Pack smart, save time
My mission was a challenging one: I'd pack 12 outfits into one carry-one for eight days worth of activities in Austria. Sure, backpackers do it all the time but I was going on business so I couldn't get by wearing just a few pieces of clothing all week. And with Vienna weather reports indicating lows of 5C and highs of 12C, I wasn't packing my lightest clothing.
I could pull this off. With security, customs and immigration lineups, and a stopover, I would pull this off for the sake of bypassing a few baggage carousels.
First thing's first. Check your airline's carry-on baggage regulations
Here are the rules according to the airlines I'm flying with:
-Carry-on luggage cannot measure more than 21" x 15" x 9".
-According to Delta Airlines, my carry-on luggage must weigh less than 40 lbs. Fair enough. I couldn't hoist more than 40 lbs. over my head to reach the overhead bins anyway. Austrian Airlines weight restrictions were tougher. They won't allow a carry-on that weighs more than 18 lbs. -My stopover is in the U.S. so I check the Transportation Security Administration's list of what's not allowed in your carry-on. Austrian Airlines' list of prohibited items in your carry-on is similar to the TSA's. Disposable razors, a tweezer and travel-size aerosol cans (no bigger than 3 ozs.) are allowed according to their regulations.
My space-saving packing technique
In preparation, I took a packing tip from Homemakers.com readers and rolled my clothes into tight cigar-like bundles. Doing so spares room and wrinkles.
Pants go in first, followed by sweaters and I'm concerned as the small piece of luggage quickly fills up. I glance over at the evening wear that has to yet to make it into the bag and I'm slightly comforted because these items are not as bulky so they won't take up too much room.
I use smaller pieces of clothing like socks to fill in gaps and small spaces, including inside my shoes. I roll up my evening wear and place it in the bag and keep on packing until I'm done... and there's still some room left. Yippee! I add one more pair of shoes -- a practical pair of gold ballet flats -- I resist the urge to throw in another two pair of shoes and I'm done.
My "cheat" is my personal item
In addition to one carry-on piece of luggage, the airlines I'm flying with allow one personal item such as a purse or a laptop bag. This is good news for me because my laptop bag is a backpack with just enough room to tuck away a few more items like my mp3 player, a book, my wallet, passport, itinerary and my toiletries, packed in a clear zip-top bag.
For the flight, I'm wearing heavier items I don't want to pack: A wool coat, a fleece zip-up jacket, a scarf that doubles as a shawl, running shoes and jeans.
Click to continue for tips on how to expedite your air travel...
Page 1 of 2
I could pull this off. With security, customs and immigration lineups, and a stopover, I would pull this off for the sake of bypassing a few baggage carousels.
First thing's first. Check your airline's carry-on baggage regulations
Here are the rules according to the airlines I'm flying with:
-Carry-on luggage cannot measure more than 21" x 15" x 9".
-According to Delta Airlines, my carry-on luggage must weigh less than 40 lbs. Fair enough. I couldn't hoist more than 40 lbs. over my head to reach the overhead bins anyway. Austrian Airlines weight restrictions were tougher. They won't allow a carry-on that weighs more than 18 lbs. -My stopover is in the U.S. so I check the Transportation Security Administration's list of what's not allowed in your carry-on. Austrian Airlines' list of prohibited items in your carry-on is similar to the TSA's. Disposable razors, a tweezer and travel-size aerosol cans (no bigger than 3 ozs.) are allowed according to their regulations.
My space-saving packing technique
In preparation, I took a packing tip from Homemakers.com readers and rolled my clothes into tight cigar-like bundles. Doing so spares room and wrinkles.
Pants go in first, followed by sweaters and I'm concerned as the small piece of luggage quickly fills up. I glance over at the evening wear that has to yet to make it into the bag and I'm slightly comforted because these items are not as bulky so they won't take up too much room.
I use smaller pieces of clothing like socks to fill in gaps and small spaces, including inside my shoes. I roll up my evening wear and place it in the bag and keep on packing until I'm done... and there's still some room left. Yippee! I add one more pair of shoes -- a practical pair of gold ballet flats -- I resist the urge to throw in another two pair of shoes and I'm done.
My "cheat" is my personal item
In addition to one carry-on piece of luggage, the airlines I'm flying with allow one personal item such as a purse or a laptop bag. This is good news for me because my laptop bag is a backpack with just enough room to tuck away a few more items like my mp3 player, a book, my wallet, passport, itinerary and my toiletries, packed in a clear zip-top bag.
For the flight, I'm wearing heavier items I don't want to pack: A wool coat, a fleece zip-up jacket, a scarf that doubles as a shawl, running shoes and jeans.
Click to continue for tips on how to expedite your air travel...
Page 1 of 2
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