What is ok to pack in checked luggage when flying?

[jillianml]

I have read the guidelines from SWA,we havent flown in 13 yrs!I am flying without my DH.It will be me and my DD age 11.We are really excited about our 11 day mother daughter trip!However I am having some real anxiety about all the security procedures,I dont want to do anything to make us look like bad guys!LOL! I am wondering if we can pack sun screen in the aerosol cans?We will use prob 10 cans while on vacate!Also do I need to get a picture ID for my DD age 11? I cant seem to be able to find this info on SW website.We arent going to do any carry on luggage,just checked baggage.We will use our ipods loaded with movies for the flight that will easily fit in my purse!I am aiming for ease of operation!LOL.Also I usually travel with what we call a sick bag.It is a bag full of cough medicine liquid and tons of other meds just in case.If they checked my luggage and threw that out I would prob pass out!So to wrap this up any packing advice would be great!Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and for sharing your experiences with my family .I love this board!Oh I should also mention this is our first trip to Disney!Also we are going 2nd week in June.Staying first 5 days at POP and bay lake towers last 6 days yeah!

 

[Detailor]

I think what you need to do is to visit the TSA website so you'll be familiar with the rules. While there aren't the limitations imposed on what can go in checked luggage that are present for carry-on luggage, there are some things that probhibited - you should probably leave the meat cleaver at home, for instance.

I didn't notice anything from the things that you mentioned that would be a problem, though you may get some notice from the ten aerosol cans of sunscreen. People pack all sorts of things in their checked luggage - from food products to bottles and boxes of wine to a wide variety of personal items. And they're all okay to take but you just need to exercise some good judgement. Ask yourself "if something that I pack breaks open will it damage my things or things in other peoples' bags?" If you answer "yes," it's a really good idea not to take it or to pack it in something that protects and secures in case of breakage.

Go out to www.tsa.gov (look in the For Travelers section) and check the prohibited items list. Also read the Packing Tips at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/pack.shtm

Happy flying!

Dick Taylor

 

[jillianml]

I am literally LOL!I probably would look funny with 10 bottles of aerosol tanning spray! Thanks so much for the info.I will definetely go to the safety website.

 

[TheWog]

You can pack your liquids in the checked luggage. Just make sure you put it in zip lock bags and maybe wrap it. Some times it might leak a bit. The aerosol cans should also be in zip lock bags. If they start spray a bit it can get messy. Good luck.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We're* actually going to advise you TO bring at least a single piece of carry-on luggage. Keep in mind that simply because the airline mandates a maximum size does not mean one's carry-on MUST be that large, or that every member of one's party is required to carry on anything (as the OP already knows ).

Ahem. Carry-on luggage should contain: travel documents, any required medications (especially prescriptions, since in most locations, over the counter meds can be easily purchased), any valuable such as electronics - i.e. camera, cell phone, etc - and whatever items one will need for the first 24 hours at one's location.

Lest you worry, for one person I can fit this all in a bag small enough to fit entirely under the seat in front of me - well, on the way to my destination, anyway. On the way home, the bag has several cartons of cigarettes - no lectures required

*speaking on behalf of a number of anonymous Transportation Board 'regulars' and other experienced air travelers

 

[Carriemel]

On the way home, the bag has several cartons of cigarettes - no lectures required

hehehehe. No lectures, but I can totally picture where you're coming from. My dad's gonna be the same way, with the smokes.

 

[Hannathy]

The 11 yr old does not need ID to travel. Didn't see that one answered.

So that at least is an easily answered, cut and dry question. Children do NOT need ID to travel.

(have to ask HOW long are you going to be there that you would use 10 cans?, I don't think I've used that much in my life )

 

[uva185]

We're* actually going to advise you TO bring at least a single piece of carry-on luggage. Keep in mind that simply because the airline mandates a maximum size does not mean one's carry-on MUST be that large, or that every member of one's party is required to carry on anything (as the OP already knows ).

Ahem. Carry-on luggage should contain: travel documents, any required medications (especially prescriptions, since in most locations, over the counter meds can be easily purchased), any valuable such as electronics - i.e. camera, cell phone, etc - and whatever items one will need for the first 24 hours at one's location.

Lest you worry, for one person I can fit this all in a bag small enough to fit entirely under the seat in front of me - well, on the way to my destination, anyway. On the way home, the bag has several cartons of cigarettes - no lectures required

*speaking on behalf of a number of anonymous Transportation Board 'regulars' and other experienced air travelers

Haha I know what you mean! I very seldom smoke but cigarettes are over $6 a pack up here. US Airways was selling them for $33 a carton on my CLT-AUA flight. At that price I can't afford not to buy them, even if it takes months to smoke the whole carton.

 

[jillianml]

We are staying 11 days.I go a little overboard with the sunscreen.In my defense I am a nurse and it makes me a little overboard sometimes!Also my DD sprays way too much messin around!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, in fairness to jilllianmi - nurse or not - each application is supposed to be one ounce (most people don't use enough, and don't apply it far enough in advance) and should be reapplied after being in water. In addition, the SPF means you can - or should be able to - stay in the sun that many times longer when fully protected than with no protection and not burn. If you normally start turning pink after five minutes, fully sun-protected you should be able to stay in the sun for, um, two and a half hours with a 30 SPF sunscreen.

I can certainly see how an eleven-year-old can 'overdo' the spraying

 

[bumbershoot]

Further with what kaytie was saying...in the carryon, if you're arriving in the daytime, you should bring some small (100 mL or less) tubes of sunscreen, so you can protect your skin right away. That would go in the 3-1-1 baggie, and each of you is allowed a baggie.

If swimming might happen that day, pack swimsuits. etc. The basics that you might need that day/night, that is allowed in a carryon.

 

[Alesia]

You should definitely take a carry-on with everything you'll need for the first 24 hours. It is not uncommon for airlines to misdirect your luggage. My husband has flown 3 times and his luggage has been misdirected twice.

As previously noted, you will also need to put any valuables in your carry-on, as well as your travel documents.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Further with what bumbershoot was saying , minimus.biz and Avon might have sunscreen wipes. These aren't restricted by the TSA - they're semi-saturated disposable cloths, NOT liquid, so you could bring as much as you want. They tuck easily into corners, crevices, luggage pockets...

 

[happymommy]

Definitely bring ANY medications in your carry-on. I bring epi-pens, Benedryl, a nebulizer, Xopinex, inhalers, etc...

The Benedryl, even a large 8 ounce bottle, does NOT have to be less than 3 ounces, as all meds don't. Keep them all separate, and let them know at security that it's all meds. It'll be okay. It doesn't count as a carry-on by the airline, either. I keep all prescriptions in their original container with the Rx number as well. I would not check medicine, just in case.

Wow - we don't use that much sunscreen ever! But, maybe I'd bring less and buy some as you need it? That is a lot of liquid. If you do pack any liquids, I agree with putting it in ziploc bags, and double bag! You don't want any spills in your bags. I also bring a box of ziploc bags for the return flight.

 

[Sandy51]

I always pack a change of undies in my carry-on. Several years ago, my suitcase wasn't delivered until late the next day, but DH had his. I had to sleep that night in one of his t-shirts.


Sandy

 

[bumbershoot]

You should definitely take a carry-on with everything you'll need for the first 24 hours. It is not uncommon for airlines to misdirect your luggage. My husband has flown 3 times and his luggage has been misdirected twice.

And here my hubby was feeling bad b/c his bag has taken an extra 24 hours to reach him twice in a year (more than three flights). I'll tell him that he is not alone.

I had to sleep that night in one of his t-shirts.

Aw, that doesn't sound so bad.

 

[jillianml]

Wow!Thank you everyone,I feel so much better about packing now!Great advice!The minimus.com website is fabulous!I think I will pack a carry on now,just not quite sure what to do with it if we cant get into our disney hotel when we first arrive,if our room isnt ready.

 

[Alesia]

I think I will pack a carry on now,just not quite sure what to do with it if we cant get into our disney hotel when we first arrive,if our room isnt ready.

You can just leave it with bell services