Carry-On Only Pointers Please

[Karenann*]

We are carry on wanna-be's! We have always had checked in luggage and carry ons and now with fees for luggage I put a restriction for our June trip-No checked baggage! I really want to reform and travel light so this will be completely new to me as I am an over-packer!

There are 6 of us going for 8 days.
Travellers are Me, DS26, DS21, DD19, DS14, and DS12.

I know if we need to we can check in bag for what we all cannot carry or fit and there are laundry facilities at hotel.

Could you carry-on Pros please share some suggestions and pointers?

 

[Queenbillabong]

We are carry on wanna-be's! We have always had checked in luggage and carry ons and now with fees for luggage I put a restriction for our June trip-No checked baggage! I really want to reform and travel light so this will be completely new to me as I am an over-packer!

There are 6 of us going for 8 days.
Travellers are Me, DS26, DS21, DD19, DS14, and DS12.

I know if we need to we can check in bag for what we all cannot carry or fit and there are laundry facilities at hotel.

Could you carry-on Pros please share some suggestions and pointers?

For eight days?? I wouldn't even try to do just carry on for eight days. Carry-on has to fit a certain size and weight as well and if it doesn't, you'll need to check it anyway. Clothes/toiletries for 8 days would be hard pressed to fit in that small a bag. I barely make it with one checked bag

 

[MCSfromWA]

You can do it!

Our family has been going with carry-on only for the past 4 years (myself, DH, DD 12 DD 15 and DM 77). We have had longer trips and weekend trips. Several years ago I became tired of bringing too many items, many of which we never used on the trip. And I also hated waiting for baggage on both ends. Figure out what you really need. We usually bring a couple of pair of pants, a few shorts, 4 or 5 tee-shirts, underwear, socks, pj's, swimming suit, and whatever personal items we need. I usually roll the items up and put them in gallon sized ziplocks or travel bags, and push the air out of the bag to conserve space. We do laundry in the middle of our vacation. And as far as shampoo/conditioner, ect. ... either we use the travel-sized products or we go to the store when we get there and purchase the bigger sizes (if needed).

Make sure your carry on is the correct size. And don't overpack or put rocks in it. Most airlines allow you a carryon and a purse or a laptop bag. Because of the ages of our children and my Dh need for electronics we still have space for portable dvd players and movies, ipods, and if we are driving once we get there, our gps unit.

Each person brings their own carry-on and btw, through the years I have substituted backpacks with wheels (smaller than many carryons) and my family has adapted.

It is totally doable. And it is great when we are moving through the airport or at our hotel we can totally manage our own luggage. Good luck!

 

[FlameGirl]

My daughter and I fit everything into one carry-on sized bag between us for our most recent 4 day trip, so it can be done if you don't mind doing laundry and wearing the same clothes twice.

Things that can easily be acquired at the hotel or a nearby market, such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste...I leave those things behind at home and only pack liquids that I know I can't find when I get down there.

We had one roller bag, my camera bag, and one extra bag for things like iPods, lanyards, liquids, etc. I try to keep the pockets of the roller bag empty, as that makes it MUCH easier to fit into the overhead compartment on the plane. When the pockets are packed, it really adds to the width of the bag and makes cramming it in the overhead difficult.

I tend to be an over packer, so I lay everything out and if I don't absolutely need it, I don't pack it. There's no magic to being a carry-on passenger. Just take a lot less stuff.

 

[pixiewings71]

Instead of trying to do all carry on, maybe consider shipping clothes and stuff to your hotel directly.....you can each take a smaller bag with a change of clothes just in case, all your entertainment and personal items and then ship other stuff to the hotel. All hotels in the DL area will accept packages and hold them for you. that said I'm sure you can do it! Just pack enough shirts and maybe an extra pair of shorts, take good shoes, wear flip flops, wear a sweatshirt around your waist (or wait until you get there to buy one), take your toiletries. I imagine it can be done.
Also, most hotels have laundry rooms, you can always take less and then do laundry one of your days....some hotels have a laundry service, they will wash, dry, fold and return the clean clothes to you.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're in western WA like me, head over to Edmonds to the Rick Steves travel store. It'll be more than checked luggage fees for a couple flights, but he sells ONLY carry-on sized travel bags, and they are nice (zippers are perhaps a bit flimsy so be gentle with them).

Even if you don't buy them, look at them, and see how relatively big carry-on sized actually is.

If you buy those, or just get properly-sized bags, when you pack, make SURE that at least one of you in the group (preferably two, in case one gets injured) can *easily* lift each bag up over their head to put it in the bin, and then practice getting it back down without dropping it or losing control of it at all. DH had his head hit and leg scraped quite nastily by a lady who couldn't control her bag as she got it back down...very unpleasant end to a flight!

Making sure the bags are *easily* put up and down will also make sure you aren't overpacking dreadfully.

With 8 days and washing machines available, you really only need 4 days worth of clothes, with perhaps one set of really casual clothes for the person who will be doing the laundry, so they can be comfy while waiting for the clothes to be done. Remember to include the expense of laundry and detergent. If anyone is sensitive to normal detergents, bring your own (if I were bringing a baggie of powdered detergent I'd rip off the label from the box top and put it in the baggie)...if it's liquid I'd buy a 100ml bottle from the travel section of the store, making sure there's a sticker with the volume on it, and decant the detergent into that bottle.

Be sure to read the 311 rules for liquids, you don't want ot have to toss something! DH once had info fly entirely out of his head, and went to carry on a bag that held a BRAND NEW bottle of his preferred hair goop, that he'd bought at an extreme bargain. Had to toss it! He was so bummed. And he had time to turn around and check that bag, but he just didn't think about it.

Have fun!

 

[DahliaRW]

You can do it easily. Don't pack 8 days worth of stuff. Pack 5 and do laundry in the middle. If your hotel provides shampoo and such, don't pack it. Otherwise see about buying small bottles when you get there. And everyone in your party should have a bag/rolling suitcase as close to the max carryon size you can get and then they can also have a small bag or backpack as their "personal item". We were able to do a trip with 7 of us for 7 days with one checked item. Could have done it without, but with 3 young kids we needed the free hands! As it was, the only thing in checked was mine and dh's clothes. We managed to pack all 3 of our kids stuff in carryons.

 

[tzeitel]

For ideas on what type of bag you should check out ebags.com. They have a great page with carry on requirements and can look for bags that fit the criteria. They also have the best product photos - and even some videos - that show you how much you can pack. They carry the Rick Steves line - I got the packing cubes and love them - but I like their house brand even better!

 

[jernysgirl]

I think getting to DLR with only carry-ons is easy. It's coming home and trying to figure out how to pack all my souvenirs is the hard part!

I agree with everyone else. Pack light, enough for only part of your trip, plan on doing laundry (don't forget to bring a roll of quarters for the laundry room), and just be flexible. I would suggest bring a tide-to-go pin or some other little stain remover to throw in your park bag, so in the case that any one of you drops or spills something on your clothes, it will not stain.

Remember to pack only mix and match clothing, so you can change up your outfits if you desire. I would wear tennis shoes (or your heavier shoes) on the plane and pack flip flops or sandals since they are generally smaller. Use every inch of your suitcase. If you do pack shoes in your luggage remember to even pack small things like socks and underwear inside of them to use the space. Wear sweatshirts on the plane, instead of packing them, same with hats. You and your DD can use your purses to carry camera/mp3 players/etc. while your DSs can carry a lap-top case, camera bag, or another item in addition to your carry ons.

And throw an empty squishable duffle bag or something else in your suitcase on the way there in the event that you need an additional bag coming home. I have even used a reusable grocery bag for this purpose.

Your kids are all old enough to be responsible for carrying their own bags, so make sure they know that they can only bring what they carry.

Good luck and you will have to let us know how you do!

 

[Karenann*]

Thanks everyone for the ideas and encouragement! It sounds like some careful planning will help get the job done. I'll check out the sizes on-line to make sure what we have will fit.

My kids are all awesome travelers and will enjoy skipping waiting for the luggage at the airport and not having to help me with my stuff!

We have an order from Vons so I can add some toiletries to that.

I will let you all know how it goes...

 

[FourM's]

You can do it! We did carry ons only for our 10 day trip to DW in October. We did have a washer and dryer, so we only packed four or five oufits and did laundry twice I think. I love the Purex laundry sheets,they are much easier to pack then liquid or powdered laundry detergent. I checked the TSA info online for packing liquids and gels and made sure to follow those rules.

I have two DD's about the age of your two youngest kids, so everyone is old enough to cart their own bag through the airport. It might be a different story if you had really little ones. I swear when you do it once you don't want to go back to checking bags. It's also amazing how much less stuff you can get by with.

Good luck, and take all the money you'll be saving on checked bag fees and spend it on souvenirs.

 

[jory29]

The only thing to keep in mind, is that the more things you pack in a carry on, the more time you will probably spend at security, because they may want to go through every bag personally when there is so much packed as carry on.

In our family, we pack 2 carryons (check the rest) so my husband has one bag, and I have the bag with all of the electronics, charger cords, and prescription meds. so they always manually check my bags it seems, even after running it through the Xray machines.

In the long run I wonder if it really is worth it to have all carry on?

 

[DahliaRW]

The only thing to keep in mind, is that the more things you pack in a carry on, the more time you will probably spend at security, because they may want to go through every bag personally when there is so much packed as carry on.

In our family, we pack 2 carryons (check the rest) so my husband has one bag, and I have the bag with all of the electronics, charger cords, and prescription meds. so they always manually check my bags it seems, even after running it through the Xray machines.

In the long run I wonder if it really is worth it to have all carry on?

I've only had a bag manually checked once in all my flying, and it was when I had checked and only had a small carryon. With carryons, never.

 

[AustinTink]

In the long run I wonder if it really is worth it to have all carry on?

Continental charges 25 bucks per checked bag (1st bag). So, for us it's worth it. For our 2 week trip this July we're taking 3 rolling carry-ons for our family of three. And, we will check one large bag.

Continental is already gouging me on the ticket price. I really don't want to give them one more cent if I don't have to.

 

[jory29]

Continental charges 25 bucks per checked bag (1st bag). So, for us it's worth it. For our 2 week trip this July we're taking 3 rolling carry-ons for our family of three. And, we will check one large bag.

Continental is already gouging me on the ticket price. I really don't want to give them one more cent if I don't have to.

Ah I hear you! That is really expensive. We fly in with Westjet, first bag is free per person so we could actually take 4 suitcases if we wanted to for our family of 4. We take 2, it's easier. Also - we fly in from Canada so I assume that's why the security check takes longer, (when we come into your country from another one, they obviously want to make sure we are ok, I respect and understand that.)

 

[clairabell29]

We always only do carry on for our family of 4. Remember, besides the carry on suitcase, you can have a "personal item". This can be as large as a backpack! As long as it fits under the seat in front of you, you can bring it on! We always have 4 carry on suitcases, 1 good size back pack, a larger diaper bag and 2 little kid size back packs. It works like a charm! Sometimes, however, they will check the carry ons at the gate for free. You don't have to do this, but you can if you want. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[bayportkat]

We just cruised on the Wonder and if it weren't for our FE gifts, we probably could have done it all in carry-ons. With the gifts, we did one checked ($25!) and 4 carry ons and 3 personal items for the 4 of us (Me, DH, DD6 and DS8). We did laundry once on the trip!

We used the Lands End bags- Flight Wise Carry On Duffle. It came with a quart size zipper bag with empty containers for the liquids. We hardly brought any liquids- and actually forgot both times to take them out of the bags to put in the separate box for security and they didn't say anything. I love the duffles- worth the price, since we will be using them again for a trip in August and for short local trips.

As for sovenirs- we checked an extra bag on the way home, but had planned on it- I know in WDW you can ship the souvenirs- can you do it in DL? We always do that- may cost a little bit more, but great, especially if you are buying anything breakable!!

 

[kikiq]

A word of caution about "carry on" bags, they are not all created equal. The original carry on was 20 inches.(Think flight attendant bags - Travel Pro) Overtime it has grown to 22 inch. An 22 inch packed full will not fit some airlines' overhead bins no matter which way you put it in. Carry on bags originally were made to be put in wheels first not sideways. Some of the 21/22 inch bags with wheels will not fit wheels in first and have to be put in sideways which means on a full plane, someone's bag will not fit and have to be checked. Depending on the airlines, checked when it doesn't fit in the bins means it will show up at the door of the jetway when you land, and some airlines "check" the luggage and you have to go to the claim area.

Our original carry on bags are 20 inch. We recently attempted to find replacements. Unfortunately, very few decent luggage companies make 20 inch bags. Travel Pro always has them but they are very expensive. We finally went to a 19 inch bag.

 

[hpfan100]

I never check bags. I haul everything on with me. i have a sturdy wheeled carry on bag and a nice tote. to make more room in bags, pack light and take only what you need.

I wear my bulkiest outfits on travel days so they don't plug up my suitcase. I can fit 2-3 shorts, 5-6 tops, undies, socks, cords, batteries, toiletries in the suitcase. In the tote goes laptop, cords, purse, quart size bag, snacks for flight, refillable water bottle, Ipod, movies, book, magazines and anything else I can cram in there . Also, if you buy food at the airport it does not have to fit in your bags and does not count as a carry on item. I like to stop at Paradise bakery before security and get a sandwich for long flights.

You can make it work...no sweat!

 

[fairycat]

DH, my Cloth Diapered 18 month old and I have been able to do one carry on total, on several 4 day trips, it is doable.

1. Mix and Match, you can cut down on clothes if you can match several outfits together. Jeans, black bottoms, and kayki's can match up to more then saying bright colors or patterns.

2. If you need a bulky clothing item wear it for travel- Large coats, boots, anything bulkier, is best worn on the plane not shoved in a suitcase. If I bring two pairs of shoes, the little sandals go in the suitcase, never the bulky tennis shoes.

3. Layer- Light weight layers, are great for the so-cal weather and tend to pack up smaller in a suitcase.

4. Share tolietries- well where it's not gross One tube of toothpaste is good per room, not everyone needs to bring one, do you really need lots of lotions and things, when the hotel will provide them?

5. Step back, you don't need it!!!!!! - I admit even being good at carry on travel sometimes I still over pack. One or two extras are ok for 8 days IF you have the room, otherwise you don't need it. If you are wishy-washy about needing something, or find your self saying "well maybe", leave it at home you don't need it.

6. You aren't traveling to a barren wasteland.- This kind of thinking has helped me more then anything. Honestly if I forget a sweat shirt what's the worse that can happen if the weather promises 80+ degree sunshine and I get 60 degree glum instead? I get a cute Mickey one, is what Realising that I can buy stuff where I go, has helped me cut down a lot.

Saying all this, I will be packing tomorrow for our trip to Europe and Disneyland Paris, and we have to travel super light, due to some of our connections and will be putting a lot of this in use. I hope it helps you some