Carry-on Luggage Packing Tips & Techniques
The purpose of this site is to provide you with tips and techniques for packing your carry on and suitcase luggage in ways that
maximize space and meet with airline regulations. The item we find most effective in helping travelers utilize the most space in their suitcases
is the SPACE SAVER VACUUM BAG. You have probably seen the commercial for these devices on TV. Well, with the advent of tighter airline restrictions
for passenger baggage coupled with their assessment of fees on those whose baggage is found to be over the limit, the SPACE SAVER VACUUM BAG can be a
valuable friend.
In addition to space saving, efficient packing tips and resources, we have provided links to resources that can help you understand the airline
rules and regulations regarding carry ons and baggage in general.
You can break your carry-on and/or overall luggage packing plan into 5 steps:
1. Know the carry-on/baggage policies of the airline you plan to fly with. Airline Carry on Policies
2. Choose a carry-on bag that is lightweight and as large (in dimensions) as allowed by most airlines. If you fly frequently with the same
airline, simply choose a carry-on that meets the regulations of that particular airline.
3. Decide what you absolutely need to take on your trip and how much of it you will need. Make a list.
Factors that will determine your necessities include:
Length of stay.
Weather in the destination area.
Purpose of your trip: business, pleasure, etc.
Will there be home items provided where you are staying such as an iron, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
4. Pack your absolute necessities first. Use the SPACE SAVER VACUUM BAGS to pack your necessary clothing. If after packing your
absolute necessities you find that you have weight to spare, you may add your wants.
5. Weigh your completely packed carry-on to make sure it meets the airline regulations. If you find that you are just a few pounds over,
you may want to place small items in your purse (woman) or hip pouch, briefcase or duffel bag. The airline does not count a normal woman's purse,
briefcase, hip pouch or similar personal bags as a carry-on. If you are way over the weight limit you may need to reassess your necessaties or go
with an additional small suitcase.
TIP: If you are forced to pack luggage in addition to your carry-on, try to pack the "absolute necessities" in the carry-on. If your luggage
is delayed or lost, at least you will have your can't-do-withouts with you.
CRAFTY, SLICK, and even SLY TIPS and TECHNIQUES to get around the airline carry-on restrictions
USE THE JEDI MIND TRICK
Remember, in Star Wars, how Obi Won Kenobi hypnotised the storm troopers on Tatooine into believing that C-3PO and R2D2 were not the droids
they were sent to find. Well, you could try the same technique with the check-in clerks at the airport. It goes like this:
1. Approach the check-in clerk with a smile and overweight carry-on in hand.
2. When the clerk gestures for you to place the carry-on onto the scale, you say the following: "You don't need to weigh my carry-on". In a calm
voice, still smiling.
3. The check-in clerk will say "I don't need to weigh your carry-on".
4. Then you say "It's well within the weight limits". Keep your voice even and calm. Keep smiling.
5. The clerk will answer: "It's well within the weight limits. Have a safe trip."
6. Take your carry-on and walk away. Keep smiling.
If they don't go for the mind manipulation of a Jedi, these techniques have a better chance of success...
BUDDY SYSTEM
If you are traveling with friends or family, have a packing party and disperse your excess weight among each others bags. You may be 10 lbs.
over the limit, but someone else in your group may be 15 lbs. under. Maybe someone in your group isn't planning to take a carry-on and can take
one for you.
DRESS IN LAYERS OR GO HEAVY FOR THE PLANE RIDE
There is no weight restriction for humans. Try wearing 2 - 3 pair of underwear including: socks, t-shirts, etc.
Instead of packing them in your bags, dress in your heaviest clothes and bulkiest shoes for the plane ride
(again, there is no weight restriction for humans).
BE INTERCHANGEABLE
Choose a color scheme for your traveling wardrobe that allows you to mix and match as few tops and bottoms as possible. Colors such as
black, white, blue and beige can be matched with a wide variety of colors.
BUY and/or USE CONVERTIBLES and BECOME A TRANSFORMER
Use or buy long pants that can convert into shorts, long-sleeved shirts that can become short-sleeved. These specially designed clothes are
called convertibles and they can save you packing space by allowing you to get several types of attire out of one set or piece of clothing.
WEAR CLOTHES WITH LOTS OF POCKETS ON THE PLANE
You can use the abundance of pockets in your pants, jacket, shirt, vest to carry small items and preserve the space in your carry-on for
larger items.
ROLL WHEN and WHAT EVER YOU CAN
Believe it or not rolling rather folding clothes can actually help prevent wrinkles. This technique also helps conserve precious space.
House Innovations Ltd offers Pack Mate space saving bags that allow you to pack and roll your travel clothing. This low-tech alternative to the vacuum variety
simply expels space-occupying air from the bag as you roll it.
LEAVE YOUR OLD LOOK AT YOUR DESTINATION AND RETURN ANEW
Before you leave for your destination search the web for clothiers and shops located there. Make a list of the stores you find. Dress in and
pack your old clothes that you were planning to replace anyway or clothes you don't mind leaving behind. While on your trip, have fun shopping
for your replacement wardrobe, or simply leave the old clothes behind and return home with even less in your bags. You may choose to do your
shopping when you get home.
LEAVE YOUR LAPTOP AT HOME
Leave your laptop that you normally use for business and other administrative activities at home, and use remote access software such as PCANYWHERE
or GoToMyPC to connect to your computer from your destination. Of course, make sure a laptop or PC with Internet connection is available at your destination and remember to
leave your laptop or PC on and connected to the Internet. The benefit of this strategy is it frees up carry-on space and options for other items. Or
it simply lightens your load.
USE THOSE SHOES
Probably a better plan for men - pack small items like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and travelers-sized toiletries in your shoes. This
technique can save you some space for other small items in your carry-on or suitcase.
Stuff socks in shoes.
TAKE AN EXTRA CARRY-ON FREE
As I mentioned earlier, airlines do not usually count purses or briefcases towards your carry-on baggage. Carry large but not ridiculously
large ones and use them to pack extra items. Use a large purse (women) or briefcase that can carry toiletries, makeup etc,and leave your real
carry-on bag for clothing.
GO HEAVY FIRST
If you didn't have time or resources to weigh your bag(s) before arriving at the airport, use your eyes and feel to determine your
heaviest bag. Have the clerk WEIGH YOUR HEAVIEST BAG FIRST. Once you know how much over the limit the heaviest bag is, you can disperse
the overrage among your lighter bags.
Again, If you didn't have time or resources to weigh your bag(s) before arriving at the airport and you only have one carry-on be prepared
for an overweight measurement and pack along a small folding duffel, tote bag or other such bag. You can transfer the overrage into this
backup bag. Remember airlines typically don't count purses, small duffels, totes and the like as carry-ons.
GO EARLIER THAN USUAL AND SCOPE OUT THE SCENE
Get to the airport early with plenty of time for repacking and fussing if necessary. This allows YOU to scope out the check-in teams
and see how they respond to other fliers: Are they sending everyone away to pay overage fees? Are they weighing anyone’s carry-on luggage?
If they’re not, be sure to get in that check-in team's line. If your carry-on is actually a bit over, but looks reasonable, you may be able
to "slip one by the goalie".
In no way are my carry-on tips and techniques the be all and end all. Please feel free to email your experiences to
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