Friday, April 15, 2011

Leavin' on a Jet Plane? Packing List



You may be surprised to learn that when you're trying to avoid long luggage-retrieval lines at the airport, the best way is to take only a carry on. Yes, you can survive with what can be stuffed into a carry on. The standard size carry-on is 9 x 14 x 22 inches. Most airports will allow you to also take another bag with you on the plane.

This is my standard packing list, for a 4 day, a 14 day, or even a long trip:

Keep in mind that this is for winter, springtime, or fall travel - and men probably wouldn't be packing Cudl Duds. :-) Obviously, the list would be adjusted for summertime travel.

To wear on the plane:
Wear comfortable black plants (Columbia makes Columbia Falls jersey pants that are really comfortable and double for pants to wear on the street, so that it's not essential that you change once you get to your destination), short-sleeved t-shirt, polar fleece jacket and lined rain coat, sturdy walking shoes.

In Purse, to have easily accessible:
Toothbrush, gum mints, pen, dental floss, book, crossword book, Sharpie, extra pen, vitamins, Carmex, hairbrush, soap box with baby washcloth (takes up very little room), small mirror, lipstick, journal, color pencils, map

In Carry-on bag (suitcase - the 9 x 14 x 22):

In Quart Ziploc Bag (Keep this in the front pocket of your carry on and be ready to hand it over at the airport for inspection):

Small amounts of shampoo, gel, creme rinse,
toothpaste, deodorant, makeup, glue stick (what?? Yes, the glue stick that I use for my journal would scan as a liquid), Bar soap (Yes, it also scans as a liquid), 6 small packets of Tide, lotion

Camera and batteries, camera SD card, mobile phone, hair dryer and converter, clothesline, sink plug, extra Ziploc baggies, opera glasses, small flashlight, guidebooks and maps, all tickets and labels and important phone numbers; alarm clock, extra glasses or sunglasses.

My Carry-on has a strap under which I can stash a small pillow and fleece blanket which don't take up much space, but which are useful on an 8 hour flight.

Clothes in Carry-on:
2 pr. black dress pants, gloves, hat, earmuffs (okay, they look dorky, but in March on the Yorkshire moors, you may be sorry you didn't have them. Okay, fine. I would be sorry I didn't have them), 3 short-sleeved shirts, 3 long-sleeved shirts, 2 Cudl Duds shirts, 1 Cudl Duds long johns, 1 sweater, black polar fleece vest, 4 pr comfy wool sox, undies, 1 pr. dress shoes, 1 pr. slippers (something to wear down the hall to the bathroom, lightweight and sandal-like)

As far as shirts, pants, and skirts, make sure that everything goes with everything else, so you can mix and match. Black is good for just about everything, and looks dressier for going into Westminster Abbey and other churches.

In waist pouch:
Airline e-tickets receipts, boarding passes, drivers license, passport, credit cards or debit cards, British cash (if going to Britain)

If you plan to stay in a B&B for at least 3 nights, you'll have the opportunity to hand wash any clothes you need to in the sink, with time to hang them up and allow them to dry. Plus, you usually get a price break on a three-night stay.

Everyone ready to travel?  Hm. Airfare has about doubled since we last went to England in '08. :-( And until the TSA gets over this annoying obsession with patting down paying guests, I may not fly even if I had the time and the money.

The Littlest Traveler

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Photobucket

19 comments:

Yenta Mary said...

What an efficiency expert you are! I always overpack. But I refuse to check luggage (not that I go anywhere, but when I did!), so I do know it's possible to survive with what you can keep with you. Not only is there the risk of losing one's luggage; but I watched from my seat once as Alaska Airlines baggage handlers took the most priceless care of fishing gear, and then flung suitcases as though they were ticking bombs about to explode! Nope -- I'll keep my things safe and with me ....

Unknown said...

Ah the joys of packing for a trip! I used to be be really good until had the girls! They are a whole different animal with way different stuff. It's getting better as they get older!

The liquid stuff trips me up, but we haven't flown in a long time. If we actually go to Hawaii this winter, I may be sending you frantic messages!

Angela said...

I'm leaving on a jet plane 4 weeks from today! And my standard packing list is oddly similar to yours. :)

Unknown said...

Wow.. you definitely have the traveling thing down! I can't seem to even take just a carry on when I travel to Nebraska for 4 days!! lol

Empty Nester said...

Wow, you are so organized! I can't be that compact traveling three hours in the car to spend a weekend with family!

Robin said...

I'm ready to leave on a jet plane...but air fares are way to high, so I don't know if I'll ever be able to. Have a great weekend.

Caution/Lisa said...

I think I'm married to your twin. The more organized he is, the more I refuse to be. It somehow works for us.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

I agree! Who wants to wait in line to check a bag, wait to get it back AND get charged for it!

Just a word of caution, if you have a bag that is on the verge of not being a carry on, don't stuff it tight! It might not fit in the overhead compartment! I had this happen once, thank goodness the stewardess didn't want to wait to put it in the hold. She gave me a big plastic bag and said I could take a few things out and make it fit overhead. I always carry a large tote for my "purse" and put my liquids in there. Makes it very easy.
My packing list would be a little different, more knitting and more books!
Hopefully, in a few weeks my sister and I will be flying to Texas!

Midwest to Midlands said...

I think it always sounds so good to be so organized in your packing. In reality I never quite make it though. Have a good weekend!

George The Lad said...

Great post, your list it so helpful, I know you always seam to pack more than you need, I've heard of folks taking emply cases to bring things back in, and when I was motorbiking one tip to save space is to buy as you go, and post the washing home!!
Thanks for your visit and kind comment, I won't tell:)
Is it England you are coming to?
Well if it is and its anywhere near Shropshire. We could meet up if you wish.
My email is on Georges side bar.
Any way have a good hoilday.
Jan and George xxx

jennyfreckles said...

I always dream of having a 'capsule wardrobe' with everything mixing and matching. I never manage it.

Cranberry Morning said...

Heide made a good point about stuffing the suitcase. The pic was actually taken of my carry on case that I was taking to Texas when we were driving there. Flying? I would have made sure that it measured 9x14x22. Once at the airport they actually had a metal box just a smidgen larger than that and your bag had to fit INSIDE it or it had to be checked luggage. Better safe than sorry.

Cranberry Morning said...

Oh yeah. Books are heavy. This is where a Kindle or Nook would come in really handy - especially if it is backlit so you can read it in the dark!

Jean | Delightful Repast said...

Judy, I sooo agree, best to travel light. For trips of 5 days or fewer, I use an even smaller suitcase than the 9x14x22! People are always shocked to see it.

Air travel has gotten to be such a pain, I may never do it again except when I absolutely have to. Last time I was looking at flights to Britain, both British Airways and Virgin had some silly limit, like 13 or 14 pounds, on a carry-on. That would mean, of course, that we'd have to check luggage. Boo!

Judy S. said...

Glad to see you had a flashlight on your list! We learned the hard way. Did you every try to remove contacts in the pitch dark?

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

Oh please...I can't even go overnight with a carry on. I'm a total packing failure. I'm going to try and refer to this for my next weekend outing...


Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com

J_on_tour said...

This is a great post for travel guidance from a seasoned expert. I am sorry that the fuel situation is restricting your activities in this direction and I hope I am providing you with an alternative service.
My trans atlantic flight was a steep learning curve as it was my first one and it would have been good to read this first. The size of recommended case was the 747 and not the smaller shuttle to Amsterdam...say no more !! I had my 4 day trips to Bristol off to a fine art, leaving a few clothes there, taking very little with me and usually bringing back a hand luggage full of purchased "culture" !! I only got bored at the airport as the waiting time was double that of the 44 minute flight !! The last time I flew was December 2009.

Becky said...

Judy you are great! I love that you posted about this. I think because its a LIST. Sometimes I get sucha craving to make a list, even if its just the crafts I want to make....
ahen (to a certain sister) some people do want to wait in line to check luggage and wait in line to get it back so their body is not in pain for the entire trip.
Even if my luggage is light, standin in line and all that wandering around, I manage to carrying things crookedly with a negative result.
I like the idea of mailing the washng home though. DOn't want to be the unlucky one to open it!!!

Mama Hen said...

I always pack too much! I have to try this carry on only way of taking a trip. It would be neat to see if I could make everything I need fit. I hope you are doing great! Have a good night!

Mama Hen

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