Comments on: Packing tips and tricks from flight attendants

By: Katie A.

Katie A. — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:23:16 +0000

The swimsuit issue depends on where you’re going! If you’re in a place like Hawaii and don’t want to put on a wet bathing suit (say, if you’re going out first), then it’s nice to have extras. Plus people like to sunbathe in bikinis and wear something sturdier for activities.

I try to pack light, but I never seem to get it totally right. For Christmas, I got a packing list with removable pages, which is good–I used it on a previous trip and took the list with me to take notes on what I actually used/didn’t use.

I have to say, I have relatives who are obsessively light packers and make fun of me–and then in the next breath ask if they can borrow one of my sweaters for the duration of the trip!

For my next trip, I might be brave and only bring my Kindle, no books.

By: MsD

MsD — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:23:01 +0000

And, laetitia, no one enforces those carry on sizes in the U.S. anyway, so you can have even more space. One of my biggest pet peeves is people bringing too big carry ons on U.S. flights, and then the flight attendants asking me to stow my laptop bag (my only carry on) under my seat to make room for oversized rollaboards. Um, no, I packed right and I will have my leg room, thanks. I just typically refuse to claim it as mine when they ask whose it is.

By: Laetitia in Australia

Laetitia in Australia — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:57:24 +0000

I too was surprised at the 3 bathing suits (since I only own one) but each to their own. Maybe she buys new underwear at her destination? I assume she’s staying at a hotel or with friends / family so she doesn’t need a towel.

I went on a one week trip interstate in winter last year for which I took a regular sized suitcase. This allowed me to pack my pillow – I get a sore neck from using regular pillows for too long.

On that trip I wore my ugg boots and packed my steel cap shoes (very comfy for walking). That way I didn’t have to worry about taking them off for the security check along with trying to keep my eyes on my laptop and camera bag as they went through.

Australian maximum carry-on dimensions are 23cm x 34cm x 48cm giving a total volume of 37,536 cm^3. In comparison, US Airways dimensions are 23cm x 36cm x 56cm, giving a total volume of 46,368 cm^3. That’s almost 24% more space!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:56:04 +0000

I am also concerned about the lack of underwear in her packing demonstration. I can usually get a week’s worth in a stuff sack that ends up the same size as a rolled pair of slacks.

I also don’t trust that that is the size of her toiletries bag. With hair like that you know she needs lots of products and tools. I can deal with only 1-2 changes of clothing for 1-2 weeks; but I have a hard time squeezing in all the toiletries required for 1-2 weeks. I need more information on how to streamline that!

I don’t understand the comments about wearing your yoga pants and t-shirt for both working out and sleeping in or about packing stuff inside of shoes. Ick! Are you and your clothes and shoes all sweaty at the end of your work-out?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:39:39 +0000

I am on a 2 week international vacation right now with a very small bag (smaller than the one pictured in this article and photos) and a regular-sized backpack. The most helpful thing for me was choosing clothing that all coordinates, so any of my tops will go with any of my bottoms, creating varying looks and levels of dressy-ness. Also helpful is choosing things that dry quickly and can be washed in the hotel sink. As a usual over-packer and non-minimalsit, this trip has been freeing and amazing, and I even have a few things I could have done without! I love it and have been converted.

Plus, as only having carry-ons, my stress was simplified when I missed two connections due to a flight delay. So no worries about lost luggage!

The website onebag.com was a fabulous resource for me to figure out what is essential for me (and what I can do without).

By: MsD

MsD — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:01:29 +0000

The electronics overload comment made by the pilot can be greatly mitigated with a few smart purchases. I recommend investing in a loaded smartphone with a good quality camera. The new androids are impressive in this regard. I have the motodroid…in fact, I’m writing this on it. It can do 90% of what my computer can, including opening PDFs for maps and whatnot. If you need to take notes, but can get by without full computing power, you can buy very compact full keyboards for most smartphones, and free apps can hold your notes. I can even connect it to wifi in the airport, plane, hotel, or hotspot. While I take my good, full-body camera, I don’t have to haul it around constantly in order to catch pictures of my friends being goofy at karoke or something, and I don’t need to bring a separate compact camera for those times. And it’s an MP3 player, so I don’t need to worry about an iPod.

Ear-bud noise-cancelling headphones take up much less space with comparable quality at about the same price.

As for numerous chargers, buy an iGo and tips for all your stuff. It even comes in car format if you’re flying an airline w/those outlets and must have power. 1-2 chargers instead of 10, just bag the tips in a ziplock. I use the iGo in my office when not traveling, so I don’t have to haul my good charger around, risk losing or forgetting it, or worry about how much juice I have in the morning (plus, using my phone for 75%+ of my computing means I can burn through a battery in 4-6 hours). For shorter trips, I just fully charge 2 of the rechargable batteries for my camera (they last about 2-3 days) and skip that charger.

I like real books, so I can’t comment on readers, but you can def eliminate 50%+ of your electronics packing w/these tips.

By: Claycat

Claycat — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:04:52 +0000

I’ve learned to pack less as the years go by. I refuse to wear polyester, so I just have to be wrinkled.

By: What am I Reading? 5/27/10 Edition « Destination England

What am I Reading? 5/27/10 Edition « Destination England — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:50:03 +0000

[...] Packing Tips and Tricks From Flight Attendents – Some really awesome tips! Be sure the check out the link for the side show as well. @unclutterer [...]

By: soshi

soshi — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:18:17 +0000

dont forget a nice casual pants

By: timgray

timgray — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:46:29 +0000

Most people take way more than they need. I can pack everything I need for a 3 day weekend in a single small duffle bag that is smaller than most womens purses. (15X12X8) That includes an extra shirt, extra underwear and socks, and entertainment like ebook reader, camera, and PSP with 6 games and all chargers.

It’s not hard to pack light. and when you do a lot of cross country travel on motorcycle you learn to pack really light. Try a 2 week motorcycle trip with 2 shirts and two pairs of jeans… every night you do laundry at the hotel. works great. When you travel nobody cares you wore that shirt 2 days ago… Fashion Faux Pas’ just don’t happen unless you plan on only doing the 5 star restaurants and need to have formal wear.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:47:31 +0000

Is cramming as much stuff as you can into a carry on a smart idea? For a 10 day trip, I think she simply is packing too much due to the lack of organization & clothing coordination.

By: WilliamB

WilliamB — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:52:12 +0000

My problem is shoes, too. I’m a runner with problem feet so my minimum number is 2 pair: running shoes and supportive sandels. Neither are small, either are crushable. I could save space by wearing the sneakers but then security is a hassle; I could simplify security by wearing the sandals but then I have less packing space.

If I need to dress up for work or fine dining, I add one pair of work shoes.

By: For other folks traveling to the Lane Bryant conference next week | Fat Chic

Tue, 25 May 2010 17:37:39 +0000

[...] found this great post on packing tips over at Unclutterer. Thought you all might appreciate, especially if you’re on an airline that [...]

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:58:32 +0000

Sorry, that should say “3 bathing suits for *10* days”. Oops!

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:57:51 +0000

I wasn’t terribly surprised that she could fit everything in that carry-on (then again, my boyfriend and I once packed his entire apartment — minus furniture, of course — in 2 suitcases and a carry-on, all of which we could barely lift but that’s another story), but I too was surprised by how much she packed for a 10-day trip.

Agreed, everyone’s packing needs are different; however, she’s supposedly illustrating the article’s point about travelling light. And cramming as much as possible into a given case is a little at odds with the article’s message of paring down and doing away with excess. And 3 bathing suits for 3 days sounds like excess to me.