I am looking for some packing tips - flying Southwest

[Spoisal]

We will be flying Southwest to from BWI to MCO in a few weeks. Do they really allow two checked bags per person? If that is the case, I will be checking much more than normal which is nice. I assume there are weight/size limits?

This might seem like a silly question, but can you put things like full size shampoo & other "liquids" in your checked luggage (larger than 2 or 3 ounces)? How do you do this & ensure that your shampoo hasn't messed up your entire suitcase?

Ant airline packing tips would be much appreciated!

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip).....This might seem like a silly question, but can you put things like full size shampoo & other "liquids" in your checked luggage (larger than 2 or 3 ounces)? How do you do this & ensure that your shampoo hasn't messed up your entire suitcase? ......

Yes, you can. I put mine in a sturdy (freezer) baggie and if I am packing shoes, I often put the baggie inside my shoe for a little more protection. Never had a problem.

FWIW, the fewer bags you can take, the better. Have you seen this website?

OneBag

 

[Spoisal]

Yes, you can. I put mine in a sturdy (freezer) baggie and if I am packing shoes, I often put the baggie inside my shoe for a little more protection. Never had a problem.

FWIW, the fewer bags you can take, the better. Have you seen this website?

OneBag

no i haven't - i will check it out now - thanks!

 

[MouseyMin]

I put the bottles in ziplock bags and then put the bags in Tupperware-like containers. They will withstand the pressure if the bags are compressed, so there shouldn't be any leaks. I've been using this method since the liquids rules went into effect, and I've never had one drop of leakage.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Yes, it is true. On SWA, every ticketed passengers gets to check 2 pieces of luggage for free. But, there is a 50 pound weight limit, so be careful. In addition, you get to bring one personal item (purse, backpack, laptop, etc.) and one carry on per passenger. One item goes on the floor in front of you under the seat and one can go in the upper bin.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I usually double ziploc bag my liquids. This learned the hard way....a full bottle of non aerosol hairspray leaked in my bag traveling to my own wedding.

I like the idea of a small tupperware type container to put the items in as a back up. I also will save small-ish size bottles for things like shampoo and lotions. I can then only bring what I need for the trip and throw out the bottles before returning home.

 

[Spoisal]

Yes, it is true. On SWA, every ticketed passengers gets to check 2 pieces of luggage for free. But, there is a 50 pound weight limit, so be careful. In addition, you get to bring one personal item (purse, backpack, laptop, etc.) and one carry on per passenger. One item goes on the floor in front of you under the seat and one can go in the upper bin.

ok great! is that a 50 pound weight limit EACH bag ...or overall?

 

[Mkrop]

ok great! is that a 50 pound weight limit EACH bag ...or overall?

EACH bag

 

[happymommy]

Still, if you can travel with just a carry-on, it does simplify things. I checked bags in December (usually only do carry-ons) and was mad at myself for doing so! We had brought an aerobed so that was in one duffel that we checked, but the bag with ALL my clothes was delayed (I got it at midnight finally, after falling asleep for a couple of hours in my jeans waiting for it).

Waiting at the baggage claim is frustrating to me, as I'm anxious to get going once we land. Also, I don't like how the bags get so dirty (I clean our bags when we get home with antibac wipes inside and out, yes, I'm anal).

So really if you can pack a nice little carry-on and a backpack, it's so much quicker. I do laundry on vacation (every day if we have a condo), so can go for a 2 week trip with just a carry-on. We buy shampoo and stuff at location, and my cosmetics don't take up much space. Wear tennies or your bulkiest shoes, and we just bring one extra pair (or two, as long as they're sandals).

 

[peemagg]

Here is a tip I learned this week from a Boy Scout leader. We just purchased a new piece of luggage and the salesman (the scout leader) gave us the suggestion of spraying the suitcase with tent waterproofing (he says he even sprays down his uniforms with it). This protects both the suitcase from dirt and water which then protect your clothes too. He says if it gets some dirt on it, it just brushes off. We are going to try it.

 

[happymommy]

Here is a tip I learned this week from a Boy Scout leader. We just purchased a new piece of luggage and the salesman (the scout leader) gave us the suggestion of spraying the suitcase with tent waterproofing (he says he even sprays down his uniforms with it). This protects both the suitcase from dirt and water which then protect your clothes too. He says if it gets some dirt on it, it just brushes off. We are going to try it.

Wow - good tip! I guess you buy that at a camping store?

 

[peemagg]

That's what I thought too when he told us. I got a can of the spray at Walmart for under $5.

 

[grafxgirl]

If you are flying out of BWI make sure you have your bags checked and have your boarding passes no later than 45 minutes to your airplane's boarding time. If you are even 1 minute late, they will not let you board the flight.

If you see the attendants pulling people out of the luggage line to check their bags prior to you and it is getting close to your departure time and you still haven't checked your bags. Bring it to their attention! This is what happened to us. We were the 3rd ones in the luggage check line, had our boarding passes ready to go because we printed them out at home, and were standing in the luggage check line 90 minutes prior to our departure, so naturally we thought we had more than enough time. The attendants kept asking for people on other flights. They would pull them out of line and let them get checked. When I pulled one of the attendants aside to let her know how long we had been standing there and that our flight was leaving at (insert time here), she got nasty with me. When she finally did call us up to check our luggage, we were two minutes past the 45 minute mark. They would not allow us on our flight. We had to take a later flight, 4 hours later. We even called Southwest to let them know the problem we encountered at BWI.

I can't stand flying out of BWI because we always encounter problems, I would much rather pay the extra and fly out of Dulles, but my mother-in-law booked those flights.

 

[Missytara]

I learned a few things about HOW much to pack in the ten years since I started doing some real traveling.

I wear my heaviest pair of shoes (the sneakers) and pack a light weight pair of sandals and flip-flops that I can pack in a small place.

I pack about one shirt per day plus two extra. I used to pack two shirts per day, but it was too bulky. I now wear my "fresh" shirt in the evening and then wear it again in the parks and I don't care if it gets sweaty, wet, etc.

I pack a large plastic shopping bag or a collapsible laundry bag that takes up very little weight or space, but really keeps things organized.

I layer, layer, layer, so I am prepared for any type of weather but don't have to carry bulky clothes or coats. I pack a lightweight pair of gloves just in case my hands get cold.

I pack travel size of my toothpaste, deodarant, baby powder for my shoes, etc. , so I can throw out the containers as I use them up.

 

[toywaltz]

You can check damn near anything short of an explosive. Guns, knives, sabers, brass knuckles, gallon of milk....all fair game. Laser toner....nope!

 

[backyardponder]

With the 50 pound max per bag, you might want to consider replacing some of your older bags with newer, lighter weight, rolling duffels. The one I got at REI is 6 pounds lighter than my old bag.

 

[ratlenhum]

We pack 2 bags per person for Southwest and I leave the stuff fairly spread out. When we come home, I pack it tightly and the one empty suitcase we have is for souvenirs. It also gives me room to shift things around if one suitcase gets too heavy.

We bought this scale after a neighbor loaned us one. I love it. I weigh everything before we leave home and before we head home. Then I throw it right in one of the suitcases.

SUITCASE SCALE