Tips on Flying

[mickey+minnie91]

This is going to be our frist time flying. Any tips anyone can give us on packing. This is a short weekend trip for us and we can pack in carry on luggage. Is it better to do this or check our luggage. Any useful information would be apprecated. We are flying out of Sacaramento and into LGB

 

[bumbershoot]

Check out tsa.gov to see what you can and can't have in your carry-on luggage.

If you don't have picky hair or skin, I'd just go with whatever the hotel has in terms of soap and shampoo; it generally works for me! If you need hair goop (gel, etc) check the containers to see if they are small enough to carry-on. If not, figure out another solution or put the big containers in and check the luggage.

But really, starting with the TSA's info is best. I love doing carry-on only; it's just the hair goop that gets me most times!

 

[evilprncess96]

Roll your clothes for more space. Pack Neutrals or things that can go with multiple outfits to also pack less. Most people (myself included) overpack for almost every trip. If you don't use it on a regular basis at home, you probably won't need it on your trip so you don't have to pack the entire kitchen sink. If you are planning on checking baggage you less restrictions on what you can pack.

 

[mickey+minnie91]

Roll your clothes for more space. Pack Neutrals or things that can go with multiple outfits to also pack less. Most people (myself included) overpack for almost every trip. If you don't use it on a regular basis at home, you probably won't need it on your trip so you don't have to pack the entire kitchen sink. If you are planning on checking baggage you less restrictions on what you can pack.

Oh, rolling the clothes is a good idea! I hadnt thought of that. I am just nervous about going through checkpoints. I have made lists trying not to over pack for the trip. Is it easier to carry on luggage then to check it?

 

[disneymom23]

My husband hates checking luggage and can pack a week's worth of stuff in a carry-on. I always check bags. I usually pack one bag for my girls and one for my son and myself. For even a short trip to DL, we each need 2 pairs of shoes, shorts, t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts. We'll use the hotel shampoo and conditioner but need to bring other toiletries, and I need my flat iron.

 

[GBShorts]

We did this 2 weekends ago and each made it with one carry on and no personal items!

I packed one outfit for every day, wore jeans on the plane, and brought one extra pair of shorts and undies just in case. I packed my clothes by day in space bags so if the TSA decided to go through my bag it wouldn't get all jumbled up or they wouldn't be touching my underwear! (Gag) It also frees up space. If you don't have space bags, you can use those big 1 gallon ziplocs and just squeeze all the air out.

Another thing, don't forget to check regarding liquids on the TSA's website. all liquids must be in containers 3 oz or less and fit within one single one quart bag. When you go through security, pull it out and put it in the tray with your shoes as well as anything that's not paper in your pocket. Keep your ID and your ticket in your hand as you go through the scanner, that's okay.

I even pack my purse in my carryon bag to go through security just so it's one less thing to grab later. Plus, knowing I have that much room in my carry on means I ca put more souveniers in it on the way home!

The other thing we do, and maybe our family is a bit weird, but we take clothing that is about worn out. Socks, undies, etc...and chuck them so we don't have to bring them back home. Are we the only people who do that? Not with all our clothes, just stuff we have that's about worn out. That also gives you more room on the way home for stuff.

I hope I didn't ramble too much. My husband and I fly a LOT so we've picked up on a few tricks to help us get through security and onto planes with less hassle. Best of luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[mickey+minnie91]

Thanks so much! Do they go through every piece of luggage? Oh my. That can take a long timen and the touching like you stated. Do they run it all through a scanner?

 

[bumbershoot]

Checked luggage goes through a hardcore xray machine (as far as I know). Every so often you'll get your bag with a TSA sticker on it meaning they were in there for some reason. But it's not every bag that is checked, not at all.

What's easier depends on the trip, the length of trip, who is going, what you NEED from home with you, etc. I had a one-night trip to DLR in January, and I put some hair goop into a tiny container that had a volume sticker on it (it used to have eye shadow in it, so my hair got glittery LOL), used the hotel's toiletries. Brought a travel size thing of toothpaste, which isn't normal for me b/c we use fluoride-free toothpaste and it's hard to find travel sizes in that. That time for a short trip I just brushed with the industrial waste aka fluoride and it was fine.

Other trips I want my stuuuuuuff so it's easier to check bags!

If you want tips on packing light, check out ricksteves.com. He is the Europe Through the Back Door guy on PBS and they have travel classes at his place up north of Seattle, and he also has a tour business. His travelers can ONLY have carry-on (even his "big" bags actually are carry-on size, and those bags are what we use even when we check bags) for a week or two in Europe, so they have some tips there.

 

[blue donkey]

Thanks so much! Do they go through every piece of luggage? Oh my. That can take a long timen and the touching like you stated. Do they run it all through a scanner?

Only some luggage with be thoroughly examined. All of them, however, will be run through a scanner.

Definitely store your undergarments in a clear ziptop bag so they'll be less likely to be touching them.

Also, I carry my coat & my computer bag separate so that I have more storage space in my carry-on. But the idea of storing my purse in my carry-on is a great tip on making me save room for souvenirs.