Packing tips
Assorted luggage and packing hints
- To keep the bulk of your bag down, layer your thick sweaters and coats and such to wear on the plane (you can strip down once seated).
- Some bags have zip-away straps and waist belts that convert the pack into a more respectable soft-sided suitcase for waltzing into your hotel lobby.
- Whatever sort of pack or suitcase you choose, be sure to put a slip of paper with your name, home address, and destination inside each piece of luggage as well as attaching a sturdy luggage tag with a concealed address window to the outside (some criminals peruse visible luggage tags at the airport, collecting the addresses of people leaving on vacation).
- Keep your valuables, not in your luggage, but in your moneybelt.
Get as many tiny travel locks as you have zippered compartments on your pack and daypack. I know that since Sept 11, you're not supposed to lock your bags when checking them in for a flight, but now there's a loophole. You can now buy special combination locks that have a red diamond-like symbol meaning they're TSA-friendly (baggage screeners carry a secret code and a special back-door key so they can open the lock if they feel the need to paw through your valuables and dirty undies). - If you're traveling with others and plan to check your luggage, distribute everybody's stuff throughout all the bags, so no one is left in the lurch should any one suitcase disappear.
- Many bags come with zip-off daypacks, which is an excellent idea (or buy an extra, packable daypack). Keep in it your first aid kit, sections of your guidebooks you stripped out for the day's use, tissue packs, water bottle, journal, pen, Swiss Army Knife, and umbrella.
- Let's see. Besides a waterproof bathroom bag for the toiletries I think that's it.
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This article was last updated in August 2011. All information was accurate at the time.
Copyright © 1998–2011 by Reid Bramblett. All rights reserved.
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