Checking a small bag?

[MommyMK]

Not really disney related, but we are going to be embarking on an Alaska cruise soon and the list of things to pack is long. Since we'll be on a cruise and with kids I like to pack any matter of medicine we may need which fills a good sized shoebox and adds up to quite a bit of weight. Rather than packing this in my large suitcase, I'd like to put it in a small bag and check it by itself. We are flying Southwest, so paying for the checked bag is not an issue. I'm just worried about a small bag getting lost on the plane or somewhere along the way with all the huge suitcases. Has anyone checked relatively small bags? I'm traveling solo with two kids so there is a real limit to how many suitcases I can handle. This is something that would sit on the handle of my suitcase so easy enough to wheel around. Looking at checking something similar to this:
http://www.ebags.com/product/samsonite/aspire-gr8-boarding-bag/273761?productid=10302707

 

[shoes99]

I've checked something similar and had no problem at all. Just put a zip lock around the handle so it doesn't get stuck on any other larger bags.
You will see all sizes of checked bags, it might even be put in one of those plastic bins before the handlers put in on the conveyor belt.
Again, we had no problems checking a similar tote.

 

[rwdavis2]

The last thing you ever want to do is check a bag containing medicine. What if t gets lost or the medicine stolen. Always put meds in a carry on.

 

[minnie mum]

The last thing you ever want to do is check a bag containing medicine. What if t gets lost or the medicine stolen. Always put meds in a carry on.

While I agree completely, if we're talking about prescription drugs, that's not really a concern for OTC meds. I do have to wonder at the size of the bag the OP is packing just for meds, though, unless the kids have an illness requiring such a large amount. I've packed a med bag for DH and I for a 3 week trip to a 3rd world country that was about a third that size.

OP, consider going to Walmart and getting some small sizes of your usual OTC meds. Just enough for a few days. Worst case scenario, they have drug stores in Canada and Alaska. Then you won't need that extra bag.

 

[FigmentSpark]

One other thing to consider... make sure whatever you're bringing in OTC meds are legal to transport across the border. They're probably fine, but it pays to be sure.

If you need prescriptions, make sure they are in their original containers with the prescription on it (pharmacies will usually make up an extra empty bottle for you to take travel meds in).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

One other thing to consider... make sure whatever you're bringing in OTC meds are legal to transport across the border. They're probably fine, but it pays to be sure.

If you need prescriptions, make sure they are in their original containers with the prescription on it (pharmacies will usually make up an extra empty bottle for you to take travel meds in).

OP is traveling to Alaska.

 

[FigmentSpark]

OP is traveling to Alaska.

Doesn't that mean the OP is also going through Vancouver and therefore Cdn customs?

 

[MommyMK]

Thanks all. We are cruising out of Seattle, so no customs needed. I think I may just end up putting the liquids in my checked bag and carrying on the rest. I am traveling with a husband who is prone to motion sickness and in general has tummy issues while traveling and 2 kids who are prone to motion sickness and who require liquid meds and those bottles take up a lot of space! If it was just me I'd get by on a lot less. And after paying $10 on a cruise ship for a bottle of visine on a previous cruise I like to be prepared.

 

[bumbershoot]

And after paying $10 on a cruise ship for a bottle of visine on a previous cruise I like to be prepared.

The last thing you want to do is put those medications into checked luggage. What if the whole bag is delayed or lost?

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption

You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag. Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You are not required to place your liquid medication in a plastic zip-top bag.

 

[MommyMK]

Thanks. None of them are prescription meds and all could be replaced in a 20 min shopping trip at any chain pharmacy so I'm not super concerned. Any bag that gets lost is an inconvenience, but I can't carry them all on either.

 

[bumbershoot]

The rule I linked to isn't only about prescriptions.

What chain pharmacies will you go to onboard? We went to a pharmacy in Juneau in 2003 and it was nearly the cost of things onboard. And we had to wait to get to Juneau.

 

[MommyMK]

Bumbershoot we are spending 3 days before the cruise in Seattle so if the bag were lost or delayed I would be able to replace the items then.

 

[charmed59]

3 days in Seattle? Why not hit a Walgreens there. Get the smallest size possible. Anything you open you leave behind, check the sealed liquids on the way home.

That said, I often check my carryon size bag when I'm in no hurry on the other end and it's heavy. Never had a problem with them coming through. I'm planning on checking a small suitcase with a full set of stainless silverware come August. My daughter wants my old set of stainless. That's the cheapest way to get it there. (I have enough miles that all my luggage is free.)

 

[MommyMK]

I wanted to get everything ahead of time so I know it has a place and bag to hold it in. Also plan on returning anything we don't use and I don't need at home right now.

 

[NotUrsula]

One of the things that I've done for traveling with just-in-case children's OTC meds is to buy the infant formulations when available. They are more concentrated, so they take up less space. I don't do this with things I know will be used, such as Dramamine for a kid who gets motion-sick, but for those things you might not need but want to have JIK, it's a great option.

MAJOR SAFETY CAVEAT: Make yourself a cheat-sheet of the actual recommended dosage in mg. of the active ingredient, and do the calculation for the volume amount that equals the correct dosage. Put it on your phone so that you always have it. It is extremely easy to overdose a child when switching formulations, as they use different concentrations. Ask your ped for the proper dose in mg, and calculate it out for your child's weight based on the formulation you are using. For example: ibuprofen. Infant formulation is 50 mg per 1.25 ml, while the children's formulation is 100 mg per 5 ml. So, if you wanted to give your child 100 mg, you would either give 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of the infant version, or 1 tsp (5 ml) of the children's version.

Also, on trips when I need to carry OTC meds like this, I put them in a packing cube inside my checked bag, and I separately bag each liquid bottle in a ziploc in case of leaks caused by pressure changes. A small packing cube makes a good meds/1st aid box.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I ziploc every liquid for the plane. Had shampoo in my toothpaste one too many times and have learned. Good tip on the packing cube. Also, dollar stores sell makeup squares and lunchboxes that will do in a pinch. I've also used padded dollar store lunchboxes to store electronics I want to give a little extra care.