Over on Flyertalk, there's a thread where a guy wants to know how difficult it would be to travel on trains with a bag thats 36 x 16 x 16....and then he wants to take a bag that's maximum carry-on sized...as his day bag.
Maximum Sized Luggage
Don't go on and give him a hard time, I just thought people here might like an amusing read. It's polar opposite to what many of us try to do.
When I read the article, I laughed. I just ordered a new bag that's 18 x 13 x 8....just under 2000 cu in of packing space.....and that will hold everything INCLUDING my day bag. Trying to keep it under 17.5 pounds.
Look at the size of that monster! Hell, why not just bring a steamer trunk?
I'm not going to rip on the guy, but... OK, I am. He thinks he needs the extra space to carry winter clothes because it will be cold in Switzerland in July? It might be cold in New Zealand or Patagonia in July...
I'm being careful not to point out where he lives, because that caused some trouble last time I mentioned someone from that state in an unflattering context...
Frank II, thanks for posting that!
When I first read this, I thought it must be some kind of joke, as I couldn't possibly imagine anyone taking that much kit for a 2-week trip. An 8200 cu. in. bag (along with a large Daypack) is a bit extreme, to say the least!
Oh well, he probably won't have to be concerned with carrying it around Europe. Anyone that can afford to pay $6K for tickets can probably afford a Bellman or Porter.
Cheers!
(shaking my head in disbelief)
Oh my. My first time in Europe was with my HS Orchestra and I had a huge suitcase, a regular carry-on AND my instrument case. Since it has been almost 30 years I don't remember if I wore all of the clothes I brought, but I don't recall washing out anything to re-wear. Never again!!!
I will be bringing one less bag with me to London this fall, after having been twice already. The first time I guess i thought it was third-world, i brought mini TP rolls, and every mini toiletry I could find. Then I discovered... BOOTS the Chemist. This trip, I will bring enough for one night (in case i get cancellled or delayed, etc) and then just buy regular sized stuff (same price as minis sometimes!) and anything left can go in my checked bag. It was fun last time, my daughter wanted to use my England shampoo at home, then realized hey, its just shampoo.
We went to Provence a few years ago with some friends. THEY BROUGHT EVERYTHING! I have never seen so much luggage--two great big bags and two large carryons. Then they bought so much stuff, that they had to ship clothes home and buy an extra suitcase. I gave them a hard time and found out they only wore a fraction of what they brought. It was an expensive experience for them, as well as lugging all that from Belgium, to Provence, to Paris.
Another woman I traveled to France with brought all her hair products in super giant size containers. I swear they took up half of her carryone.
I reached a low point about six years. I now pack slightly heavier than that trip. I am back to about 22 lb total in one carryon size bag.
We just returned from 3 weeks in Greece/London with our minimalist travel clothes. My daughter-in-law made the comment that she always takes at least two outfits per day!.....but then she's never travelled to Europe and had to haul her luggage around. And our son is a worse clotheshorse then she is.
I vow to get everything in one bag on my next trip -- came close this time, but not quite....my husband and I shared the 3rd bag. For part of our trip, we were on a tour, and I'm sure those people got really tired of seeing our same clothes over & over. But we took less luggage that almost all of them.
Wow!!!
If anyone here is registered on that Forum, perhaps someone could suggest that the individual in question have a look at this site and Rick's packing methods. Perhaps this is just a question of "education"?
Holy Beejeezus! That bag is more than twice the size of the one I lived out of for a year straight when I had to pack clothing for winter, spring, summer and fall, and this guy is going to Europe for just 2 weeks!
He mentions he sweats a lot and doesn't like to do laundry. Maybe he should spend $6 on some 'clinical strength' Speed Stick deodorant and he won't have to pack so many clothes.
I once carried a 7000 cu-in Dana Design pack for six weeks in Africa. My clothes were minimal--just four changes. I needed the space for medical and other supplies I was taking. It was not full. I had room to put my carry-on camera pack in it once I landed and lots of space for items I returned with. But knowing how huge that pack was, I know this even-bigger duffel is a monster. Maybe he should ship his F-250 over to haul it in instead of traveling by train. That wouldn't cost much more than his 6K ticket.
This thread brought back memories of a camping trip through the Sinai desert many years ago. We were a large group (2 busloads) of 20-somethings. Most of us packed minimally, but one guy had lots of gear, including a sheet and an inflatable base for his sleeping bag and pajamas. He had a clean shirt and underwear to put on every evening after a hot, dusty, sweaty day of hiking and a quick swim or shower. At first we made fun of him, then we wished we had more clean clothes. And when we slept on rocky ground, he was the only one who got a good night's sleep. By the end of the week, we all admired him!
His attitude was that all his gear was loaded on the bus, he didn't have to shlep it, so he took everything he could possibly need. If he'd been obliged to carry it on his back, he would have had the lightest pack of us all.
Are the folks on that website in a parallel universe?
I can just imagine trying to make a 2 minute train connection with that monster...
Chani, yes, that is a parallel universe and website. The leader, Steve Ricks, has a series of books called, "Europe through the Wide Door" and his motto is "Bring it all!" He's often shown in pictures wearing a morning suit and top hat, surrounded by 6 porters. Don't be alarmed by his riding crop. That's not for the porters but for the mule team with his luggage. Questions on his site range from "Can I bring less than 12 pairs of white shoes?" to "How long will it take to disembark from my private jet at CDG?"
How about, "They just don't make steamer trunks like they used to."?
Karen,
Thanks for the laugh. I love it!
I once traveled to Aspen for 5 nights and took a bag that weighed 100 pounds, a hanging garmet back and a back pack. I'm sure glad I discovered Rick before going to Europe. I took 1 carry on that weighed 21 pounds & a day pack for 3 weeks.
