Choose well when carrying on
Lynne Johnston thought she had figured out how to carry on - until her carry-on was carried off.
Because of old experiences with lost luggage and the new fee for checking luggage, Lynne liked to bag the checking and use her faithful suitcase on wheels, which in the past usually fit in the overhead rack. When it didn't, an agent at the gate checked it and Lynne picked it up on the Jetway when she deplaned. But times have changed.
As she boarded a flight to Boston, an agent actually used that metal kiosk that says if your bag doesn't fit, you'll have to check it. Most of the bags didn't pass the size test. The agent delayed the flight while she tagged the luggage. But instead of arriving on the Jetway after the flight landed, the bags went to baggage claim. Except for Lynne's. Her bag had other plans. It didn't show up for two days.
With lost and damaged luggage increasing at alarming rates, checking a bag can cost you more than the new fee. And with the bag police checking sizes at the gate, you can lose it there as well. So what can you do to make sure you're left holding the bag?
According to travel agent Judy Barr, it's still possible to carry on your luggage, but it takes some planning.
• Choose the right bag. Not all wheelies were created equal. Some are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you - although you may have to choose between the bag and your feet. Some will fit in the kiosk if you unload the outside pockets. When my daughter Cortney flies, she only puts her laptop in the exterior pouch, which she removes before she boards the plane. Courtney says with a little elbow grease her bag fits the bill. Other travelers find duffels are the way to go. When Jeff Kinney flies, he organizes his wardrobe in Eagle Creek packs. His shirts go in one and his pants in another. Underwear and socks fit in the smaller squares. And they all fit neatly in a duffel that easily fits in either the overhead rack or under a seat. Jeff says his clothes stay neat and unpacking is a breeze.
• Choose the right wardrobe. Nancy, my old flying partner travels, limits her wardrobe to a few neutral outfits that fit into a small carry-on bag. She adds a couple of scarves for color and leaves her jewelry at home. A jacket doubles as a robe and swimsuit cover-up. Her travel clothes are made from easy-care nylon that washes and dries in a night. What most people pack for a three-day trip, Nancy packs for a three-week trip.
• Choose the right products. When Jean Cowden travels, she packs her one-quart plastic bag with 3-ounce bottles of products she can't purchase on the road. For the rest, she depends on hotels and strip malls. Most hotels stock personal hygiene products like toothpaste, mouthwash and shampoo. Leave the appliances at home. If hotels don't have hair dryers in the rooms, they're usually available at the desk.
Air travel isn't getting any easier. I suspect it won't be long before the airlines charge for the baggage you bring onboard. When that happens, you can bet travelers will take "carrying on" to a whole new level. And it won't have anything to do with one small bag.
Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.