Packing It In - It's Hard!

If you are a frequent flyer like me, you’ve grown tired of the times when you’ve had to wait endlessly for your luggage at the baggage claim carrousel. At the same time, airlines have squeezed space out of the overhead bins and cracked down on oversized carry-ons. To top it off, a lot of airlines are charging fees for checked bags. You are left with the choice of longer waits and more expense, or smaller bags.

1. Plan carefully what you will wear. Choose clothing that can be mixed and matched easily. It may make sense to work around the shoes you are going to wear since bringing a second or third pair can really impact the space in your luggage.
2. Most advice on efficient packing includes the recommendation to roll your clothes to reduce wrinkles. You are still going to get some wrinkles so I advise that you choose clothing with lesser tendency to wrinkle in the first place, which means more polyester blends. Roll those items carefully, then take them out of your bag at your destination and hang them up immediately.
3. Put socks in your shoes, and put valuables in your socks, so you can find them easily. Put your shoes in bags (plastic grocery bags are good for this) to keep them from getting your clothes dirty.
4. Don’t roll up your belt. Instead wrap it around the inside edge of the bag.
5. Generally the last thing to go in should be your toiletries and/or make up bag so you can get to it easily. Pack that at the end nearest the handle.
6. Don’t forget that what you pack to go on your trip generally has to come home in the same space (or less if you do any shopping). Your dirty clothes will take up more space if you just toss them into the bag, so roll them up as well and pack them just as neatly as you did at home. Grab or bring a plastic bag (hotels usually have laundry bags in the closet) to separate your clean from your used clothes.
7. If you want to speed your way through security consider wearing slip on shoes, and beltless clothing. Leave the metallic accessories at home or in your bag. While you’re waiting in line for the scanner put your cellphone, car keys, and wallet in the front of your carry-on luggage.

I hope this helps make your travels more enjoyable!