags won't fit under the seat??

When I carry on I have a 20" duffle at the largest, and a purse or fanny pack. And my purses are usually small to medium (11" by 8" by 3" for the largest).

I carry a backpack that has wheels so I can carry it or drag it, and it fits under my seat or in the overhead. The back straps can be tucked in when not being used. I am used to walking to the subway when traveling, so I have gotten in the habit of not bringing more than I can carry myself.

I have a backpack on wheels, which I may take on my long weekend to NYC next month. Your subway comment has me thinking it may work better than the duffle.

Um, everything in one small roll-along. Regardless of where I am going. If it doesn't fit in there, I don't need it.

If I'm going on a long trip, my luggage gets checked (especially if it's non-stop or direct) and I carry on a large purse -- holds paper and pens, ipod, and a book. If the trip is shorter and we need only carry-on size for the entire trip, then I just take a 22" rolling suitcase and put it in the overhead, still using that same large purse for my "on-plane" activities.

Something to consider about your "checked luggage". These days everything is subject to being opened and checked. Make sure you carry your medications with you and not in your checked luggage. I went on a recent trip, and when I arrived at my hotel, it was obvious that someone had gone through my bag (toiletries were all over instead of being in their case) and my prescription drugs were missing. Mind you, the only ones missing were the drugs that could have some street value, the others were left behind (obviously someone knew what the drugs were...even with generic names). Nice. So, live and learn. Anything like muscle relaxants, pain pills, anti anxiety meds, sleeping pills ....carry them with you if you want to have them at your desitination.

I've had too many issues with checked bags. So I've reduced my carry on to an oversized Marc Jacobs leather tote. It holds my clothes, my purse and my plastic baggie items and other little knickknacks. If I need to, my second bag is my dog carrier and that counts as an item as well. So I'm always good to go.

I take the essentials and I'm out! I feel so smart when I watch everyone else wandering around with half the crap they own up and down the terminals.

With two bags you should be good but just try to minimize as much as you can.