Carry- On Packing:
1) Roll it up, soldier! That’s right- we are packing Army style.
2) Shoes aligned along the bottom *see the next step because it’s important*
3) Stuff your undergarments, socks, and undershirts into those shoes (that is if you refrain from having stinky feet).
4) ALL TOILETRIES NEED TO BE TRAVEL SIZED.
5) Anything of remote liquid substance (including make-up items) needs to be placed in a Ziploc *or clear travel bag* (let’s keep TSA from having a fit).
6) Make your “personal item” a backpack that can be placed at your feet. Utilize that space for any of your electronics & extra clothing items (ladies, pack that purse in the suitcase, you’ll survive).
We will discuss the current TSA guidelines a little later, but for now let’s expand on the above bullet points. Firstly, rolling your clothing items rather than folding saves an overwhelming amount of space in any type of luggage. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to go about this if you need the extra help or a visual! I pull everything out of my closet that I could possibly need and make full outfits for the planned trip. Depending on how long you’re vacationing plan outfits accordingly. Planning around solid pieces makes it so much easier to coordinate outfits in different variables!
I will admit that shoes are my most challenging item to pack around, because I really want to bring them all (&& always pack far too many). BOOTS. BOOTS ARE NOT LUGGAGE FRIENDLY. Nonetheless, packing your smaller clothing items into the shoes does make it worth your while to save space, and justify bringing those extra pairs. After laying your shoes in the bottom space of your luggage, place your perfectly rolled clothing in every free space you can find around the shoes. This should create a good foundation to place the rest of your junk on!
Tetras is the name of the game. Place the rolled clothing in any layout that fits the most snug! If you are traveling to cooler weather and do require boots and bigger coats- I usually wear my boots to the airport, and roll my jackets to place in my backpack (that extra personal bag that we discussed earlier)! I love my backpack from Burton’s for hiking, and travel within the airport! *SEE BELOW*
After having a few of my full sized Biolage shampoos thrown into the trash at the security checkpoint I vowed to only travel with travel sized toiletries. If you don’t plan on checking any luggage under the plane you are required to utilize travel sized items anyway! It really is the best way people! PLUS- THEY ARE SO TINY AND CUTE! I have found the best luck purchasing travel sized items at Walmart, HEB (for us Texas peeps), and Amazon.com! If you’re like me and require that certain, certain facial cleanser, or that amazing smelling conditioner- you can also purchased the travel sized bottles and put your own stuff into them! I found an adorable travel sized variety pack at Marshalls for only $8 & it has been an absolute lifesaver! (Below is a comparable one from Amazon.com)
Place all toiletry items within clear Ziploc baggies or clear travel bags, and place on top of your clothing items. These should be the first things you see when opening your luggage. I say this because if TSA does need to access the items at the security checkpoint they can access them easily without tossing your entire suitcase around (hopefully).
*** SIDE NOTE: Marshalls is my most favorite place to purchase quirky travel items. For instance, the toiletry bottles up above, luggage locks, luggage tags, and dirty clothes bags (even though we just use the plastic ones at the hotels)! They really do have the nifftiest travel items for a fair price!***
Let’s go ahead and get the TSA guideline business out of the way… What. A. Drag.
Visiting TSA.gov prior to your travels may not be a bad idea. Especially if you are a first time traveler, or have not frequented the airport in years. The regulations are ever changing and can be quite stressful for even the most experienced fliers.
Sizing regulations for carry-on luggage do vary slightly from airline to airline, but I have noticed that they are really cracking down on the “larger” carry-on bags recently. The easiest place to check for your airline’s requirements can be found at (ebags.com). This is a comprehensive list of the major airlines and their overhead baggage regulations. You will likely make it through security without a hiccup, but when boarding your flight will be told that your bag is too big for the overhead compartment (we have all been there and we all get crabby about it). DO NOT FRET! They will check your luggage right there at the gate, it will make it under the plane, and you will retrieve it in the breezeway whenever you leave the plane upon landing. It’s not the end of the world.
Standard carry-on dimensions: 21.5 in x 14 in x 8 in
I purchased this little hard cased cutie on Amazon before our last trip & cannot brag enough on it! Affordable and functional and carry-on approved with multiple airlines so far!
The 3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per liquid item, 1 quart sized clear bag, 1 bag per customer. Now, I will put all of my small toiletry items in my clear bags and place them on top of my carry-on luggage to be easily accessible at security (this is K E Y), and then place my other clear bags into my personal backpack (again easily accessible). Just keep a close eye on the ounce size of your bottles, but it should not be any issue if you’re purchasing the travel sized items! I emphasize easily accessible because at your security checkpoint you will be required to remove the clear bags of toiletries to place in the bins to slide through the detectors. Make it to wear you can grab the bags, toss them in the bins, and then pack them right back up with ease. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
Electronic items of any nature: Cellphones, cameras, gaming consoles, laptops, Ipads, etc. Will need to be placed in a bin ALL ON THEIR OWN to go through security. Anything with a screen is considered electronic, so just save a life and put it in the bin… We keep it simple by keeping them in the large zipper compartment of our backpacks, zip, whip, zip- done!
This has nothing to do with packing, but just a friendly reminder while we are on the subject… Dress comfortably whenever you are traveling. If possible- just opt with the comfy clothes! Comfort includes the shoes that you wear on your feet, because you will be in and out of those puppies at airport security. Wear easy to slip on and off shoes (preferably without shoelaces or zippers) and SOCKS… You do not want to be caught walking on everyone’s foot fungus on those God forsaken airport floors. YUCKY! Shoes with socks, my friends- shoes with socks. Take those shoes off, toss them into a bin, and slip them back on on the side of glory! You will thank yourself *kisses*
I admitted before that I do not pack lightly… Smartly but not lightly. We usually get stuck with one piece of checked luggage for our trips that are longer than five days time. This means my carry-on bag, my backpack, and a piece of luggage that goes under the plane at check-in. If we can avoid this WE DO, but if we cannot we just bite the bit. It’s not secret that this can get expensive rather quickly… Airlines differ in their cost for your first checked luggage- they have increased their prices within the last three years. How rude. Some airlines allow your first bag free. Nonetheless, know your airline and utilize their specific website to know the charges for checked luggage. Expect to average $50.00 per 50 pound bag at check-in. Ouch!!! ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY: Airlines allow you up to two FREE checked luggage items within the weight limit. Present your military ID at the check-in. You do not have to be on military traveling orders to receive this benefit (to my knowledge) !!!
Okay… Dooms day preppers. That’s me. We are going to run the scenario of… *DUN DUN DUN* Lost or misplaced luggage. *insert agonizing groan* Lost luggage is extremely common. Especially for those with connecting flights. We always pack and plan as if we were going to lose every piece of luggage we own. I recommend that you do the same.
Here are some tricks to help in the instance that you do suffer this misfortune.Purchase the travel insurance. I know… Money is tight but the travel insurance will save your ass in the instance that your luggage gets misplaced. Take pictures of your luggage items. Ridiculous? It is actually genius. Tag and label each piece of luggage with your name and contact information! *we also tie hot pink bandannas to each of our bags* Apply TSA recognized luggage locks. They may be broken or gone whenever you retrieve your luggage, but it’s just an added barrier to keep your items inside secure. Band your suitcases. You can purchase luggage bands on Amazon.com. These secure around the luggage to keep it from “busting” open ideally. Plastic wraps. Amazon.com also has nifty plastic coverings for your luggage to add a barrier from that annoying plane grease, and all that scuffing that can occur on luggage under the plane.
We always use Allianz for travel insurance!
https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/lp/ppc/general.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-6rzyuH25QIVd__jBx3qsgH8EAAYASAAEgK9VvD_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=best%20travel%20insurance&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Travel%20Ins%20Category%20ATI
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS LOST:
Firstly, do not leave that airport until you have spoken with a manager in the luggage claims department. Make your claim as soon as humanly possible. Have all of your flight information on hand, and get this- your picture of your missing luggage! You will of course catch more flies with honey, but be persistent until you are certain that someone is looking for that missing luggage. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE GUYS. Come to grips with the fact that you may not see that piece of luggage again, and most often not for at least 48 hours if it is found. This is not a fast process, folks. If the luggage is never found… Educate yourselves. Domestic flights can reimburse you up to $3,300 for lost or damaged luggage. Your photos of your luggage packed come in handy here. Your travel insurance can also be of assistance here! Work with them to work for you. Although your claim was made, know that is not always the final solution. Utilize your social media resources by making a professional post in regards to the situation, tag the airlines, encourage your friends to share it. This will hopefully get the attention of an airline rep. who can further assist in the process if needed! KNOW YOUR OPTIONS IS ALL I AM SAYING! I love airports. I love traveling. I respect the workers. They are typically there to be of assistance, and they are almost always on your side. Be mindful of that. Don’t be an ass hat if you can help it.
Just a few tips/tricks that I have to get you started! If you have some travel hacks or have any good information regarding TSA, organized packing, discount codes etc. please share away in the comments!
Best of luck travelers. Xoxoxo
*I do not claim or own the rights to these photos*
