I used to… until one trip when I ended up paying nearly the equivalent of my roundtrip ticket in luggage fees. Both my checked pieces weighed more than the allotted 50 pounds and I ended up paying in the triple digits to get them on the plane with me. It was a horrific experience (namely because the airline employee checking me in had me open one of my suitcases to see what we could stuff in my carry-ons so I wouldn’t have to pay the penalty fees—-she was great-—it was the blow to my wallet that was excruciatingly painful).
Since then I’ve become quite the conservative packer (even when I am traveling with my 3-year-old). It helps that our longer trips are to visit family so I have easy access to a washer and dryer, which really cuts down on the amount of clothing I pack. I once flew to Hawaii for a 12-day vacation (with my daughter) and got by with one suitcase and two carry-ons. To this day I still look back at that trip and wonder how I was able to do so given that I was flying with a toddler. Heck, as it is when we aren’t flying I end up schlepping around my tote, her backpack, and another bag with snacks and other junk (I mean “essentials”) just on a trip to the zoo or other local attractions. How we were able to fly 5,000 miles and make four plane changes (each way) with as little as we did still amazes me.
And now that United and other carriers recently announced that they are severely cracking down on the number of bags you can check in we all are going to have to learn to pack accordingly. (Unless you make Oprah’s income, in which case, you are not likely flying in the same aircraft as us mere mortals.)
If you were schooled anywhere but the military, then you probably over pack. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but unless you want to get socked with outrageous fees you need to learn how to pack a bit more prudently. Make sure you are only packing items you are going to use at least once and not ones that are just coming along for the ride. Create a travel wardrobe of mix and match outfits for you, your spouse and your children. Then, learn how to roll your clothes to maximize space in your suitcase.
Another way to eliminate having to pay the new fees associated with the airline’s rule change is to carry on as much as possible. I know a ton of passengers who regularly ignore the airline’s rules as to what is an acceptable carry-on (in terms of amount and size) so why not join the club (but don’t blame me if you get caught).
Still, I would suggest you check your airline’s website for the acceptable dimensions for carry-ons, then find a bag that comes as close to the dimensions as possible. Most airlines request that each passenger board with a single bag that fits either under the seat in front of them or in an overhead bin, plus one small “personal item.” Since the definition of “personal item” differs between carriers (and often gets stretched pretty far) if you tend to over pack I would try to take advantage of the liberal interpretation of the term as much as possible.
Your seatmates might give you the evil eye, but desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Just make sure you’re not on my flight.
Related Articles:
Airline Luggage Wars–Can It Get Any Worse?
What To Do When Your Luggage Doesn’t Arrive When You Do
Last-Minute Gifts for Those Fighting the “Black Bag War”
Travel Alert: New Airline Carry-On Restrictions