by Lisa Rayne

Created on: April 04, 2009

To the average air traveler (someone likely flying economy class and not frequently), the secret to convenient travel is likely not what meets the eye: its in the baggage. No, not your recent break-up, your real baggage! Believe it or not but the art of traveling by carry-on can be one of the most rewarding experiences, once mastered, of airline travel. The process is simple: check-in at ticket kiosk to receive ticket, proceed through security, board plane and stow baggage above your seat, exit plane, and leave airport immediately. Reducing one's cargo to one bag that you do not check will inevitably reduce time waiting to check-in for flights, hassle of dragging heavy suitcases around unknown cities and airports, will eliminate time waiting at the baggage claim, and may even reduce your cab fare to your hotel in a potential destination. Especially in busy travel seasons such as summer and Thanksgiving or Winter Break, the time avoided in long lines can be much better spent with family, relaxing instead of stressing about being on time, and browsing duty-free shops instead of scooting forward every 25 seconds and staring impatiently at the client with the gate agent. If you believe in the phrase "time is money," believe me that traveling by carry-on will make you rich.

Rules: Packing an efficient carry-on piece is a skill which, with some discipline, can be easily learned. First, a few Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines: remember rules restricting liquids and other prohibited items, stick to size restrictions, and, of course, be courteous when a gate agent deems it necessary to "gate check" your bag, or stow your carry-on baggage in the checked luggage section from the gate. Also, as a bonus, remember that you are allowed one carry-on item and one smaller "personal item," like a purse or briefcase. The TSA official carry-on guidelines can be found here. Be sure to also verify the size limitations of carry-on luggage with your particular airline. Most require dimensions similar to 22"x14"x9", or 45" total.

Fitting it All: Now that you know that you need to fit your possessions into a 45" bag, it's time to prioritize. How much shampoo and lotion do you really need for those 7 days in the Caribbean? Will your hotel or host be able to provide you with certain amenities, like soap and a hair-dryer? Decide which of these products you will need (or really want) to bring, and which you can live without or easily obtain once you're there. Use plastic

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