Rebekah Staggs

We recently took a plane trip. Our son finally outgrew the booster car seat requirements so we’re traveling without having to bring along a car seat or rent one once at our destination. In addition some airlines are starting to charge for checked bags. So we figured it was time to give this “one bag” thing a try.

As we were each allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item that gave us a total of 6 bags and whatever we were wearing.

How did it work out?

We went right up to the self check-in. Didn’t have to wait in long lines or for someone behind the desk to check-in our bags. Got through the security lines easily and quickly. Our bags were easy to travel with in the airports between flights and store in the overhead bins on the planes.

When we landed on the other side we breezed right past baggage claim (no waiting for our bags, no lost bags, and no broken wheel at the last minute!) and right onto a bus to the rental car. (No lugging luggage to the bus stop, onto the bus, off of the bus…)

On the return the same thing. No dropping someone off with the bags and then returning the car or lugging all the bags with you on a bus and then through the terminal.

I have to say that the idea at first was daunting. Is it possible for me to fit everything I might need into one bag and a purse? What about keeping an active 9 year old boy busy and in clean clothing? By paring it down to the NEEDS (and a few wants) it was.

After the ease of our last trip. The lack of luggage mishaps or losing time waiting. I have to say we’re now a ONE BAG ALL THE WAY family!

How did we do it?

Cargo Pants, vests, jackets, anything with pockets is a good clothing item for travel. It gives you an “extra hand” for things you might want without having to dig in a bag for it. Or to just hold a water bottle for a minute.

Get a carry-on bag that is SURE to fit in those small overhead compartments and a personal item bag that will fit in the seat in front of you. I don’t know how many people we saw trying to shove bags that were clearly too large for either and some ended up having to “check” their carry on. At a charge no less.

After culling what we WANTED to pack we we got our items down to what we DID pack: Trial sized personal items in a 1 quart size bag (If you don’t have trial sized items already as freebies or have your favorites in reusable containers, just buy them after you get there (or use the hotel’s) and save yourself the screening.), clothing for 2-3 days (you’re wearing one day’s set.), a laptop, and cables/chargers (a few toys, an inflatable pillow and a blanket – I don’t like using airline ones). And a “personal item” bag that had our entertainment (games, books, magazines, MP3 players, etc) and snacks.

Layer your clothing on the bottom of your carry-on, cables and other items in a row on top of that, and put your heavier/bigger clothing in a layer over that.  I put my laptop in a neoprene sleeve on the top of all that. You can pull the whole sleeve out and place it in the bin to be screened.

For a 5 day trip we imposed on family once to wash our laundry. If you’re not visiting family you could find a laundry mat, use the hotel facilities if they have them, or go all the way with sink washing and drying in your hotel. Think clothing that all goes well together and travels well. There are places that sell travel clothing, but unless you travel a lot probably not worth the investment.

I was very surprised that I didn’t miss anything I didn’t bring with us. Anything we might have needed we could get at a local Walgreens or Walmart. (So long as you’re traveling in the USA.) So it really was a lot less stress on the trip having one less thing to worry about and is something we’re going to be doing from now on. I highly suggest giving it a try.

What have you got to lose? Well, certainly not your luggage!

Links:
TSA: What to Know Before you go. Permitted and Prohibited items.
Onebag.com.
Airline Luggage Allowance Policies.
How to Prevent Lost Luggage and travel tips.
Unclaimed Baggage.