Get the most from your carry-on bag

It is possible to pack fashionable clothes in an efficient way. Some tips from the pros:

_CHOOSING A GOOD BAG

Wendy Perrin, consumer news editor for Conde Nast Traveler, uses a standard rectangular-shaped bag with wheels for business trips because clothes are less likely to become wrinkled. For recreational travel, however, she prefers soft-sided duffel bags.

"One way to pack play clothes to fit into space more economically is to roll them and stuff them into a bag like cigarettes into a cigarette box," she says.

Perrin doesn't buy into bags with a lot of compartments, mostly because all those zippers, flaps and folds add unnecessary weight. Instead, she separates undergarments and socks into one zip-top plastic bag, tech gear such as cords and batteries into another, and toiletries all in yet another. (Any liquid needs to be stored in a see-through bag.)

"You want to start with the empty cavern and make your own compartments with smaller packs," agrees travel-gear store Flight 001 founder Brad John

John says that you might be asked to open carry-on bags during a security check. It will go much more smoothly if items are organized than if everything comes spilling out.

But Deborah Lloyd, co-president and design director for Kate Spade, insists her bag has a roomy outside pocket for easy access to her laptop computer, which is kept in a protective sleeve, and her magazines.

Carry-on bags tend to be treated more gently than checked bags so Lloyd says there is an opportunity to choose more of a fashion-forward bag than basic black. Plus, she adds, a bright color or graphic print — she's starting to use a black-and-white pattern bag with black patent leather stripes — will make it easy to find your bag in the overcrowded overhead bins.

Also, be mindful of your airline's size limit for carry-on bags. American's, for example, is 45 linear inches.

onebag.com is great site for ideas. He doesn't like wheels, likes compartments. I have to check a bag since one of my carry-ons is my CPAP machine. The other reason is I like to carry swiss army type knife, etc. That has to go in checked luggage. Though I do want to down size the checked bag

Tom

I roll my clothes. I've tried other techniques but like this best (so far). I hadn't heard the analogy of packing them like cigarettes. That's essentially what I do, but I'm non-smoker so never thought of it that way.

Ron,

I find strange that you couldn't take your brush in your carry-on. There are no such rules about brushes, they don't have anything sharp in them. I take my Nissan thermos (empty) in the airplane every time I travel and never had a problem. As long as it's empty TSA shouldn't have any problems with it. I open it and show it to them and they never questioned me.
I would file a complaint.

Ron, I think you win with the story of the strangest behavior by TSA.

I could understand that someone may have wanted the expensive hair brush...but toothbrush and empty bottle?

I always bring cheap stuff: inexpensive plastic folding hairbrush, cheap travel toothbrush, All light weight and no big deal if lost or confiscated. Unfortunately, I bought a couple of small compact razors but unfortunately the blades are not allowed in carryon. Back to disposables.

Ron, maybe they were making a voodoo doll and needed some of your hair from that brush. Felt any sharp pains lately?