It's not hard to find suggestions for the "best packing methods" from a variety of sources, but I found these recommendations from a baggage handler quite interesting......
http://globalnews.ca/video/3044712/travel-packing-tips-from-a-baggage-handler
Hopefully the video is viewable in all areas. it was on the weekly travel segment on the morning news here.
Thanks, Ken. I watched it. When they say "Hard-sided luggage" do you think they mean the new ultralight plastic molded? I looked at some of those in Marshalls last weekend.
Remember the old hard-sided Samsonite? Ha, I have one in my storage unit - it weighs about 20 pounds empty, but it is solid as a rock; I use it to store some blankets.
Interesting to hear they prefer four-wheeled "spinners" to two-wheeled. I guess if they're easier for us to handle they're easier for handlers to handle too! But the downsides, I'd think, are the fragility of the spinning wheels and the extra bulk in the overhead bin.
Those aren't problems for baggage handlers but they could be for us. I understand completely their preference for a bottom handle, it helps me too in hotel rooms and such. Thanks for sharing this, Ken.
Interesting, Ken. Somehow the bit about packing your luggage full surprised me!
I do like to have a bottom handle or hand hold as well. Much easier to position.
Thanks for posting.
Spinners look great on really smooth surfaces like those found in airports. On less smooth or even surfaces they don't. Some will tilt for moving on two wheels and that might be a workable compromise between spinners and two-wheelers.
This is all very good for those who give their luggage to the gorillas, but for those of us who like to carry on, in most cases, the opposite of what is recommended here works best.
Some of us have reasons for checking large pieces of luggage.
It might be because we are handicapped and can't do any carry on. We might be bringing gifts for Christmas or a birthday. Perhaps we have a wedding dress packed in there. We might be moving overseas to go to a new job or to school. We might be carrying lots of books for studying. Maybe we went shopping while we were overseas. Does it matter?
So I have to comment on this from a systems engineering perspective. The baggage handler is asking for things that will make his job easier. He is not giving consideration to any other parts of the trip, nor any other uses of the bag other than "checked luggage". Things that make his life easier could be detrimental to other users or uses for the trip. He's going to optimize for his needs Vs the needs of the trip. That's going to result in bad advice. And that's why you need systems engineers, BTW. :)
For example:
When choosing and packing luggage you need to view it from a systems perspective. You also need to determine the purpose of the luggage. Your goal isn't to make the luggage handlers life easier (though trying to work that in helps). Your goal is to pack your luggage in a way that is best for the entire trip.
Love your perspective Cindy! Thanks for your thoughtful contribution.
I'm like Ms. Jo. Living abroad, I don't travel light coming or going -- I'm either taking gifts home to family, or bringing back American stuff for myself. (and yes did travel both ways with my wedding dress.)
Someone had asked on another thread how we spend our time at the airport: me, I spend mine observing people's luggage and seeing what I might covet!!!
Cindy,
I like your perspective too!
But of course baggage handlers are going to offer suggestions which make their job easier, and I'm sure they don't care in the least which packing methods make life easier or more convenient for travellers. Many of the suggestions in that report don't work for me. I use soft-sided luggage (Backpacks) and generally don't have a problem fitting my carry-on into the overhead bin or under the seat. If I were to ever use a wheelie bag, it would be a two wheel model and not a spinner (sorry baggage handlers).
Some of us have reasons for checking large pieces of luggage.
I agree with you although I might just say "reasons for checking luggage." While I am unlikely to change the type of luggage I use because of the "luggage handler's perspective" I now like to check my luggage. I started out in the "must take carry-on or I'm not a real traveler camp" (went hand-in-hand with "must take luggage without wheels.") However as more and more people take too much carry on onto planes and it becomes harder to find space, I have found it oddly liberating to check a bag. As I am always jet lagged etc. and not particularly anxious to save the 15 minutes it takes to start seeing my destination a few minutes early, I have started to check bags when flying to my destination. I also eschew super tight connections, and as I travel solo, find it nice not to have a larger carry on (just my personal item for my cameras, meds etc.) as I wander through an airport for several hours. When returning home, the extra 15 minutes does not bother me at all. Of course, I take precautions to avoid having my luggage lost of misplaced. None-the-less, an interesting OP about a luggage handlers perspective.
Thank you, Ray! I too have converted to checking luggage most of the time, and yes, it is oddly liberating! My bag of choice is a carry-on size spinner that I can manage myself. It has survived many domestic and international flights unscathed. I don't have to stress about overhead space or haul all my belongings into the airport restrooms and cafes. I know my backpack with flight essentials and a change of clothing will fit under the seat. I secretly would like to pack light enought to use only an underseat bag, but I'm not quite that minimal!! In all my years of flying, I have had only 2 instances of mis-routed luggage that I received within 24 hrs. and no lost luggage. Everyone has their own style and what works best for them.
However as more and more people take too much carry on onto planes and it becomes harder to find space, I have found it oddly liberating to check a bag.
An alternative is to go small - travel with an under seat bag only. Bags that are 25 L and smaller usually fit in this category. And yes, it is very liberating when you don't have to worry about the overhead bin! Bonus points - a 25 L bag will be pretty light and easy to travel with. My first under seat only trip was to a wedding*.
I realize that it takes a lot of work to get down to the sub 25 L category. I will say it took just as much planning for me to get to the under seat category as it did when I first started to go carry on only. And you know what? I found that the freedom from traveling under-the-seat is just as exhilarating as when I did my first one-bag trip. I'm not going back.
BTW, I started traveling carry on only because the airline kept losing my luggage. My flights to my parents home always involved connections. The airlines lost my luggage at Christmas 9 years running. Yes, every Christmas 9 years in a row. With a single connection through a major US airport.
Cindy H, what bag do you use for underseat travel? Thanks.
@Sandybwb: I currently use the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote Pack.
In the past I've used the REI Overnighter (no longer available).
For those who go the under the seat route. Do you find that the loss of foot space makes the flight uncomfortable? Given the current seat pitch in economy I think I might be able to do it for a shorter 2-3 hour flight but anything longer would be tough.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm 5'4". I have a bad back so always sit on the aisle so I can stretch my bad leg.
I usually just rest my feet in top of the bag. I'll stick my "bad" leg out in the aisle on occasion to stretch it.
Usually the bag is just (barely) narrow enough that I can stick my leg down the side of the bag if I want to stretch.
Honestly- my back is in spasms irrespective of a bag at my feet. It doesn't make a difference for me.
Also - the overhead bin issue isn't as much of a problem on international flights. Sometimes I'll just stick the bag in the overhead under those conditions.
I am 5'1" and appreciate that my backpack is a footrest! Six-foot hubby always requests an aisle seat and doesn't want anything under the seat!!
Cindy, how long are your trips? I generally go for about 5 weeks and think it could be pretty hard to pack in a bag that small. That is especially true as I take one large camera (and for others about to pounce....I enjoy photography and a cell phone does not IMHO take adequate pictures) with 1 or 2 lenses. It would be hard for me to imagine getting that in one bag with everything else unless I did hand washing every night (which I also dislike.) Sounds like a good plan though if you can pack that light. BTW, any idea what is the maximum size bag that will fit under most seats (likely to vary depending on plane but most seats.)
I'm in Ray's and Sandybwb's camp. I pack in a 20" wheeled bag (RS right now, packed < 20 lbs.) and check it whenever possible. Too many people carrying too much on the plane, IMO. On trips (and life) one has to be willing to lose it all. However, on my upcoming trip, because I have two flights broken up by a night to get to my destination, I think I'll have to carry the bag on so I'll have it midway at the hotel. Usually I just plan a 3 hour layover to give the baggage handlers time to handle the transfer. I used to travel much lighter when I was younger, but found I was always missing something and if I purchased something at my destination there was no room for it. So, I am one who has said, several times, I wish I packed more. I don't buy expensive luggage for vacations so if it gets wrecked, I just buy a new one. I haven't had any wrecked luggage yet (knock on wood). While this is an interesting article, I would not pack for the baggage handlers, but rather for me. I'm more concerned with my personal item as I like to keep it small, purse size, but have the necessities with me, just in case. This is just me, Wray.
@Ray - I've traveled for almost 2 weeks with an under seat bag. As we know, if you can travel for one week you can travel for many. And yes, I've done it with winter clothes. I usually bring 4 shirts, 2 pants, a sweater, a skirt, 2 pairs of shoes. When I wash my clothes I bring them into the shower with me. Ive found that easier than sink washing, though I'll do that with undies for sponge bath and non-shower days.
If you bring a DLSR and associated lenses then you'll have a hard time. I'd say it's not impossible but very difficult. Your camera is a choice just like others desires to have more clothes, a full size laptop, etc.
A 30 liter bag is at the upper end of what will fit under most airline seats. This differs by airline. For example, Norwegian Air personal item is defined around 16 L. Southwest on the other hand has a huge allowance. YMMV.
BTW I did pack a 45 L carry on when I went for 5-1/2 weeks to South America. I was taking mountaineering gear (full hiking boots, full rain gear, 2 sets of thermals), jungle birding gear (binoculars), and gear for a cruise. Getting around LANs 7 kg limit was tricky (I put my clothes in my day pack and created a personal item). It all fit in my MEI Voyageur but I packed too much.
Edit: Lately I've need traveling with a "22 L" bag in winter (16 L by my measurements). I suspect that you could get your DLSR gear into a 25 L bag.
Thanks. Will look into some of them. But I am fairly set ("stuck?") in my ways.
For those that like to store their carry-on under the seat, one thing to keep in mind is that some aircraft have some type of metal equipment box under a few seats, which means much less leg room and often no room to store luggage (no matter how small it is). That's one important thing to look for when choosing your seats, but there's one "variable" in choosing seats. Some airlines have two or three versions of the same type of aircraft in their fleet, so one is not always sure which version is going to show up at the gate. The equipment box may be located under different seats between each version.
