My wife is thinking about bringing a Tote bag along with her carry-on instead of a purse. Mainly to keep from having to go in and out of the carry-on to get to munchies, book, etc. What do you think?
Thanks, we leave for Europe in May!!!!! :-)
Jim
I always use our day bag as my tote/purse. I don't like the open top totes. I carry either a small school type backpack, a large messenger bag or a sling bag or a bag that can be carried like a shoder purse or worn as a large waist pouch. It will have my sketch pad, meds, first aid kit, documents and such. There would certainly be room for a small book and a baggie of munchies. Our "luggage" carryons always go into the upper bin and don't come out until arrival.
Jim - I usually put my small cross body purse into a collapsable tote bag for the plane. I put the things I need for the flight (travel pillow, meds, books, magazines, snacks, ipod) in it. When I get to my first desination, the bag usually just gets folded up and put in my suitcase. During the trip I use it as a laundry bag and shopping bag. On the way home, it almost always holds some souvenirs and gifts as well as what I need for the plane. The last couple of trips I used Rick's hideaway bag - I got it on ebags with a discount and free shipping.
I take a tote bag or messenger bag (better if it closes) to put under the seat for my things I want during the trip. I put my purse in that. It is too difficult - and annoying to others - to access your carry-on during the flight.
Have a great trip!
Edit - I use a cross body bag and you definitely want a long enough strap to carry your tote on your shoulder.
Not sure what your wife considers as a purse. But I leave my purse at home when I travel overseas. I take a cross body bag...my bag of choice now is a PacSafe.
I bring a day pack for the stuff I need on the plane, and my pacsafe bag goes in there so I only have 1 small carry on with my other bag that goes in the overhead.
A tote would be fine, but make sure it has a shoulder strap...nothing like NOT having a free hand when traveling...you gotta be ready for anything, like opening a door!
Many airlines will only allow one carry-on. With that in mind, I do use a tote bag for my carry-on. It holds just what I need (and more), is waterproof, has internal zippered pockets, has straps that can be adjusted (in case I want to wear it cross-body), and, most importantly, has a zipper (I secure it with a safety pin). If a tote does not have a zipper, it is begging dishonest people to put their hands inside and help themselves.... Oh, and it also spills when put on the conveyor belt at security checkpoints, in the overhead bin, or under the seat. You can find totes in many, many stores. I got mine online at eBags.
Have a great trip!
I use a daypack for non-travel days. When I'm carrying my bag, however, it fits inside (except, as noted above, on the airplane to keep necessary items handy).
As a useful item, a tote can come in handy. I worry about people who see a tote as a second bag so they can bring more stuff. For ease of getting around (and security from theives), I think it's better to avoid trying to hand carry two bags.
Hi Jim. I recommend : acquire a small shoulder bag, such as Rick Steves' Civita shoulder bag. It is a "personal item" that can be carried into an airplane, in addition to your carry - on bag. For carrying groceries or books or souvenir art items from a store to your hotel room, use Rick Steve's "Pocket Tote". When empty, it can be stuffed into its pouch, the pouch is small and can be put in a shoulder bag.
Like many of the others, I carry a "personal" item consisting of a RS Civita bag, in which I place my cross body purse and other sundry items for the flight. Once I arrive, I take purse out to wear and either pack away the tote or use it on days when we need to carry extra items along with us.
