Q.  I can’t believe you can pack so light.  What do you take in your carry on?

A.  This varies based on whether I’m traveling for work or pleasure.  If it’s work, there are some additional things that I have to carry, and when I’m in uniform, I’m exempt from the no liquids rule.  Since most of you will need to be in compliance with the no liquid rule, here’s a run down of what’s in my carry on if I’m flying away for a getaway weekend.

• Netbook – I downsized to this for my trip to Europe this year, and boy did it free up space and weight!
• iPod
• Camera and FlipCam
• Gadget accessories – chargers, mouse, extra cards
• Notepad and pens/pencils, envelopes, file folder with trip info in it, miscellaneous stuff to collect additional information while on trip
• Make up and toiletries
• Bag of liquids – deodorant, toothpaste, perfume, cleanser, moisturizer, mascara, lipstick and gloss,and small-sized hair products
• Change of clothes – usually just another t-shirt or blouse, underwear, socks, and a swimsuit (if I’m going somewhere warm)
• Sleepwear
• Snacks – I’m a big fan of packing something healthy to eat on the road
• Jewelry
• Kindle

And that’s it!  Everything else goes in one roller bag that I check.

My carry on contains the essentials that I’ll need so I’m not bored during the flight, keeps my valuables with me, and with a change of clothes can get me through an overnight if my bag is delayed.  Really — I CHECK MY BAG!  I made a few modifications for a three week trip, but the basic framework for my packing is always the same.  And if I’m on a ticket (rather than flying on a pass), I always check my bag.

What do you pack in your carry on?

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

It doesn’t seem like I should have to spell this out, but most every day that I fly someone mentions packing one of these items in their checked bagged.  Usually, it doesn’t present a problem, but DON’T PACK THESE ITEMS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE!

1. Itinerary.  Keep a copy of your itinerary in your checked bag, but make sure that you have a copy with you as well.  If your bag does go missing, you’ll need to know what reservations you have, confirmation numbers, phone numbers, etc.  I keep my itinerary on my phone and computer as well, but have it on paper as well. 
2. Ticket.  People actually pack these away, and I want to scream WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?  Take all tickets with you, from plane and rail tickets to admission and concert tickets.  Treat these like cash.
3. Money.  And while we’re on the subject of cash, why anyone would pack money is beyond me.  This goes for any form of cash, too – credit cards, travelers checks, bearer bonds, whatever!  Keep it with you!
4. Identification.  You need it to get through security, but make sure that you don’t send any with your checked bags.  If it’s lost or stolen, don’t given anyone additional information that could lead to identity theft.
5. Jewelry.  A few months ago, I saw a woman with a bag too large to fit in the overhead bin refuse to give up her back to be check because it had all her jewelry in it.  Good move.  But a better move would have been to pack it all in a carry on that would actually fit on the plane.  When she took out all her jewelry there was so much that she had to put it in a large shopping bag.  Think twice about packing that much of the good stuff, even when it’s in your carry on, as you may be making yourself on a target for theft.
6. Fragile items.  Glassware, antiques, and other expensive goo-gaws should be in your carry ons.  If they’re too large to carry on, you should arrange to have them packed properly and shipped.  But don’t trust their safety to the baggage handlers.
7. Camera gear.  If you are traveling with a large amount of professional gear, you already know how to pack it for transport.  You may decide to check it, or you may decide to use one of the shipping services that will have it waiting for you at your destination.  For the rest of us, don’t pack your gear or film away.  Why trust your precious memories to someone else.
8. Perishables.  Food should go with you.  Mayo gone bad or a rotting piece of fruit is going to stink up the joint.  Don’t let it stink up your clothes.
9. Medication.  This falls within an exception to the 3-1-1 liquid rule (check the TSA website for more details).  If your bags are delayed or lost, you won’t want to be caught without medications that you need.  If you must travel with large amounts of medications, consider shipping them ahead to your destination, or arranging to have prescriptions filled on the road.
10. Keys.  You’ll want to be able to get into your car or into your house if your bags are delayed.  And you certainly wouldn’t want your house keys falling into the hands of a thief.

The above items are the MUST go in carry on list!

But be sure to save room for some items that will make the flight a little more enjoyable – reading material, a few toiletries, a bathing suit or lightweight change of clothes, iPod, snacks, and games or toys for the kids.

Image credit:  SXC

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

But the one thing that I hated about this hotel.  The one thing that should never happen in a business hotel at any point along the price spectrum.  There was only one plug in on the desk to accommodate the charging of all my gadgets!

Now, I confess to traveling with more electronics than the average person.  I have my iPod full of music and movies, my iPhone (necessary for internet access when I’m traveling and not in a hotel room), my Kindle (because I love to read and packing around more than one book gets way too heavy), and my laptop.  I can’t pare it down any more than that.

Those things all need to be recharged.  And I need more than one plug in to do it.

That’s why packing a simple power strip is one of the best things that you can include on your packing list.

Whether it’s to recharge all your electronic gadgets like I do, or to have space to plug in beauty gadgets in the bathroom or dressing area, a power strip ensures that you can use everything you need to use.  They’re inexpensive, can be used anywhere.  In fact, if you’re in an airport or lobby where you can only find one plug in, whipping out your power strip and offering to share will make you the most popular kid on the block!

Next time your travel, pack that power strip!

Image credit:  Amazon

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  If I told you that there was a pre-paid ticket for you at the airport to anywhere in the world that you’d like to go, but the flight leaves soon, how long would it take you to pack and be out the door?  Seriously now, you have to pack – how long would it take you to pack?  And what would you take?

A.  I need to make sure that YOU have MY phone number, because if you ever want to put this to a real test, I’m game!

Since I keep a bag partially packed, all my toiletries and cosmetics are ready to go.  But still, there’s some work to be done.

First off, I’d pull out all my liquids that I need to carry on so that I don’t have any problems at security.  I don’t want to miss the trip of a life time getting stuck at security with a liquid and gel problem.  I’d plan to pack my suitcase, so not all of my liquids need to be removed.

Then it’s a matter of getting some clothes together.  Since most of my wardrobe is black, it’s a matter of putting the following into the suitcase:  black pants, a few coordinating tops, a scarf or two, black dress, pair of jeans, nightshirt, underwear, and a swimsuit.  Add a pair of heels and flips flops, and I’m nearly done.

In my tote bag I’d place my liquid “kit,” my laptop and plugs in (I keep my chargers and cords in one bag), magazines, Kindle, and a lightweight change of clothes.  Add in my camera, a few snacks from the kitchen, grab my purse (with keys, phone, etc.), and I’m ready to go.

I’m guessing that I could get all that done in 20 minutes, half an hour tops.  A few more minutes to feed the cats, take care of a few quick things to get the house ready, and I’m out the door in 30-40 minutes.  Now, let’s hope I didn’t forget anything!

How about you?  How long would it take you to pack and get out of the house?

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  Do you have some packing tips, and ways to keep from taking too much stuff with you?

A.  For many people, packing is the worst part of the trip! 

Although I pack differently for a pleasure trip than I do for work, I generally use the same pieces of luggage.  I have one roller bag with the majority of my clothing in it, and also a tote that contains some toiletries, computer and electronic gear and items that I need to keep close at hand. 

Here are a few basic “rules” I keep in mind.

The first thing I think about is where I’m going to be – the weather (be sure to check weather reports before leaving home), what I’ll do while there (beaching it, hiking, formal event), and how long I’ll be there.  With those guidelines in mind, you can put together a pretty basic packing list.

Next, I make a list of the days I’ll be gone and what I’ll be doing on those days.  I try to match up clothing to each day based on the activities I expect to happen (even if it’s not exact, it will help give you an idea of what you need).  It is rare than you will change clothes more than once a day, so discard any notion of lots and lots of cute outfits for each day.  A list also helps you focus on having the proper clothes for any special event or specialized activity.

Now it’s time to assemble clothes and start packing!

Pick a color theme and stick with it, mixing and matching to make multiple choices.  Make a clothing list of what you’ll need on paper.  If you’re traveling for longer than a week, think about laundry options – either hand washing in your room, or hitting a laundromat. I packed for a three week trip to Europe in no more space than I use for work travel.  For short trips, I don’t want to spend precious time doing laundry, though. 

Watch the shoes.  I’m ruthless here.  Shoes are heavy and take up a lot of room, so keep it to a bare minimum.  An extra pair of flip flops won’t take up much room or add much weight, but a second pair of athletic shoes may not leave room for anything else.

I have a basic set of toiletries and supplies that I keep packed and in my suitcase all the time.  The only time these are unpacked is to replenish and freshen supplies.  If you’re an infrequent traveler, you’ll probably have to start from scratch on this, however I recommend putting together a separate set of items for your trip, even if you are an infrequent traveler.  It’s easier to transfer packed items for home use at the end of a trip (or leave them behind if you don’t have enough room), than to run the risk of forgetting to pack some item that you used the morning you had to head for the airport.

Once I start the actual gathering of stuff and packing, it will be easy to see if I have too much to fit in the suitcase.  Then it’s time to start reducing.  First I look at the bulky stuff (shoes, sweaters, coats) to see if I can eliminate anything.  After that, I look to see if there are any substitutions that can be made to reduce what I’m taking.  (For example, a pair of jeans or black pants can be worn multiple times, but a pair of white pants may only be good for one wearing.)  It all has to fit, so keep on paring stuff down.

One thought I keep in mind is that it’s unlikely I’ll forget anything that I absolutely cannot live with out.  Unless you’re going to a deserted island, chances are you’ll find stores where you can purchase anything that you’ve forgotten.

What packing guidelines do you keep in mind?  Are you a ruthless packer, or do you over pack?

Post from: Fly Away Cafe