The Pesky Personal Item (British Airways)

I assume this is a soft-sided messenger bag that you can easily fit under the seat in front of you, which is what the airline wants to see. You'd have to stuff it pretty full before it really exceeds 16 inches.

The Tom Bihn Luminary fits your size requirements. It is slightly smaller than the Synapse 19 which I have and love. Their website has a forum where all their bags are discussed in great detail.

Hi Laura, yes it is a soft-sided bag. I looked at backpacks, but none seem big enough or sturdy enough. Then I found one, a sling backpack by Rite Trak, exact dimensions, but it seems was smaller than the messenger bag.

Hi Carole, thank you. I will check the forum for bag suggestions. My main concern was whether BA was very strict. I think I will be fine, but it would really bite if someone told me "No" and I had to check my carry on. :-/

ETA: Just looked at the Tom Bihn, looks like a good choice too. I looked on their site and also The Makers Bag.

Is a backpack easier? I am looking at cross-body and sling bags also. I am still on the shelf about a backpack.

We went to Ireland on a 9-day hiking trip so I needed a nice looking backpack that would work for hiking and city travel. The Synapse 19 was perfect since all I had to worry about was my Rollaboard in the Tube, trains, etc. It was so nice to have less to carry and handle and it was not too heavy on my back. I lined up the zipper pulls and used the Nite-Ize locking carabiners to deter pickpockets and the bag was very secure. Whichever bag you choose I would recommend trying to utilize the locking carabiners so that your bag is secure even when you are distracted.

The Tom Bihn bags are not inexpensive but they are so well-made that they will last a lifetime. The zippers and fabrics are extremely sturdy and you choose the fabrics, colors and lining.

i do like the Tom Bihn bags! Already browsing. The bag I like is 6.5 inches deep, so not sure if that will sneak by or not. I hear it all depends on the BA attendant... Looking at the other bag now.

After you use it as your personal item, will this be your day bag?

The Makers Bag looks nice, I've looked at it several times. The thing that bugs me about it is that it does not have a zipper closure under the flap. That just seems like an invitation to a pickpocket.

Hi Pam thanks for the reply. Yes, I did plan to use it as a day bag and did not notice it did not have a zipper, just he clasp. I will have to re-think this as I really liked it :( Bummer! I do not plan to put my wallet or passport in it, I bought something to wear around my neck to hold those items. It is something to consider to be conscientious though, thank you for pointing that out. :)
ETA: I did think about taking another bag in my carry on, it a sling bag very cute and roomy, just not roomy for the plane when there are items I want to have at my fingertips for the long flight.

I think the Timbuktu bag that you reference will be fine, especially considering your other dimensions are under the limits. I've had them eyeball my bag, but never measure it. Unless your length is packed to its limits, you should be perfectly fine.

I usually fly BA. My bag is the exact personal item measurements. It is a Travelon classic backpack, 16 x 12 x 6.

Thank you Wray, I will check that one out too. I thought that I might be able to put a purse organizer in it that has zippers if I do carry my wallet in the bag.

Definitely want to adhere to rules. Trying to find the best bang for my buck too.

Wray, can you point me to where you found the Travelon? Looking on eBags and all the classics are too big.

Another Bihn fan here. I use the Tom Bihn Pilot as my personal item. The organization works well for me--I use a 3D Clear Organizer cube for my TSA bag, which fits neatly in one of the side pockets. Keep my Nexus tablet in the other front pocket. I upgraded to an OP strap (a narrower version of the Bihn Absolute strap), which makes the bag quite comfortable to carry.

I have an S19 backpack which I've used in Rome/ Paris--it also has terrific organization and features. I tighten the waist strap to slide it over my RS roller and secure the top carry strap to the roller handle with a carabiner or velcro strip.

Hi Hrg, Here is the link: Travelon Although I paid less for it...but not sure from whom.

I've got a couple of Timbuk2 bags (they do awesome clearance sales every so often) as well as Bihn bags. They're both good options with different strengths and and I've used both on different flights and been happy with them.

Sadly, the really awesome Timbuk2 smaller Snoop camera bag inserts seem to have been discontinued (love mine dearly) but if you can find them, they protect gear very well and turn any bag into a camera bag.

Edit- they've got a few of the slightly less awesome second generation Snoop inserts on the clearance web site Left Lane Sports right now if you want to have a look. I've ordered from LLS before and they're reliable.

Sometimes you can find Travelon bags at TJMaxx-so if you have one nearby pop in when you are in the neighborhood! I also saw them at an AAA office I was in last week if you've one nearby.

I carry a day pack or tote onto the plane but I also pack a purse for my around town bag.

I also have been wearing the Eddie Bauer Connect wallet on the plane. I travel alone so I like to have my passport and money on me. This small cross body wallet fits under my cardie and is not so bulky it interferes with sitting, etc. I can also wear it under a zipped up rain layer if needed.

We traveled BA Oakland to Gatwick round trip this summer. Our bags sorta met the requirements. Maybe a 1/2 inch too large here and there but we boarded without scrutiny. But, we knew there could be a problem. Our issues came when we got onboard our 777 and went to the World Traveler Plus (economy plus) seats. The overhead bins were small and quickly filling. Under the seats in front of my daughter and I were metal boxes holding (I am told) video equipment. They don't move and take up half the space! So, our small bags got shoehorned into the bins. Look at Seat Guru after you research what plane you are flying.

Thank you Wray, Selkie, Pam and Emma. I will check out the EB connect wallet and the camera snoop. There is a TJ Maxx near me and had not even given it a thought. I know sometimes they are hit or miss, but it would definitely be worth it to drop in here and there to see if I can get a bargain on travel items. Still not sure about taking my big camera, although, every time I choose not to take it I regret it later. Then again, I could take it and regret lugging it around...lol

Keep the suggestions coming, they are welcome. I am one of those who used to carry everything but the kitchen sink, but after reading quite a bit about taking a carry-on only and traveling light even on overseas trips, I am converted! YouTube has been a godsend. It amazes me how many people can live out of a smaller bag. It's had me rethink everything. Plus, the thought of lugging it all does not appeal to me, especially with the amount of walking I plan to do and being solo for the first half of my trip.

The personal carryon I wanted to use as a supplement, not crazy stuff, but something to carry essentials at my fingertips if needed. It was the finding of these bags that has crazy and then finding one that has good organization is not easy.

I really appreciate all the feedback, this community is so very helpful.

I have both the extra small and small Timbuk2 messenger bags and love both of them. I bought the small because the extra small wasn't quite big enough for everything I wanted to carry and the medium seemed gigantic.

I used the small bag on my last trip to Paris and used it as my personal item on the flight and as my day bag. There are a couple of small pockets with zippers on the inside in case you are worried about being more secure. There is plenty of room for a light jacket, water bottle, travel book, and camera.

Alan, great advice! Thank you! I had not even considered. I will be traveling similar to you World Traveler Plus and then I did see that this was not available once I change planes at London Heathrow and on to Edinburgh.

I am also taking a eBags, TLS Mother Load 21" Wheeled Duffle as my main carryon. So hopefully that will work well.

Hi Rita and thank you. As I was looking at different bags I kept going back to the Timbuk2 Small Classic Messenger

I think this is the winner, plus it's cute! :) Got to have a little stylish-ness in there. I also hear so many good things about Timbuk2. I actually first heard about it in a YouTube video. I just like the cross body a little better than a backpack.

This has nothing to do with your original question....but if you are a first time light packer, I encourage you to start a packing list on paper.

I saw this suggestion when I first started reading this forum and it has proved invaluable. I have a master list in Excel and for each trip I just rename a file and update to whatever clothes I am taking this time. It helps me control things as well as serves as a reminder not to forget some things in the heat of the moment so to speak!

I also try to pack the day before I leave then I am not having to scramble at the last minute. I'm traveling a week from tomorrow so tomorrow I will pull out my clothing choices for this trip and hang them on the door in my packing area. I'll make sure everything is freshly washed, then pack my unders/PJs, refill my 3-1-1 bag and OTC meds. I'll start checking things off my packing list as I do them so I can ~try~ not to repeat things!

Great suggestion Pam! I have seen may suggest this and started making notes, but will just put into a spreadsheet.

I do like Pam but I'm not so efficient. Mine is just a word document. I copy the master for each trip and name it for the time of year.

But I take my packing OCD one step further. I get some graph paper. (I'm currently using a green covered pocket notepad from Muji.) I measure the inside of my bag and one square of the graph paper becomes one inch. I know the dimensions of my packing cubes, shoes, etc and play Tetris trying to figure out the best way to pack.

Yes, I know......I know........I need to get a life. But to make is even worse.....I'm finishing up one trip and I'm already working on packing for the next one.

I fly BA most of the time and have been using an Eagle Creek No Matter What Tote Small or the RS Euro bag as my personal item.

With the EC Tote, I attached a cable key ring to each of the small grab handles on the ends of the tote and added a shoulder strap. I can now use is as a cross body messenger bag.

Frank II, you are industrious! You remind me of the engineers I work with...LOL Not a bash at all, I sometimes roll my eyes at some of the things they do, but end up being eating crow as there is always and rhyme and a reason :)

I wish I had you here to do that for me, it would ease a great deal off my mind. But with all the research I am doing and with the help I have found here I think I will be set for my inaugural visit overseas.

I am so glad I found this place, you all have been so helpful. I was apprehensive about dipping my writer's toe into the forums as I had seen another forum on another site where someone asked a similar question to mine and he/she was sort of attacked. Didn't bode well. Everyone here is truly helpful and I am glad I can ask questions and get helpful suggestions and answers.

Sounds like a nice bag. The worst that can happen is they make you put it in the overhead bin. My personal item is 15 3/4x11 1/4x8 1/4 (and I stuff it full) and it goes on all flights with me (Domestic and International) . I don't look at each airline to see what size they allow because I know it fits under the seat, even fully packed. No one has even given me the slightest glance or stink eye. When travelling I have seen my exact bag many times in different colors so maybe airline personnel are used to seeing it and just know it is ok? I LOVE you tube and have sat for hours watching packing videos, how to ride the train in Italy, pickpocketing in Paris...I could go on and on. Such a great resource.

Letizia, thank you. I am more confident that it will be okay. I am not checking any baggage, just taking my 2 bag limit with me. The personal item was what presented a challenge, but I think it will be fine. My concern is having a bag that will also accommodate at least a change of clothes. The reason is because I am always paranoid they will make me check my baggage and then lose it. Murphy's Law and all...

ETA: Please share videos, I am all for the videos that are out here on packing hacks. I never realized that I was doing it all wrong...LOL Seriously, I was amazed at the packing genius out there. Packing cubes are the way to go, just never realized I was packing them wrong.

This one does it without cubes. I do this but it does take some time. http://www.packinglightblog.com/watch-our-packing-method-video/

Oh, I didn't realize there was a wrong way to pack the cubes! Unless people underpack them?

I know a lot of people roll clothes before loading their cubes but I have the Eagle Creek compression cubes (the old style ones) and I found that my shirts packed better if I packed them flat. Rolling my shirts caused a hump in the middle of the cube whereas it is a flatter conformation when I lay them in flat. I did make a packing template because I was folding my shirts skinnier than they needed to be. I made the template out of one of those light, flexible cutting boards. A group was giving them out at the local Farmer's Market last year so I picked up a few then trimmed it down to the size of the cube.

DO practice some trial packing, or as I referred to it when my brother was working on it, recreational packing, hahaha! It helps you figure out the cubes when you aren't under pressure. Pack everything including your toiletries, shoes, charger cords, etc. Do have things organized so that if you wind up having to check your bag it's easy to get out any thing vital.

I fly BA frequently and I think you will be fine - agree that making a master packing list is essential! One of the keys to packing light is making sure all your tops go with all your bottoms and that your tops can be layered depending upon the weather - and this is where a list is invaluable. I also have a master list that is my starting point - after I've adapted it for my current trip, I list out all the combinations of my clothing choices. About a week before the trip, I check the weather and then review my combinations to see if they match up with the expected weather - not foolproof, but it helps me make any final adjustments.
As for taking your DSLR - I've traveled with mine and with a smaller point and shoot. Took my DSLR with me on our Scottish highlands trip and although I loved having it, it does get really heavy to lug around all day. My advice is to really think about what you will be doing on the trip and is the benefit of that camera worth the weight or will a p and s and phone work well enough?

Have you seen this packing light video by Sarah Murdoch, a Rick Steves guide? This was a program she presented at one of his free travel seminars in Edmonds. She also has a terrific blog and FB page. If you are in the Seattle area Rick usually does a day's worth of programs in Nov and Jan.

-link to the full length packing talk from last November.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=vHmwEzB-ZhU

www.adventureswithsarah.net

Hi Hrg, Just a thought from my last trip. I am not a backpack person, but after I had my DSLR in a cross body bag for my Greece trip, and how heavy it became on the days I carried it all day, I switched to the backpack discussed above. I'm thinking for the Personal Item and a busboy/daybag, the weight is better dispersed on my back, when I'm not using it. You might want to try carrying it both ways at home, and see what you think. On most trips, I'll just use a small cross body bag for my camera when in photo mode days. This camera bag fits in the backpack for the longer days when I need more or won't be using it all the time. Every trip is different...I have so many bags...but try it at home.