If you have traveled at all lately, you know there are alot of restrictions on the size and type of bags you can carry on or check on the air plane. It is important to maximize your carry on and to purchase a large enough suitcase to check in.
CARRY ON:
Most air lines tell you one carry on, but in truth you get two, as they allow a "personal" item, which can be a purse, laptop case, etc. If you are not packing alot and can get most of what you need in a large suitcase, you can get the rest of your things in a smaller rolling suitcase which can be brought on as a carry on. This can save you the cost of checking a second bag. When choosing your personal bag there are many things to consider:
* How long is my flight? This will help you determine how many things you need to bring to entertain yourself. For a four hour flight I had 5 magazines, a 700 page book, computer, DVDs, snacks, makeup bag, camera, iPod, cell phone. I had a fairly large bag, which in turn was fairly heavy. I chose to break it down and use the larger bag as my carry on and put smaller things into a purse. A bag with lots of pockets is also very helpful. This allows you to store many things and makes it easier to find when you are in a small area and your bag is stowed under your seat. Vera Bradley is famous for their bags having tons of pockets. The Miller bag by Vera Bradley is 24" by 13" and has 6 huge pockets all around it. It zips at the top which keeps your things safer.
* Can I use this carry on during my trip? All of my carry ons double as purses. This can free up room in your suitcase if you plan your outfits to coordinate with your carry on. Using a solid color carry on will allow you to use it as a purse more readily than carrying a printed bag. Solid bags in brown and black are a staple in any woman's wardrobe, traveler or not. Most designers carry bags with both prints and solids, so you should be able to find a good solid bag from your favorite designer. Vera Bradley has a whole line of solids called Microfiber. The Weekender is a great bag, large enough to be a great carry on, but can be used for quick, short trips.
*Am I bringing a computer? Ok, so those ugly black laptop cases you buy from electronic and office supply stores are a thing of the past. Lap top cases are now fashionable and can double as purses. These bags usually have one large opening with several pockets and a back zipper compartments. I own several Vera Bradley Messenger and Metro bags that are the perfect size for laptop computers, but I have also used them as purses. They work well for travel as they are thinner and can slide under a seat easily.
SUITCASES:
Most airlines now charge for the second bag and limit the 1st bag to 50 pounds. One way to maximize your suitcase is to purchase Space Storage bags. These can be purchased at Wal-mart (currently on sale at Aldi). There is a variety of sizes, from extra large to travel size. These bags require that you vacuum out the air (unless you want to roll them and push the air out yourself) which then makes the bag much, much thinner. You can then fit other items such as PURSES, cosmetics, blow dryers, etc. that require more room. Remember to weigh your bag at home before weighing it at the airport. There is a HUGE fee assessed if your bag is over the weight limit. The fee ranges from $50 to $100. If it is only a few pounds you can take something out (I had to do this. I took my Bible out and that did it!) and put it in another bag. When packing clothing try to stay with basic solid color bottoms that can be mixed with printed and solid tops. This way you can pack less bottoms which tend to be heavier. Packing one pair of jeans, khaki pants/shorts, black shorts/pants, a skirt, and a dress will reduce your weight.
It is important to check the airline you are flying a few days before flying. Rules and regulations can change quickly and it is important to know what to expect. Each airline has its own rules and fees.
Make a list of everything you pack. This comes in handy in case your luggage gets lost and for when you are repacking. It also helps you realize whether or not you have packed everything you need for your trip.
Hopefully this will help you on your next trip, airline or not.
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