Lighten your load -- not your wallet -- when flying

Tag : airline socks

Travel in your future?
If so, expect to shell out some extra bucks if you intend to checka bag. Some airline carriers are either charging for checked bagsor have plans to do so. Charges are $15 for one bag, $25 for two.
So what's an already cash-strapped traveler to do?
Learn how to carry on correctly.
Whether you're leaving town for a weekend jaunt or a week at thein-laws, it is possible to take all you need on board, says packingguru Doug Dyment, whose Web site, onebag.com, gives tips on how tomaximize your carry-on.
He should know. Recently, Dyment spent two weeks traveling inMoscow and Delhi. He did it all with the one carry-on bag.
Sound impossible?
"It's really not even that difficult," Dyment says. "It's just amind-set and learning to do it, and then learning how to do it."
1. The bag
For most airlines, a carry-on should be no larger than 45 inches.There are some smaller exceptions. Shoot for soft, high-industrialnylon fabric bags. And it should be as rectangular as possible.Every curve that's in your bag was made to look cool, not hold morestuff, Dyment said. So look for a bag with soft edges, like RedOxx's Air Boss. It's a 5-star-rated bag that can easily handle allof your stuff. Find it at www.redoxx.com.
2. Know when to roll 'em
The common practice of individually folding items of clothing, thenpiling them in your bag, is a no-no for packing. Many opt forrolling clothes as thinly as possible and lining them up in thebag. If you're worried about wrinkles, Dyment suggests a techniquecalled "bundling," which involves wrapping clothing around a pouchfilled with socks and undergarments. It's the best way not toarrive with a wrinkled mess.
3. Choose items wisely
Limit the amount of clothing you need to pack by choosing a uniformcolor scheme, Dyment says. Sticking to no more than two(compatible) colors ensures that everything matches. If you're afashionista, pack plenty of accessories to jazz up your limitednumber of outfits.
4. Shoes
Take two pair, including the ones on your feet. This could be atough pill to swallow for some. But really, how much attention arepeople paying to your shoes? Wear the bulkier pair on board.
5. Toiletries ... size matters
When it comes to carry-on, the Transportation SecurityAdministration still restricts the size of personal-hygiene itemsand cosmetics you can carry on. The best solution is to opt fortravel-size toothpaste, shampoo and soap. They're easily found atmost drugstores and most priced under $1.
Extra tip: Create a packing list that specifies the amount ofclothing and other items you will pack. The list isn't so muchabout which slacks or blouse to carry, but a contract with yourselfthat says you'll never take more than what's on the list. To get anexample of a packing list, go to Dyment's Web site, www.onebag.com.
Tips from travelers
"I roll all my shirts the thinnest way possible. I paid the $50 feewhen I overpacked once -- never again."
-- Laura Barrs, 39, of Seminole, Fla.
"We put things in shoes, all the socks and private stuff go inthem. And I do have everything laid out on the bed, then I packfrom there."
-- Peggy Langenfield, 39, a wife and mother of 7- and 9-year-oldboys.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service,http://www.scrippsnews.com)