There are many schools of thought about flying and airline policy. People pick their airlines for based on several policies usually. What doesn’t change though is how many people are flying. In 2015, 45% of U.S. citizens got on a flight. That’s a lot of travelers.
Every traveler has luggage. It’s a very rare person who flies without any baggage whatsoever. Increasingly, airlines are charging more for checked baggage. Some of them have even moved up to restricting carry on! The key it seems is to get the most out of the space.
The Tips
The first step in doing this is determining the purpose of the trip since casual clothes and business clothes tend to pack a little differently. It also establishes realistic expectations on how many clothes are needed. Going on a business trip means not having to pack going out clothes (unless you have firm going out plans!) after all.
Something many people overlook is the wonders of color matching. Picking a color scheme, even vaguely, minimizes the number of articles that need to be packed. Picking items which can be mixed and matched to create different looks without taking up extra space is a game changer.
The next step involves the actual packing. The organization is key for this. Grouping clothes by when they’ll be worn helps. For example, pants and shirts should be packed close together, while pajamas should not be in that mix. By grouping clothes, it’s easier to pick what’s needed without disturbing the whole case.
No packing is complete without last minute items. Most humans do only have one toothbrush after all. Writing out a checklist of these items while doing the main pack does two things. It provides a physical reminder and writing helps cement the items in the brain. Everyone always thinks they will remember, but how many times have they forgotten the toothbrush or the razor?
Bottom line, flying carry on only requires some planning but is not out of reach. Focusing on the purpose of the trip makes packing narrows down the potential choices. Some organization of both the literal and paper varieties goes a long way towards a satisfying experience. Happy travels!
Where was the last place you traveled?
References
Heimlich, John P. “Status of Air Travel in the USA.” 13 April 2016. Airlines for America. Web. 31 May 2018.