Yetch, yet another ‘how to pack’ piece. Hang on. This one’s different. Really. Cheapflights’ spring break packing strategies don’t tell you how to fold your shirt, or to be sure to pack wash ‘n wear. We’re focusing on how to pack pegged to the airplane you’re flying, and the places you’re headed.
More and more major airlines are substituting regional jets for full-size ones. The immediate impact: the overhead bins are often (though not always) smaller. The ubiquitous CRJ-200s and EMB-145s, for example, have pouch-sized places to put your carry-ons.
Best bet if you’re booked on one of these smallish 50-seaters is to pack a carryall, one of those glorified gym-bags – but don’t pack it too full, otherwise it won’t fit in the overhead.
If you do take a big, bloated backpack–if it’s an RJ–be ready to “yellow-tag” it at the entrance to the boarding bridge. It will be waiting for you at the other end of the line, right there at the boarding bridge. Problem is, you’re going to have to wait for it to be unloaded before you can be on your way.
All of this, of course, assumes you’re not going to want to pack a bigger bag and check it—for an ever-escalating fee—in the belly of the airplane.
If you go the oh-so-light route and take a carry-on, here are come tips:
- Pack just one change of clothing: jeans, polo short, undies, and a couple of pair of socks. Wash what you’re wearing at the hotel’s laundromat. Make sure liquid or gel toiletries conform to the TSA’s three-ounce rule, and that you put them in a plastic bag. Try squeezing as much air as you can from liquids before tightening the cap. They’re less likely to leak.
- Pack any essential medicines in your carry-on (never put them in a checked bag). Put a couple of day’s supply of pills in a double-wrapped plastic bag and stick ‘em in your pocket. You need a back-up plan.
- Find out if the hotel or condo at which you’re staying has complementary mini-soaps, shaving cream, toothpaste and such. Most do. That’s one less thing you have to pack.
In short, minimize your hassle this spring break by being a minimalist. Less hassle, more room to focus on what matters.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: malias)
