Home >> Articles >> The Art of Packing for Long Flights
The Art of Packing for Long Flights
|
By Mike DuBose In 2010, I reached “Million Miler” status and “Diamond Medallion” level (the most elite) within Delta Airlines’ customer loyalty program, having flown more than one 1.3 million actual flight miles since 1975. I tell you this not to impress you, but so you know just how many air miles, hundreds of hotels stayed in, cars rented, stress, and yes, lost pieces of luggage that represents! As I traveled and talked with other frequent fliers and airline staff, I picked up many tips about how to travel and especially how to pack a suitcase. Over the last two years, I began to realize that I did not use about 1/3 of what I took on each trip. The extra stuff only meant more weight to carry, more bags to lug around, and more to worry about. When the airlines lost my checked luggage on my trips to Italy and Scotland, I decided to change my packing habits. I now take most of my belongings on board the airliner to ensure that they make it to their destination with me! It is very handy to have the fewest bags possible when you are staying in multiple hotels or taking different flights or trains. When I get off the plane, I head for the taxi or rental car without having to go through the luggage area (where my prayer life would greatly increase)! When I made a paradigm shift to packing smarter and lighter, I learned that I could go on a ten-day trip to Hawaii or Europe with just carry-ons—no checked baggage. This article is being written primarily for my staff traveling to Rome, Italy, but hopefully others can also use this information. Here are my secrets! Thinking differently and smarter: Many people lose the battle right off the bat because they think they need to pack unnecessary things “just in case” on long trips. Restaurants and hotels around the world are changing their standards from traditional business-like attire to a more relaxed atmosphere where anything goes. Foreign hotels now provide many conveniences, like hair dryers and toiletries. Packing smart, especially for trips of one week or longer, requires planning, patience, and skill, but it will make your vacation more enjoyable. Do not just haphazardly throw things together the night before a trip. When planning and packing, think smaller, lighter, and more organized. Ask yourself: Do I really need to take this? How can I carry as much as possible in my checked bag and carry-on and on my body? Can I condense this item? What is the best way to organize what I am taking? Selecting the right suitcase: Ensure that your luggage has rollers and preferably a wide pull bar—you don’t want to pull a muscle toting a heavy bag around! When comparing suitcases, keep in mind that size and weight restrictions differ between checked bags and carry-ons. Checked bags must be 62 linear inches or less (height plus length) and must not exceed 50 pounds for domestic or international flights (elite or Medallion members enjoy more liberal restrictions). As of March 15, 2010, checked bags on domestic Delta Airlines flights cost $25 each way ($50 round-trip); prices skyrocket for additional bags. People flying coach internationally can have one free checked bag weighing up to 50 pounds. The second bag costs $50 one way and the third bag is $200. The bottom line: travel with the fewest number of bags! Check the regulations before leaving, as a Delta agent told me that they change “all the time.” Carry-on luggage size must be 22"x14"x9" or smaller and cannot exceed 45 linear inches. Airlines also allow a “personal” bag, but their definitions are unclear. I suggest that you purchase maximum-sized carry-on luggage and a second gym bag with about the same dimensions as the carry-on luggage. Between these, you should be able to carry on most of your clothes for any trip. Airlines are checking carry-on luggage carefully, even right before boarding. If you are traveling with a group, you could find someone who only has one piece of carry-on luggage and ask them to take your carry-on aboard as their “personal item.” Bags need to fit into the stainless steel racks you see near the check-in gates at the airport; if in doubt, test them. I was surprised that a piece of luggage Delta Airlines gave me for becoming a Million Miler did not fit! If your carry-on doesn’t fit in the rack and you have already been through security, it will be “gate-checked” before you board the plane. You will be given a pink tag at the departing gate and the luggage will be loaded onto your plane by workers on the tarmac, which means that at least it will reach your destination airport instead of mingling with tens of thousands of other bags going to other places. You will be able to pick up gate-checked bags as you exit the airplane. However, it is best to bring appropriately-sized luggage in the first place. Delta (www.delta.com) and other airlines have excellent luggage restriction information and frequently asked questions sections on their Web sites. Consider putting a filled suitcase inside a second, larger checked one (still within size and weight limits) when traveling to your destination. That way, you have only “one” piece of free luggage leaving on your outbound flight and can use the second, empty suitcase to store gifts and dirty clothes on the journey back. You will be charged the $50 fee for the extra suitcase on your return trip only. If traveling with friends, you can share the empty suitcase on your return trip. I recommend buying middle-of-the-line, non-designer luggage so that thieves do not think you are rich. Although you should buy decent luggage that can withstand the wear and tear of traveling, expect it to get lost or damaged anyway. Once the airline has given you your checked luggage tracking labels, store them in a safe place on your body or carry-on luggage. Be careful about purchasing expandable suitcases. They may pass the dimension restrictions when empty but fail when you use the expandable section. Keep the expandable section closed until you get aboard the plane, when you can unzip it to give its contents extra room for expansion due to decompression. Label everything! Put easy-to-read labels on suitcases, cameras, laptops, iPods, earphones, etc. I usually type up my contact information (a small font for items such as cameras and large font for luggage) and then copy and paste it multiple times onto an 8.5”x11” page. Then, I cut the paper labels from the page and tape them onto my items using very clear Scotch tape. As you travel, keep your eyes on your luggage! I once saw thieves in Rome case unattended bags. Vigilance is even more important if you are taking European trains, since the luggage is stored at the back of each car’s exit door and thieves may easily steal your luggage as they get off the train. If you join airline and hotel customer loyalty programs, you may receive complimentary luggage labels, or you could laminate your own. However, it is always best to have customized, “destination-oriented” labels. They should include your name, address (including home country), cell phone number, business number, the number of a friend staying home in the US, e-mail address, and airline and hotel customer loyalty program ID). Be sure to put the number “1” before all telephone numbers because this indicates that they are US numbers. Put the same name on your IDs as the one on your airline ticket so that airlines can match the names easily. If you are flying internationally, you can include the name of your hotel and its address and telephone number so locals can find you quickly and easily if you and your bag get separated. Use sturdy labels that can withstand abuse (not those free paper name tags the airlines provide you). Also, tie something to your suitcase that makes your bag stand out in the crowd. It should be easily identifiable and difficult to tear off (for example, a combination of red and purple ribbon). If your suitcase is lost internationally, keep in mind that foreign airline desks are only open a few hours each day. It is my observation and experience that many airlines contract their luggage services to people in foreign countries who couldn’t care less if you find your luggage. US 1-800 numbers don’t work internationally, making calling the airline from another country tough, so determine their international telephone numbers before leaving the US. If you are traveling with a group, they will not wait for you to find your luggage. If your luggage is lost, complete a lost luggage form at the airport and have your tracking labels available. Also, write down your hotel’s name, telephone number, and address in advance so you will have that information readily available for the airline agent (this also is great for use with taxi drivers when they are returning you to your hotel). I always take a manila folder on board with me that contains all of my travel information. Foreign hotel staff has been helpful in tracking down our luggage in the past, but the key is to fill out the form immediately with the airline when you know your luggage is lost. If you can give them a tracking number for lost luggage, hotel staff can be of greater help when calling the airline on your behalf. Lost luggage can also be reported through the airline’s Web site, but I recommend going through the local airline agent. Organizing your toiletries: Toiletries can take up a lot of room in your suitcase and are frequently thrown out during security checks. Liquids must not exceed three ounces per container. Three ounces in a partially-used bottle do not count (a half-full six-ounce tube of toothpaste will be thrown away). The TSA defines “liquids” as anything that is not hard, so your peanut butter or stick deodorant could fall into the “throwaway” can if not contained in checked luggage! Instead of using bulky travel bags to contain all your toiletries, double-bag them in clear, heavy-duty quart-size Ziploc bags. This allows you (and security) to see what you have while taking up less room in your bag. Screw bottles of liquid shut tightly. I always have an extra packed toiletry bag packed and ready to go on both US and international flights. Look for travel-sized cosmetics and toiletries. Why take enough deodorant to last you a month when you only need enough for a week? When visiting US hotels prior to your big trip, ask hotel front desk staff for extra complimentary small toiletries like toothpaste and deodorant. You can also buy smaller-sized toiletries from stores near your departure gate, or you can order them online at companies like www.traveltoiletrykits.com. My wife, Debra, recently purchased two-ounce hairspray bottles (the pump kind) from TRESemme called TRES Spray which last her a week and they sail through security. If you prefer a certain brand of shampoo, keep hotel bottles from domestic trips and refill them with your favorite brands for longer international trips. Keep in mind that you cannot carry aboard or put in checked bags any compressed spray cans (like hairspray), which could explode, or batteries, which can cause a fire. Pre-packing: Organize the items you plan to take into three categories, in this order: (1) body; (2) carry-on; and (3) checked luggage. If you plan right, you may not need any checked luggage or may be able to limit yourself to one (free) checked bag. I begin packing by asking myself: What can I take aboard the plane on my body? I pile all of those items in a separate area with the clothes I plan to wear aboard the plane. Then, I ask: What can I take aboard in my two carry-ons? Finally, I place the other items in my checked bag. I usually view checked baggage as optional and include in that category things that I could lose or do without. Determine the right clothing for the plane: ALL long distance flights are cold and noisy. When I fly long trips, I wear a warm jogging suit with zippered pockets for storage. I also wear a fisherman’s vest that has many kinds of zippered pockets for my iPod, cell phone, medicine, pens, passport, license, wallet, loose change, earphones, diabetic supplies, chewing gum, snacks, receipts, and other items. My appearance suggests that I am going trout fishing! I bought the vest in Italy and it has been a great purchase. You can find them in large sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, and I strongly recommend getting one for long trips. The vest and jogging suit prevent me from losing things and save room in my luggage. Wear any bulky earphones around your neck and leave the protective case at home. Another neat idea is to wear a hunter or soldier outfit since they have zippered pockets on the legs and waist. Also, wear or carry large coats or sweaters aboard the plane if your destination is cool. They will not only keep you warm aboard the plane, but they are also space killers in a suitcase. You can always take them off once aboard the plane and use them as blankets. Always wear your bulkiest shoes (usually walking shoes) on board the plane with thick socks. Take a hat or toboggan on long trips since the airplane air is dry and cool and most of your body heat escapes from the head. If you have checked luggage, ensure that your valuables, medicine, identification documents, and at least half of your clothes are packed in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost. Believe me, you do not want your trip of a lifetime to turn into the trip from hell by having to find all new clothes on your first day in Rome! To be on the safe side, tell yourself when packing that your luggage and its contents will be lost, never to be seen again! Take old clothes and shoes to throw away: When you are planning to retire clothing or shoes that are still in style, look good, and fit, consider taking them on your trip, wearing them, and discarding them when you leave. The extra room left in your luggage will allow you to store gifts and souvenirs (or just have a lighter suitcase). When I visit Hawaii each year, I take my old Hawaiian shirts and underwear and then leave them there. Consider wearing clothes twice. After each use, clean any stains from your clothes, hang them in the shower to steam, and place them in the closet to air out and wear later in the trip with different pants or shirts. If the climate is cool, white or black turtlenecks can be worn with just about anything. You can also wash and reuse your clothes to save room. Most hotels have a washer and dryer, or there may be a laundromat within walking distance of your hotel. Remember to gather some foreign change before trying to do laundry! Check the weather: Go to www.weather.com a few days prior to departure and enter your destination city and country. Then, select “ten-day forecast” to assess the days’ high and low temperatures. The nice thing about this site is that degrees are reflected in Fahrenheit, not Celsius. Use the information to drive your clothing selections. Keep in mind that the different countries or parts of a foreign country and different times of day can mean varying temperatures. Most travel writers also recommend bringing a miniature umbrella. Check the hotel’s conveniences: Most modern hotels include a hair dryer, soap, towels, iron, and toiletries in your room, but go to the hotel’s Web site to see what they provide. If some items (like irons) are not found in every room, the front desk can usually loan them out to you. Leave jewelry and most electronics at home: Electronic devices take up a good bit of room and add weight in your luggage. Most international cities like Rome have Internet cafes with computers for use at reasonable fees, and Hotel Diana has WiFi for a fee. If you take a laptop, it should be very small and have a DVD player so you can watch movies on the airplane as well as use it to communicate. If you want to talk with friends and relatives back home in the US, you can purchase a telephone calling card from a tobacco shop. However, the card can only be used in the country where you purchased it. Beware of hotels that charge you for using such cards. Europe runs on a 220-volt system (US is 110). Using the wrong adapter plug in a foreign country can fry an electronic device—and each country has a different adapter to use! If you take any electronics, be sure to purchase the correct adapters upon arrival in the foreign airport or order them from the manufacturer specially designed for your device. (My son Blake ordered an adapter kit with various attachments specifically designed to be used with his Apple computer in Europe). Sometimes, foreign hotels will lend you a device for charging your items, but don’t count on it! I have found that most American shops do not know how to properly guide American travelers on electrical conversion devices. Be sure to fully charge all of your electronic devices prior to leaving the US. If flying internationally, you should have a power port for your electronics in a standard American 110 volt plug underneath your seat. Use this while flying and then recharge your device before landing to use in foreign countries. Be sure to have earphone adapters for both the single and dual airline plugs. Most of the longer flights have movies, which are free if you have your own earphones; otherwise, expect to pay the airline $5-7 for cheap ones. I recommend buying some “noise-cancelling” earphones, which can be ordered online or purchased in electronic stores like Best Buy. A small DVD player with some good movies can also go a long way, but keep in mind that most flights have movies so this may be unnecessary. Internet access is available on most domestic flights now, but tends not to be available on international flights. Don’t take expensive jewelry or heirlooms on your trip. Rome is a very safe city, but it is known for pickpockets and thieves. Leave your diamond engagement rings at home! Some hotels have safes, but they often charge for their use. My advice: Don’t invite thieves by looking rich. Try to stay close to groups when walking, especially at night. Be wary of anyone offering help with your luggage or directions (especially walking to European trains in the station) since one person will sometimes distract you in this way while a second person robs you. Don’t be scared—we have had nothing but great experiences in Italy—but be safe, not sorry. Reading materials: You may want to bring some reading materials for the long nine-hour flight from Atlanta to Rome that you can leave on the plane once you disembark. Books are a good way to burn wait time in airports. However, try to get at least four to six hours of sleep on the way over to avoid a miserable first day in Rome. Use a packing checklist: One of the best travel tips I can offer is to develop a personalized electronic checklist of everything you should take on a trip. As you travel more and more, edit the list so it will become a must-use document when you are packing. My list, which I have included at the end of this article, saves me a lot of time and increases the chances that I will have everything when I finally reach my destination! Medicines to take: Of course, you want to take your prescriptions aboard on your body or in your carry-on luggage. Also, bring along a written doctor’s prescription in case your medicine is lost or security questions the pills. Bring your prescriptions in bottles with the prescription written on them. If you have multiple prescriptions, ask the pharmacist for the smallest bottles possible or insert smaller bottles inside the larger ones to save space. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair and extra contacts with you in a separate carry-on suitcase. Be sure to bring sunglasses, a hat or cap, and a small tube of sunscreen (30+ SPF) since you will be out in the sun a good bit. If you cannot find a three-ounce tube, just place some in an empty medicine container. You may want to take over-the-counter medicines for nausea, diarrhea, constipation, small infections, stomach upsets, and minor pain along on your trip in clearly marked packages. Instead of packing an entire bottle of Tylenol, take fewer tablets in a small plastic bag. Place pills in a bag with your liquids to ensure they are visible and security does not think you are trying to smuggle contraband. You could also use a seven-day medicine organizer to house your medicines and ensure that you take them regularly. Keep in mind that foreign countries are tougher on drugs than the US. Also, take a thin thermometer and a few band aids for minor cuts and blisters. I take along a prescription and antibiotics because as a diabetic, I am prone to infections. All this may sound like overkill, but you don’t want to be venturing out in a foreign country looking for medicine if you are sick. Consider asking your physician for a one-month supply of a sleeping medicine like Ambien (in mild dosages like 5 mg and stronger ones like 12 mg) to help you sleep aboard the airplane or while visiting different time zones. When you are in or returning from a foreign country, your body’s rhythm is usually wrecked and you may need a mild sleeping agent for a few days to help you return to your former self. It is also hard to sleep on a noisy, cold airliner! Some flight attendants have told me they use Tylenol PM for sleeping assistance. If you are worried about flight sickness or it is your first time flying, ask your pharmacist or physician for anti-nausea patches. Try out these medications before flying for any side effects. You don’t want to take a new medication for the first time on the airliner and find yourself running down the aisle naked and screaming! Check with your physician for assistance and medical guidance. Lay everything on the bed: You will need to see how everything matches and how it should be arranged in your suitcase or on your body. Begin with your most important, “must have” items first and end up with the optional ones that can be lost or damaged. Once you begin to pack, consider these points:
A few final suggestions:
Also, read the other two articles on my Web site (www.mikedubose.com) on traveling to Europe and Hawaii. While they may not deal specifically with Rome, the articles include helpful tips for most vacations, business travel, and airline flights. At the end of this article, I have also included a personal checklist that I use when traveling overnight. Though items on the list are specific to my needs, I recommend that you read over it and consider using it as a framework for developing your own checklist. Well, there you have it: everything you wanted to know about packing but were afraid to ask! I hope that this information will help you plan and pack smart. Have a fun vacation!
|
Print Article
|
|
|
E-Mail to Friend