The right luggage for your trip.

The right luggage for your trip.

by | Sep 22, 2021 | 2 comments

60’s Luggage

There are many packing tips available, but few discuss the right bag for the trip.  When it comes to luggage, the choices are plentiful. The type of bag you carry can make a big difference in your travel experience.  There are several considerations to make when deciding what kind of bag to carry on a trip.  Here are some thoughts that will help ensure you are carrying the right luggage for your trip. How long will your trip be?  How are you traveling, plane, train, or by car? How much are you packing?

Many travelers try to travel with as little luggage as possible.  With the cost of checked baggage, tips on traveling light are plentiful.  But what if your trip is more than a weekend or a week.  What considerations should you make?  Will you be carrying your luggage for any length of time?  How often will you be handling your luggage? How much does your luggage weigh?  Suitcases, backpacks, or tote bags are a few choices available.

Suitcases are the easiest option, with a carry-on suitcase being the most go-to option.  However, many travelers also use tote bags, backpacks, or even trunks.  Most suitcases have wheels, so they are effortless to maneuver through the airport and city.  When considering a suitcase, consider its size, features, durability, price, and safety.

Size is essential as you may have trouble lifting or maneuvering your luggage throughout your trip.  In addition, airlines have strict baggage dimensions.  While you may be allowed one checked bag, you are still subject to fees if that bag is considered oversized.  Additionally, with larger baggage, most people tend to overpack.

Suitcases have many different features. Some have either two or four wheels.  A suitcase with two wheels can tend to tip over, while one with four wheels usually stays upright and is easier to maneuver. Handles should be adjustable to your height.  Picture trying to roll a child suitcase being over 5 feet tall.  Another helpful feature is external pockets in the suitcase or baggage.  Outside pockets are handy for last-minute additions or when going through security.

When it comes to durability, whether your luggage is waterproof or not will make a difference if your baggage is handled during rain or ends up in a puddle somewhere.  In addition, travel can be hard on luggage, and the last thing any traveler wants to experience is to have their luggage fall apart while on a trip.

Luggage should have safety features that include sturdy zippers or a latch system. In addition, travelers should consider durable locks or zip ties. Locks have to be TSA certified, or you will risk having them cut off by TSA.  Zip ties are an alternative to locks.  While not very secure, you will at least know if someone has been in your luggage.

The price of luggage is a personal decision, and often price reflects the quality.  However, designer luggage does not always equate with quality when traveling.  While it may be stylish, baggage is almost always damaged, scuffed, or scratched during travel.  In addition, designer cases are more susceptible to theft.

I hope you find these tips valuable.  Drop me a comment; I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Choosing the right carry-on for you.

Choosing the right carry-on for you.

by | Apr 7, 2021 | 0 comments

Choosing the right travel bag is different for every traveler.  Some people are natural over packers and will try to carry everything in their carry-on. Others might be traveling with simply a carry-on, even if they are traveling for a week.  I encourage all travelers to choose the bag they choose based on their needs and circumstances. However, here are five things you might want to consider when making your choice.

One of my primary considerations is how the bag closes.  Does it zip-up, or is it a carry-all with no closure?  If you’ve ever traveled and had your items all scattered either on takeoff or landing, then this will be a priority for you as well.  If things get scattered under your seat, you never know where they will end up, maybe a few rows behind you or maybe in front of you.  If things get scattered in the overhead bin, then chances are you are not tall enough to see into it to make sure you have all your items.

The size of your bag is essential.  From airline to class of travel, what is allowed as carry-on differs on different flights.  Besides, you want to make sure it can carry your essential items but not be too big to make it not fit in the overhead bin or too restrictive to your feet if placed under the seat in front of you.

Just like your choice of luggage, the weight of your carry-on is a critical consideration.  I would suggest a lightweight bag that can fit all your carry-on needs. It would be best to consider that you will carry this bag on your shoulder or attached to your roll-aboard for some distance.  If you have to take a heavy bag, it can undoubtedly lead to more back pain than usual for confined aircraft seating.

While it might look fashionable to carry designer luggage, know that you will be using shared space.  If another passenger spills something in the overhead bin, it will get over your bag.  Should a passenger get violently sick close to you, those bodily fluids can spill to your carry-on stowed on the floor.  Not to mention that you have no idea if someone hasn’t already been sick in the area.  Know that not everyone will treasure your bag as you do and travel accordingly.

An often-overlooked area in choosing carry-on bags is the organization it may offer.  Bucket bags by design hold everything as they are named.  It can be challenging to find items in your bag if you have no idea where in your bag they are.  A bag with different compartments makes it easier to find your passport or boarding pass, or toiletries if you keep them in separate areas.

Do you have a go-to inflight bag?  Having been a flight attendant for many years, I am conditioned to have my bag organized and ready at all times. How about you? I’d like to know.

5 must have items that stay in my carry-on.

5 must have items that stay in my carry-on.

by | Dec 10, 2020 | 0 comments

As an avid world traveler who has done this both professionally and personally, my carry-on is always semi-packed. Here are my tips and advice on the 5 items I consider must-haves and should always be in my carry on.

1. A lingerie organizer bag (details on another blog post). The one I use has two sides, one for clean underwear and the other for dirty. You never want to get them confused!

2. An electronic organizer bag (blog post coming). With people being so connected it is so inconvenient to lose connectivity and most hotels do not provide enough power outlets for the technology we use in our daily lives.

3. A toothbrush which in my opinion is even more needed than the electronic organizer. Many people pack this in their suitcase but with the chances of your luggage being lost, I like to always have this at hand.

4. A medicine bag with items like Tums, ibuprofen, cold medicine, etc. I tend to also have eye masks, face masks, prescription medications, band-aids, Neosporin, alcohol pads, and such (more on another post).

5. Finally I always have a small makeup bag with the basics like mascara, lip moisturizer, lipstick, makeup remover cloths, toner, and face moisturizer. These are always found at beauty supply stores and pharmacies in travel sizes.

You make have other priorities for your carry-on. If so, what are they? I’d love to find out.

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