Packing Tips: Tried and True
I'm an overpacker. I read the missives about how to pack less, but my adage is, better safe than sorry. Here are some things I've found that help when I'm packing to deal with my excess.
With the number of allowable pounds per bag dropping, for instance on Sky Bus it's 50, if you are going to be buying souvenirs, presents and great deals you can't pass up while on vacation, pack an extra duffle bag. This way, if you get to the airport and find out you are overweight, you can unload some of the items and repack them in your extra bag. Last year, I used this method in the Denver airport. I have no qualms about repacking at the side of the check-in line.
- When packing toilet paper, take out the tube. That way it squishes down to a smaller size. Put toilet paper in a ziplock bag though so it doesn't shred.
- Stuff socks into shoes. Put shoes in plastic bags and place them, soles out, at each side of the suitcase.
- Roll up T-shirts as tightly as you can. They take up less room that way. Rolling up underwear works too. Underwear can also fit inside shoes.
- Buy travel size shampoos and lotions so you can throw out the bottles as they are used up. Put them into small ziplock bags so that if they leak you won't have a mess.
Here are some other packing tips from Travel Sense. And one last tip, when zipping up a suitcase, I always find sitting on it helps.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jul 6th 2007 @ 7:49AM
Marilyn Terrell said...
If you're concerned about luggage weight allowances, ditch the wheels and use a backpack, which travels better over cobbled streets, says packing guru OneBag:
http://intelligenttravel.typepad.com/it/2007/02/ahead_of_the_pa.html#more
Reply
Jul 7th 2007 @ 9:05AM
Stan Michael said...
Who in the world packs toilet paper in their baggage?
Reply
Jul 17th 2008 @ 11:25AM
joseph kudner said...
Have you ever been to South Ozone Park?
Jul 17th 2008 @ 11:23AM
Deb said...
Whoa! This is 'AMAZINGLY' STUPID. Yeah a back pack IS a way to 'work it'.
After having 'baggage' transferred from ports the World over--OK I was a 'lucky one' after my Fathers funeral ( living in Berlin,Christmas time, two infants en route to So CA) My 'stuff' came .Business trip to N. Carolina--same .
LEARNING to pack is an art that WAS NOT even described in this redundant piece of GARBAGE.
WHO -- I mean REALLY-- toilet paper---Stay at 'home'...idiots---sssssssh...oops!
Sha la la la la GRINS!
Oct 13th 2008 @ 3:30PM
BBB said...
If your laughing at packing toilet paper and then say your a world traveler, then your world is way smaller than mine!
Oct 13th 2008 @ 10:39PM
jcsh12 said...
Someone whom is obviously full of it!!!
Jul 7th 2007 @ 9:07AM
Jamie Rhein said...
I do. Trust me. There are some places where it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll go anywhere as long as I can take Charmin. Just kidding about the brand.
Reply
Jul 10th 2007 @ 9:52PM
Jay said...
The best way to pack is using packing cubes.
Love my backback for short or long trips. About a 60Liter pack for a week is good.
http://www.ebags.com/ebags/packing_cubes_3pc_set/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=13032
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Sep 10th 2007 @ 12:49AM
MsLoriLove said...
I can only assume that Stan has never been camping. ;)
Reply
Jun 8th 2008 @ 8:58PM
cbct said...
I can only assume Stan has never been to China either!
Reply
Jun 8th 2008 @ 8:59PM
cbct said...
Putting breakables and even liquids in or between your shoes (after first placing in a ziploc bag) will minimize damage, and placing them soles sideways and out will add to the stiffness of the walls of the bag.
Reply
Jul 16th 2008 @ 2:31PM
steven said...
You and others like you should be made to work as a luggage handler for 1 day in August in Phoenix! (Or any other airport at 100 degrees, no shade, and a 700 degree APU blowing at you)Morons like you would then learn you don't have to bring the kitchen sink and the rest of the house with you every time. IF THE BAG IS HEAVY FOR YOU... TRY HANDLING ABOUT 2000 MORE JUST LIKE IT. DON'T PACK 7 DAYS OF CRAP FOR A 2 DAY TRIP!! Next time, pack what you THINK you need, walk around with it 4 hours, then take all the junk you DON'T need out, walk around another 4 hours again, and take more out and it'll be just about right. Better yet, since you probably aren't going to take my advice, GO GREYHOUND!
Reply
Sep 22nd 2008 @ 2:07AM
Sparki said...
I don't feel sorry for you. That is your job. Don't like it, find a desk job, unless of course, you have to lift the desk. You knew when you took the job what it entailed. I'll take what I want when I travel. So there.
Jul 16th 2008 @ 4:33PM
TravelMan said...
To BaggageHandlerSteven,
Love the fact that you want to dictate what people travel with in their suitcases....The day we allow handlers to dictate packing requirements is the day I stop traveling.
What would be nice is to have handlers not steal things out of travelers luggage. Handlers are trusted to move the baggage not remove articles without authorization. (Note: A long time handler confirmed that this happens frequently.)
BTW - If you find the luggage weight limits too great for the hot AZ workdays then perhaps a different vocation is in order.
Reply
Jul 16th 2008 @ 11:32PM
steven said...
I'm not trying to dictate what you carry, just asking for a little common sense, which anymore seems to be all too uncommon with the travelling public. As for baggage pilferage, it unfortunately does happen, BUT, I can assure you, 99.95% of lost items from luggage is from overstuffed luggage popping open, broken zippers, zippers/latches not closed by the passenger which we don't have the time to close, worn out/broken luggage etc, etc, Things completely out of our control! You wouldn't believe the stuff laying around in the aircraft bins, cell phones, jewelery, cameras, I-pods, valuable things which with over 100 bags in the bin, we have no clue which one it came out of. We turn them into lost and found at the Police Dept. But of course, it's just too easy to blame the baggage handlers. Very, very few are thieves like your friend! Think about it, little man, the very LAST thing we want to do is reach into a bag full of dirty underwear!!
Jul 16th 2008 @ 5:23PM
Tom said...
I hand-carried, among other things, an almost empty can of shave cream thru security at Memphis, boarded a ship in Miami, and checked it thru customs upon returning to Miami. When going thru security at Miami, it was confiscated.
Why the discrepancy in security?
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Jul 17th 2008 @ 11:18AM
Deb said...
Idiot. Toilet paper? Stay where you are, No one wants you WHERE EVER ----OMG. What an IDIOT!
Reply
Jul 17th 2008 @ 11:22AM
Jamie Rhein said...
Deb,
Have you even been to a place that doesn't have toilet paper? Plus, toilet paper can double as napkins.
Reply
Jul 25th 2008 @ 8:42AM
nukediver said...
Toilet paper is a no-brainer. I've needed it in Belarus, Papua New Guinea, some Caribbean islands, and even here in the States. Never underestimate toilet paper. Ever. As far as other things, I'm always amazed at how much CRAP people pack. I spend a lot of time scuba diving and doing underwater photography. I've never checked more than 2 bags (each about 35 pounds), and taken more than a small daypack on the plane. You don't need 3 outfits a day and 8 pairs of shoes. Granted, men have it a little easier, and we ladies have to be a little more creative with our wardrobes, but c'mon, do we REALLY need that much stuff??
Reply
Sep 29th 2008 @ 7:58PM
JettSetter said...
Pack for the trip you're taking... I believe that's ultimately the point everyone is trying to make here. Be prepared as best you can, because "you never know". With that said, there is also such a thing as "bloody ridiculous".
12 days into my 2 day trip to Houston, TX. The toilet paper thing came in VERY handy.
Originally the t.p. was brought for the drive from Los Angeles & the inevitable "emergency pit stop" 100 miles from nowhere, as well as some of the gas station restrooms along the way. Reasons enough I'm sure we'd all agree. To those who don't: remember to use your left hand.
Where it really came in handy was about 3 days after Ike rolled through. Then those who criticized the very idea were begging for me to spare a square. Lesson shared and learned, along with a side of humility and embarrassment.
Do I take a roll to London? No. Phenom Phen? You’re damn right I do. As well as driving through the endless deserts, gross truck stops, and of course… Texas sized hurricanes in Texas.
Then of course there’s the anticipated Bladder Reduction Act, because 2 ½ ounces of virtual terrorist pee is way too risky, so you’ll soon have to check you bladder… more for all you baggage handlers out there in the hot sun all day.
Be smart, Pack for the trip you're taking...
Or one day you may find your self doing that dance while looking at http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/289192730_5a6118419f.jpg?v=0