SUITCASE CHOICES: HARDER THAN WHAT PAIR OF SHOES TO WEAR
Some people loves shoes. Some love purses. I love suitcases. Why have just one when I have can have many? The new colors and fabrics are so pretty. But with the new airline regulations, some of my older suitcases have had to go into storage. So, how do you decide what suitcase is best for your trip.
First I decide about my carryon. What weight and size will the airline allow for this trip?
Also, how long is the flight and how many connections?
More and more I lean toward wheels on most everything. Or at least be able to hook an non wheel to a wheel. For instance, I take a lap top in a case. It can be attached to my small carryon with a strap. My purse goes inside the carryon, so now I have just 2, the maximum most airlines allow. However, on this last trip, I saw some people with really large wheeled carryons, a backpack and a lap top. Most were not stopped. Those who were, let their carryon be checked at the gate and avoided the “more than one” checked rule.
On red eye flights, I have a back pack type with wheels. It cost $39 and is the best suitcase I own. In it I have
my ½ down pillow rolled in a vacuum bag
a sweater because you never know about the temperature on the plane
my glasses case with an eye mask, ear plugs and lip salve
a bottle of water I buy before boarding the plane (some airlines fill up water bottles from the plane’s tank and tell you it is bottled water)
a quart sized zip lock bag with toilet seat covers, packets of wipes, hand sanitizer, a few bandaids, and panty liners (then you can wear your underwear more than once, if necessary), tooth paste and tooth brush
a change of clothes
if I am landing in a rainy place, a rain poncho.
This bag also acts as a footrest under the seat in front of me, unless I am in business class with a foot rest. Don’t forget the fold up bag for all the treasures you will be bringing home. Or you can pack a small bag inside a larger bag. Watch your weight on that one.
With that done, then I can move onto the larger bag which depends on the length of time I am gone. Less is always better and I never seem to get that right. The main reason is I don’t want to spend every evening doing laundry in the bathroom sink. Many times it doesn’t even dry before I have to pack it. Speaking of laundry, I love the old fashioned Fels Naptha bar of soap. It rinses out quickly and is easy to pack. It goes into a baggy with my clothes line that has suction cups on each end for hanging in a shower or even between 2 chairs on a deck.
Do you have a special suitcase?
