Packing Your Bags

By Melissa Lee

Packing to conquer air travel

Now that you’ve got your air tickets figured out, what’s the smartest way to jostle among the holiday crowd

1. Pack light

These days, many airlines charge for checking-in baggage. If you’re going home, chances are that you’ve still got a couple of things you could use at your parent’s. If you can, invest in a good cabin sized bag on wheels. I know you love your duffel bag, but when you’ve stuffed it full of clothes and shoes and you’re trying to make your connecting flight at a different terminal, your duffel bag is going to weigh you down and make it very unpleasant. Having a bag on wheels means that you don’t need to carry additional weight on you, and makes it easier when you’re sprinting for the finish line. On a recent trip to Memphis, I managed to pack 4 days worth of clothes, a pair of sandals, a pair of rain boots, workout clothes and shoes in one bag thanks to this.

2. Important things go into a separate bag, also known as your “personal item”

All airlines allow you to bring a carry-on bag, and one “personal item”. This could be anything, a laptop bag, your backpack, or a tote bag.

This is what I have when I pack my tote bag. Toiletries (packed according to TSA regulations and removed for screening), kindle, a tablet, chargers for all three electronics (including my phone), a sweater or scarf in case it gets cold, my wallet. I have my boarding pass loaded on my phone, so that one less thing to worry about.

The reason is, two words. Loss Prevention. Now you’re going, “But it’s a carry on! They won’t lose my bag!” Right, and wrong.

You’re right because if you’re on board a large enough plane that you actually have space in the overhead compartments, you don’t have to worry about losing your carry on.

BUT, in the event that you’re traveling to a small airport that’s maybe a 3 hour plane ride away, chances are, you’ll end up on a really tiny plane. You know, one of those noisy jets where there are two seats along one aisle and one seat along the other? On smaller aircraft like that, there is a chance that you may be asked to “check-in” your luggage (for free). Since people tend to carry more than they should, sometimes even on a larger plane, you’ll find that you run out of space in the overhead compartments.

In cases like these, you don’t want to risk the airline losing your bags (it can happen) and leave you stranded. Therefore, keep everything important in your carry on.

3. Prep For the SAT? Prep for the TSA. It’s an Anagram.

The worst thing about air travel is going with the demands of TSA. Take off your belts, your shoes, socks. These days, if you’ve got more hair than a Golden Retriever, they’ll pat your hair down too!

I usually have all the things I need on the flight, and for TSA screening in a separate tote bag. This way, I have everything I need within reach and I don’t have to disturb my delicate packing in my carry on.

If you don’t need it, leave your laptop at home. This will save you the trouble of having to remove it from your bag for screening.

While you’re waiting in line, have all your toiletries in one zippy bag and have it in your hand. If you’re wearing a belt, remove it and throw it into your extra bag. The same goes for your jacket.

If you’re the kind who hates having their bare feet touch the cold hard floor, wear socks. Once you’re about 2 or 3 people ahead, start to remove your shoes.

By now, if you’ve followed my instructions carefully, you’d have 2 bags (a carry on, and a “personal item”), your zippy bag with toiletries, and your shoes. Once you get to the line, grab a bin and throw your shoes and zippy in together with your “personal item”. Then toss your carry on in front of your bin and you’re golden!

4. Avoid running for your life

In all honesty, travel rules for domestic travel are extremely relaxed. As long as you arrive at your gate before it closes, and if you’ve checked-in online, it doesn’t matter when you arrive at the airport.

Having said that though, plan to arrive ahead of time. You don’t want to be rushing for your gate if you arrive at the airport at the last minute. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before your plane departs. I once missed a flight because we did not foresee that traffic would actually build up just outside the terminal. I’ve learnt my lesson since.

Some people don’t want to turn up at their departure gate early because they feel like they’re sitting around doing nothing. Take this time to catch up on your leisurely reading, or with your friends. Or call your Mom for a chat. You would rather be early and be on your flight, than be late and have to wait for the next available flight. In some cases, you may have to wait up to a day to be able to get on to another flight.

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