Choose well when carrying on

Tag : Elbow Jacket

Lynne Johnston thought she had figured out how to carry on - untilher carry-on was carried off.
Because of old experiences with lost luggage and the new fee forchecking luggage, Lynne liked to bag the checking and use herfaithful suitcase on wheels, which in the past usually fit in theoverhead rack. When it didn't, an agent at the gate checked it andLynne picked it up on the Jetway when she deplaned. But times havechanged.
As she boarded a flight to Boston, an agent actually used thatmetal kiosk that says if your bag doesn't fit, you'll have to checkit. Most of the bags didn't pass the size test. The agent delayedthe flight while she tagged the luggage. But instead of arriving onthe Jetway after the flight landed, the bags went to baggage claim.Except for Lynne's. Her bag had other plans. It didn't show up fortwo days.
With lost and damaged luggage increasing at alarming rates,checking a bag can cost you more than the new fee. And with the bagpolice checking sizes at the gate, you can lose it there as well.So what can you do to make sure you're left holding the bag?
According to travel agent Judy Barr, it's still possible to carryon your luggage, but it takes some planning.
• Choose the right bag. Not all wheelies were created equal.Some are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you -although you may have to choose between the bag and your feet. Somewill fit in the kiosk if you unload the outside pockets. When mydaughter Cortney flies, she only puts her laptop in the exteriorpouch, which she removes before she boards the plane. Courtney sayswith a little elbow grease her bag fits the bill. Other travelersfind duffels are the way to go. When Jeff Kinney flies, heorganizes his wardrobe in Eagle Creek packs. His shirts go in oneand his pants in another. Underwear and socks fit in the smallersquares. And they all fit neatly in a duffel that easily fits ineither the overhead rack or under a seat. Jeff says his clothesstay neat and unpacking is a breeze.
• Choose the right wardrobe. Nancy, my old flying partnertravels, limits her wardrobe to a few neutral outfits that fit intoa small carry-on bag. She adds a couple of scarves for color andleaves her jewelry at home. A jacket doubles as a robe and swimsuitcover-up. Her travel clothes are made from easy-care nylon thatwashes and dries in a night. What most people pack for a three-daytrip, Nancy packs for a three-week trip.
• Choose the right products. When Jean Cowden travels, shepacks her one-quart plastic bag with 3-ounce bottles of productsshe can't purchase on the road. For the rest, she depends on hotelsand strip malls. Most hotels stock personal hygiene products liketoothpaste, mouthwash and shampoo. Leave the appliances at home. Ifhotels don't have hair dryers in the rooms, they're usuallyavailable at the desk.
Air travel isn't getting any easier. I suspect it won't be longbefore the airlines charge for the baggage you bring onboard. Whenthat happens, you can bet travelers will take "carrying on" to awhole new level. And it won't have anything to do with one smallbag.
Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant formore than 30 years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com .