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Let's face it: The airlines aren't doing much these days to make air travel easy. The most recent irritation is the fee to check luggage, which has upped the amount of carry on luggage people are dragging into the cabin with them. I'm not a carrier; I always check my bag, even if it costs me. In my mind, it's worth paying the fee to avoid wrestling my suitcase into the overhead compartment. I'm all about streamlining what I carry, particularly when I'm traveling.
But I also know that luggage sometimes goes missing; I went to Austin this spring, but my suitcase took a detour to Las Vegas. Fortunately, I had all the basics in my carry on and was able to maul through the 18 hours until my bag showed up. The trick is to think about what you cannot live without and pack only that in your carry on.
What do you need in your carry on bag? Here's my list.
Laptop, camera, cell phone. I'm not checking these -- no way.
Laptop and cell phone chargers. I pack the charger for my camera's battery, though. I can always grab a disposable camera at the other end, but if I don't have my phone charger, I'm out of luck.
Glasses or contacts. I typically wear my glasses when I fly, but If I'm wearing my contacts, I toss my glasses in the bag. Or if I wear my glasses, I carry a pair of contacts, so that I can pop them in at my destination.
Advil. Because travel can be a big headache, and the last thing you want to do is spend $8.00 for four Advil in the airport. Pack whatever brand or sort of pain meds you prefer, but keep them in the original container; otherwise, you may run into trouble at the security checkpoint. I love the little envelopes of Advil -- no messing with a big container. Perfect.
Prescription medication. Again, keep these in the original packages, with the pharmacy info on the containers. Put all these in a quart-sized ziplock bag and get ready to toss them into the bin at the security checkpoint.
A change of underwear. Go ahead and laugh, but I'm serious; if you have to spend the night somewhere en route, or if you arrive but your luggage doesn't, clean undies can make a world of difference.
Toothbrush and toothpaste. Again, if you make it to your destination but your luggage doesn't, a toothbrush can be a lifesaver. Just remember to take a travel-size tube of toothpaste, and to pack it in a quart-sized ziplock bag.
Lip balm and hand cream. The pressurized cabin can suck the moisture right out of your hands and lips. Make sure your tube of hand cream is 3 ounces or less, though, or you'll lose it at the checkpoint. Of course. Bonus: If your luggage goes missing, your hand cream can double as face cream, at least for a night.
Sweater or light wrap. Even in the heat of summer, airplanes can be cold. Toss a pashmina or thin cardigan into your bag, just in case. Bonus: I wrap my camera in my pashmina to cushion it in my bag.
Identification, credit card, cash. I leave my debit card at home when I travel, because my credit card is easier to deal with if it's lost or stolen. I also carry my passport for airport check in, because it's easier to get in and out of my bag; I have a big pocket inside my bag where I keep my passport, and I never have to take my wallet out (and risk losing it in the airport). Don't just toss your whole gigantic wallet into your bag -- unless you're really going to write a check while you're traveling, you don't need your checkbook.
For complete TSA guidelines on carry ons, check out the 3-1-1 guidelines.
Still want to carry your suitcase on the airplane? Everyone Loves to Travel has the scoop on carrying. But you'd better hope you're not sitting near me -- I will most certainly roll my eyes at you and your gigantic suitcase.
What are you bringing to BlogHer? Here's a peek at what some of you are packing.
Grace models her dresses (I love the one from Anthropologie.
Laurie went with a list (so organized).
