Who Else Wants to Make Travel Easier?
Once upon a time, travel was luxurious. Stewardesses were storybook, seatmates were delightful, drinks appeared as if by magic, and you could stroll through security with shoes on, no trolls at the gate.
Today, it’s more like being booked at the county jail. Sure, you can shell out extra for civility and the luxury of extending your legs 10 inches, but upgrading is not an option for everybody. (Seriously, we know the TSA has a tough job and appreciate ‘em – we just miss a simpler world.)
Gadgets and apps to make travel easier abound, and we’ll explore some later. But first, let’s start with packing. Here are a few ways to stack stuff in your favor.
Baggage policies
Every airline has its own rules, so go to the website and be sure. Some discount carriers are more generous. Visit the TSA website for full details on things like carry-on toiletries.
Packing tips
• Pack light to skip extra fees, and weigh at home or pick up a portable scale. Unless you’re going to Possibility Land, bring only what you’ll use. A “maybe” is also a “maybe not.”
• Keep necessities in your carry on – anything you can’t replace easily or need to spend a night, from meds to undies and critical work.
• Rolling clothing reduces wrinkles, saves space, and makes it simple to find stuff – but also makes it easy to inspect your bag at security. You can get compression bags, envelopes, and see-through cubes that let you keep an organized, efficient interior your entire trip. Or use storage bags from the grocery. Padded, leek-proof bags let you tuck wine in checked luggage without worry of getting soaked.
• Coil cords and lay out electronics so the x-ray can get a clear picture of each.
• Find your bag fast and theft-proof: Add bright tape or a ribbon, better yet, a colored luggage strap. Add a TSA-approved luggage lock.
• Be comfy: New ergonomic inflatable pillows let you sleep upright via a seat tether, and innovative earplugs can help reduce ear pressure. Other standards, like lumbar support pillows, can be invaluable.
• E6 Energy Strips: Handy, lightweight, tuckable – what a great way to boost your energy waiting to deplane or hailing a cab.
Photo credit: By eirikso http://www.flickr.com/photos/eirikso/487963584/ Creative Commons license
