No Carry On
Sometimes I look on at wonder when I see how much luggage many people bring on a flight. Not knowing the details—and, let’s admit, knowing it’s not my business—I speculate that some are moving or have months of stay ahead of them, while others have found it easier to bring anything they may possibly need rather than only what they will use.
Me? I travel lightly, carrying only a personal item. The funny thing is that I often do not use every pair of socks, for example, that I bring!
How?
The Bag
With the economy airlines, the listed price excludes all luggage except a “personal item.” Many of us choose to travel with only the personal item. Currently, Frontier Airlines (and probably Spirit) allows a personal item that is 18″ x 14″ x 8″. That’s actually quite a bit of space (2016 cubic inches or 1.2 cubic feet).
You may find a bag or suitable container on your own, but there are web pages devoted to this subject. I found 5 Best Frontier Personal Item Backpacks to be most helpful (after having to pay $99 at the gate for a bag that was a few inches too long).
I choose the “Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Backpack, Black” (to follow suit with the larger Osprey that failed the gate test). This is the ideal bag: passes the size-testing-box hands down, has a zipper that allows the laptop to be pulled out at TSA security without unpacking anything, has many compartments for organized packing, and has a yet unused zipper that allows it to expand an inch or so in depth.
The Packing
What to pack is of course personal and must be tailored to each person. But here’s what I do and it works for me:
- create a list that you can refine over time (I use my smartphone “reminders” app)
- when needed, wash your clothes when you shower (I’m perhaps too committed to this which is why after bringing 3 pairs of socks I end up using only 2 pairs)
- books? consider electronic…real books are wonderful, Kindles are portable, and a book app on a smartphone is something you’d probably bring in any case
- I bring a hand towel, a silk sleeping bag liner, and a pillow case; not sure my hosts always appreciate it, but when I leave, there is no laundry for the host to do!
When the weather allows, I wear layers on the flight, and especially appreciate a down vest that has huge pockets for things I don’t want to fit into my personal item.
Happy travels!