Not paying the baggage fees!

[crisi]

I've packed in carryons for years. I can pack for a week in a small duffle. But there are issues - a big one is the lack of liquids. Its fine if I'm good with the hotel shampoo and am not bringing sunscreen. But for Disney, sunscreen usually pushes us over the edge.

We fly Delta and have a Delta AmEx that gives us free bags.

 

[All American]

Fixed the link, sorry for the confusion! Guess all that packing made me delerious

Not Ursula - My boyfriend is using the nesting method for his golf clothes - we had no idea there were so many packing methods besides sitting on top of the suitcase to get it closed

 

[wmharley]

Ugh. On our one and only JB flight we had a ticket agent that was rude to me (I was thanking her for something, but she was too busy interrupting me in a too-low-to-hear voice to hear that I was THANKING her, and she yelled at me), we had a flight attendant that was rude (knocked hubby's hand away from the seatback button, pressed it, and SLAMMED, with his other hand, hubby's seat up), and my TV was broken.

As for choosing seats, many of us prefer to actually, literally choose our seats once we're on board the plane. Many of us have had the experience of having seats *changed* when we get to the ticket counter to check bags...makes the time you spent "choosing" your seat worthless! This happened to me often on the big carriers, and it's been happening with hubby's work travel as well recently.
.

I've yet to encounter a rude person. I've actually had things comped from them. Now I WILL say I've complained about a lack of variety on snacks and got no where with the onlin eCS. I find it odd you got seats changed when you already had them selected. i've not experienced, nor heard of it with any of the family. Do you do online checkin the day or monring of?

Southwest and Jetblue are definitely NOT the same price here in New England. Southwest is always less expensive (at least to MCO) plus I don't have to deal with Logan airport.

Jetblue just annoucned flights to my favorite destination starting in May (sales start next month). Before I'd have to drive to Orlando (1hr) but not a biggie for me. If the prices are the same, its perfect. Of course every airline is YMMV

 

[beansmom]

I call it Jetblue as you can actually eat a variety of snacks and drinks and pick your seat for the same price as being cattle prodded into a group just to be able to carry an extra free bag.

Plus I get TV on teh flight.

yes, we LOVE jetblue..wish they flew everywhere.

 

[jbear'smommy]

I don't pay baggage fees either. We each get 1 carryon. If it can't fit you don't need it. We travel overseas with 1 carryon each also.

 

[eliza61]

I done with the stressing over baggage fees. Sorry, IMO if I'm on vacation and I have a choice between paying the 50 fee and doing laundry or wearing the same pants 3 days in an 8 day period. call me vain, I'll pay the 50 bucks.
I'm heading to europe unfortunately SW doesn't go there and no way am I hanging out in Paris with 1 pair of black shoes. not gonna happen, heck I may need a bag for the shoes I'd love to buy.
I go to Disney in the summer, I like having an extra outfit to change into after a hot sweaty day in the parks. Who wants to wear the same yucky bra and no I don't want to wash my undies in a sink.

Travelling with 2 bags and lovin it.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I used to fly with Southwest, but switched to Alaska Airlines.

Even if AS was more, I would still fly them. Baggage costs and all.

We checked one bag to Disneyland earlier this year. A HUGE suitcase - barely under the max that could be checked.

DH and I are going to Vegas in January (see ticker). We went earlier this year and did carryon only.

I don't like Southwest and their cattle call. Their bags may be free, but you still pay extra if you want to board first. To me, that is just as bad (although it may be cheaper) than having to pay for a bag.

Give me a confirmed seat, and I am happy. If I have to pay to check a bag, then so be it.

 

[melancholywings]

I done with the stressing over baggage fees. Sorry, IMO if I'm on vacation and I have a choice between paying the 50 fee and doing laundry or wearing the same pants 3 days in an 8 day period. call me vain, I'll pay the 50 bucks.
I'm heading to europe unfortunately SW doesn't go there and no way am I hanging out in Paris with 1 pair of black shoes. not gonna happen, heck I may need a bag for the shoes I'd love to buy.
I go to Disney in the summer, I like having an extra outfit to change into after a hot sweaty day in the parks. Who wants to wear the same yucky bra and no I don't want to wash my undies in a sink.

Travelling with 2 bags and lovin it.

I don't know how to read this.
Are you suggesting that people who only use carry on's have yucky bras and wash undies in the sink?

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

for disney, we got an owners locker -- it's about $100 a year and it saves us much more than that in baggage fees.

 

[Cruise]

all this angst over baggage fees cracks me up-we are so obsessed with getting the lowest fare-for flights or cruises or what ever that we have pushed airlines to this-if one airline raised fares 50 bucks a ticket and told you would get to check bags for free-pretty soon everyone would want to fly them so they could check bags for "free". Its so funny.

I've been traveling with only carry on luggage for years. I'd like to see a refund of $50 for every flight I took where I supplemented someone else's "free" luggage.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I done with the stressing over baggage fees. Sorry, IMO if I'm on vacation and I have a choice between paying the 50 fee and doing laundry or wearing the same pants 3 days in an 8 day period. call me vain, I'll pay the 50 bucks.
I'm heading to europe unfortunately SW doesn't go there and no way am I hanging out in Paris with 1 pair of black shoes. not gonna happen, heck I may need a bag for the shoes I'd love to buy.
I go to Disney in the summer, I like having an extra outfit to change into after a hot sweaty day in the parks. Who wants to wear the same yucky bra and no I don't want to wash my undies in a sink.

Travelling with 2 bags and lovin it.

I'm with you. I usually pack one bag JUST for shoes and electronics and cables/rechargers. I have too many liquids ( I CANNOT just use the hotel shampoo, I need my conditioner and my lotions and my hair goop.)

I hate wearing the same two pants for a week. Not going to happen.

 

[MEM]

This is a very interesting discussion and I have found that I'd be fine either way. Currently we check 8 bags for the 4 of us because we fly Southwest. That's enough clean clothes so that DH or I would not have to do laundry. However, we do laundry ANYway because we can't stand the thought of set-in stains in our good clothes. I could do the carry-on only trip as long as I could purchase the toiletries (liquids, that is) at my destination.

 

[eliza61]

I don't know how to read this.
Are you suggesting that people who only use carry on's have yucky bras and wash undies in the sink?

Every article I've read on packing enough for a 8 day vacation in one carry on bag always, always tell you to wash out your undies and shirts in a sink.

The article linked in original post even recommended packing laundry detergent.

The ability to wash shirts and underwear is important to him, so Mr. Johnson brings laundry soap. And because he often arrives at the airport for a flight before the restaurants open, he packs food.Fast-dry apparel isn’t always the most stylish, but it’s lightweight, washable in a hotel room sink and takes up little room.

Sorry I'm vain enough that I don't want to go on vacation with clothes that are not stylish but servicable.

The yucky bra thing is how I feel if I had to wear the same bra after hanging out in WDW in August and then putting on the same bra. So yep, in my world (and my world only) 90+ heat and 90% humidity= yucky unmentionables.

 

[wmharley]

Even if I stay with family who have washing machines, I bring enough undies to last everyday +1 or (+2 in case i expect beach).

You never know if the washer dies or what have you. That's my rule.

 

[bettymae1121]

Every article I've read on packing enough for a 8 day vacation in one carry on bag always, always tell you to wash out your undies and shirts in a sink.

The article linked in original post even recommended packing laundry detergent.

The ability to wash shirts and underwear is important to him, so Mr. Johnson brings laundry soap. And because he often arrives at the airport for a flight before the restaurants open, he packs food.Fast-dry apparel isn’t always the most stylish, but it’s lightweight, washable in a hotel room sink and takes up little room.

Sorry I'm vain enough that I don't want to go on vacation with clothes that are not stylish but servicable.

The yucky bra thing is how I feel if I had to wear the same bra after hanging out in WDW in August and then putting on the same bra. So yep, in my world (and my world only) 90+ heat and 90% humidity= yucky unmentionables.

I can only speak for my own packing habits, but I take enough undies (including bras) to last me the whole trip. Same with tops. The only things I re-wear are shorts/jeans, which as long as I don't spill anything on them or sit in anything yucky, really isn't a big deal (to me).

I can pack for an 7-8 day trip and not have to wear anything icky or wash anything in the sink. It helps that I'm very casual dresser, I wear t-shirts and either jeans or shorts (depending on climate) almost exclusively. Comfortable, easy to pack, easy to mix and match.

I think one of the reasons I can pack so much in the way of clothes is because I don't pack much else other than clothes. Shoes are a huge space waster, for example. Depends a bit on the type of trip but I generaly travel with only 2 pairs of shoes (3 at the very most). I wear my sneakers on the plane and pack my sandles and (if needed) a pair of dress shoes. I also rely on the hotel hair dryer and only need one gadget charger (my cell phone), so I don't have electronic stuff taking up space either.

Liquids is another area that can cause people issues. I bought a bunch of 3oz travel bottles and just fill with my various products (shampoo, conditioner, hair gel) and 3oz is enough to last me a week if I'm careful. My sunscreen and deoderant are both unde 3oz anyway so I just chuck them in my quart zip bag along with my travel sized toothpaste. I don't wear lotion, liquid makeup or perfume so that's not an issue for me either, and I use bar soap so that doesn't fall under the liquids limit. So I can go a week with just what they allow in the quart sized bag.

I realize that for some people, fashion is a huge thing and there isn't anything wrong with that, but just realize that having an outfit for each day (complete with jewelry and matching shoes/purse) is simply going to take up more space and may require the checking of luggage.

 

[FergieTCat]

I rarely check my bag. I use a 21" carryon and a backpack for my personal bag. I usually fly JetBlue, but I've never had an issue with boarding with both bags. You'd be surprised how much extra you can pack into a backpack. Just remember to put your handbag into the backpack.

 

[NotUrsula]

Every article I've read on packing enough for a 8 day vacation in one carry on bag always, always tell you to wash out your undies and shirts in a sink.

The article linked in original post even recommended packing laundry detergent.

The ability to wash shirts and underwear is important to him, so Mr. Johnson brings laundry soap. And because he often arrives at the airport for a flight before the restaurants open, he packs food.Fast-dry apparel isn’t always the most stylish, but it’s lightweight, washable in a hotel room sink and takes up little room.

Sorry I'm vain enough that I don't want to go on vacation with clothes that are not stylish but servicable.

The yucky bra thing is how I feel if I had to wear the same bra after hanging out in WDW in August and then putting on the same bra. So yep, in my world (and my world only) 90+ heat and 90% humidity= yucky unmentionables.

The thing is, I always hand-wash my bras, and my nicer undies, too. They cost a lot and they don't hold up to the abuse of a washing machine, so I do them by hand. It's no different doing them by hand on a trip. I do bring enough so that I only have to wash them once, however.

At home I set aside time for doing laundry and wash them in the laundry room sink, but yes, on trips I do them while in the shower. I figure I'm wet anyway, and the water is there anyway, so it saves time when I'm travelling. It's especially easy in those parts of Europe where the hotels have heated towel rods; those are WONDERFUL for drying clothing on.

I *never* bring more than 6 changes of clothing no matter how long I'm traveling. I'd just rather do laundry once in the course of the trip than have to haul extra baggage around from place to place.

Some of my travel clothing is serviceable, and some is fashionable. However, when it comes to women's undies, the fashionable kind are usually the kind that dry the fastest. Men's underclothes are a different story entirely, and DH always takes the wicking-fiber athletic type when he travels. They cost more, but they weigh a lot less, take up a lot less space, and are much easier to wash and dry.

 

[Cruise]

Every article I've read on packing enough for a 8 day vacation in one carry on bag always, always tell you to wash out your undies and shirts in a sink.

Like I posted earlier, I've been doing carryon for years and have never, ever washed my underwear or bras in a sink. Personally, the yuckiness for me comes in the sense that someone else brushed their teeth over that sink...ew.

Whether it be staying with friends, at a B&B, at hotel, or even finding a local laundry mat, if I wash clothes while traveling, it's in a machine. I use the time to write postcards or read up and plan for the next leg of my trip.

One of the best memories I have of Paris is going to a laundry mat and having a local have to show me how their machines work. There was a central control "station" on the back wall of the room where you put in your money and programmed the machine instead of it being a place on the actual machine.

 

[ilovediznee]

Hi! I haven't flown in about two years and have a question. I plan to check one bag, and then carry on a purse and small tote with my conference agenda and calendar. This is my question - can I put my makeup case in my tote and bring it on instead of checking it? I have mineral based powder foundation, blush, lipstick and mascara. Is mascara considered a liquid?

I hate checking that stuff just in case something happens and want to be able to freshen up when I get to Orlando before meeting my mom.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks - Diane

 

[Pakey]

I travel only with carryon. I have a 19" Tumi so that it meets international requirements and a tote. I can take enough underwear for 2 weeks and an extra pair of shoes. On my last overseas vacation, I had 12 tops and 6 pairs of pants, a sweater and a lightweight jacket and my pj's and still had enough room to bring home my shopping finds.

My husband has a harder time with it than I do.