Packing For Short Trips With Carry-On Luggage

Carry on luggage is the way to go when you are traveling for a short trip, whether it is a business or vacation trip. They can be carried on to the plane with you. Don't overstuff your bag. It becomes harder to x-ray and harder for security to search. Popular brands are Travelpro Crew, Briggs & Riley and Tumi Alpha. These companies make them roomy, easy to pack, and popular with busy travelers today. Pack it neatly. Security may decide to hand search it anytime. Then you will have to re-pack so it is easiest when it is neatly packed and not overpacked. Often packing in cubes designed to hold underwear, socks, etc., is a good solution. Any liquids or gels must be packed in a 3-1-1 clear plastic zippered case with bottles or jars of three ounces or less. You may take only one 3-1-1 per person. Additionally, try not to overpack the outer pockets. This will make it hard to fit in the overhead, and you may be stopped by the airlines when the flight is crowded. Try to keep it lightweight. You will have to lift it yourself into the overhead compartment. Make sure that you have an identification tag so it is clearly identified. Overheads are crowded and you may not have your bag directly above you. Initials monogrammed on your carry on luggage are a great way to identify the bag as yours! Do not try to put a small swiss army knife inside your suitcase, or any of the other items on the TSA list of restricted items. This will just slow down the whole going through airport security process! You may also take along a "personal bag" with you. The personal bag needs to fit underneath the seat in front of you, so a briefcase, laptop case, or small tote or handbag or camera bag will work.