Luggage

How to carry it

Your choice of luggage depends on where you're going, how you are travelling, and how you want to manage what you are taking. If you're trekking around the continent, a backpack may be the ideal solution. It is best to choose a backpack that has a panel to cover shoulder harnesses so they are not damaged nor entangled during transit . Duffel bags are ideal for packing sporting, outdoor and camping equipment. Some luggage is equipped with rollers for heavier loads. Luggage with soft sides is easier to pack because it conforms better to contents and is less likely to be damaged in transit. Hard shell luggage is heavier and often damaged in transit.

Carry-on Luggage

A quick business trip might require a carry-on bag but other travellers may find carry-on luggage most advantageous. Some travellers prefer soft luggage, carried on the shoulder, because they find it is easy to pack and manoeuvre. Carrying luggage on the shoulder can be very tiring and can cause back problems. Others prefer the small rolling units used by airline personnel.

There are several advantages to carry-on luggage. It is more secure because you are not entrusting it to others and thus exposing it to theft, damage and loss as it passes though the baggage handling system. You are more mobile and can more easily deal with late arrivals at airports, delayed flights and missed connections. You do not have to wait for the arrival of your luggage and can, therefore, often avoid long queues at customs and waits for taxis or other transportation. You can save money because you do not require porters and can be more flexible, taking cheaper public transportation.

The general dimensional limits for carry-on luggage is 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm. ) and the weight limit is 40 lbs. (18 kg.). Be careful that your luggage does not bulge past the size limits. Application of luggage rules are often dependent on the whims and moods of gate personnel. You may be required to pass your luggage by a size template without stuffing it through.

Rolling Luggage

A trip requiring many transfers in airports could be facilitated by luggage that rolls. Rolling luggage is preferable for carrying heavy objects such as computers. It is more rigid, has more parts to break, is heavier and less versatile for packing.

Hand Luggage

One might also consider taking along a convertible backpack, a shoulder bag, or fanny pack (one that expands into a backpack) for walking tours or hiking. Often it is handy to have a lightweight nylon shopping bag, that zippers closed, for carrying home extras. Such a bag can also be used when going to the beach or going on a picnic.

In order to securely transport essential documents, tickets, money and bank cards you should consider using a security pouch worn under your clothes. There are several forms of security pouches such as, a wallet suspended from the neck and hanging on the chest, a pouch strapped about the waist, and a holster poach slung over one shoulder and hanging by your side. You will probably find the holster type is the most comfortable to wear, the easiest to access and the most secure A money belt can also be used for carrying small amounts of cash or traveller's checks. Alternately, or as a compliment, you may wear clothing that is constructed with hidden zippered security pockets. These may include special shirts, sports jackets, and half-slips for women.

A small thin wallet, especially one that closes securely, is ideal for carrying cash needed during a days travel. This wallet should be kept in an unhabitual place. You can carry a second wallet containing a small amount of cash and several expired or dummy cards in a usual pocket. This wallet to can be surrendered first, if ever you are confronted by a thief. Both men and women will find it useful to carry a coin purse. In European and other countries lot of coinage is used. A snap-open type is recommended. This will help you manipulate your change and save your pockets.

Luggage Construction

Luggage must be strong. A good choice of material is ballistic nylon which is not easily punctured or damaged by abrasions. It is easily cleaned. Compartments should have internal tie down straps to prevent contents from shifting. Straps and handles should be well anchored at reinforced points. Pop-up handles of rolling luggage should retract completely into the luggage and be protected by a zipper cover so they are not pulled out and damaged during transit. Zippers closures should be robust and lockable. The best padlocks for luggage have a hardened steel loop, a brass body, and a 4 digit combination. (Always lock all the compartments of your luggage to avoid accidental opening, theft and surprising insertions.) Good quality rolling luggage is manufactured with standard roller blade skate rollers which are durable and easily replaced.

Packing

Make a list of items you are taking and check them off as each is packed. Wear or carry bulky clothes on flight if possible. Put strong label tags on all luggage and insert your name and address inside your luggage.

In order to avoid complete loss of clothing it is advisable to carry some clothes in a carry-on bag . When travelling with someone, you might each carry half of the other person's clothing in your bag, thus limiting liability from loss to half.

Packing clothes can be facilitated by using lightweight nylon stuff sacks or zippered organizer packs to hold together small items such as socks and underwear. A small nylon sac can be used to carry your laundry items, sink stopper, detergent, spot remover, clothesline and inflatable hangers. Small or fragile items can be placed inside shoes. Place shoes in a nylon shoes sac or plastic bag. Avoid putting anything containing liquid that may spill or break in checked luggage . If you must include these items, put them in unbreakable plastic bottles and then place them in zippered plastic bags. It is advisable to carry basic toilet items in carry-on luggage so that they are readily available and not lost or delayed in checked luggage.

There are many ideas on how to avoid wrinkles. Clothes made of natural fibres will acquire and retain creases more easily than synthetic material. Knits generally resist wrinkles. The objective when folding clothes is to avoid hard folds that create creases. Folding clothes around non critical objects such as underwear or folding one item around the next helps.

Another technique is to roll clothes in a bundle. Pile you clothes flattened on a surface with easily creased items on the bottom and less critical items such as knits on the top. Start to make a roll (not too loose) with the item on the top of your pile. Roll each successive item around the preceding one. This technique requires some experimentation but once mastered it is quite a good method.

Creases are also produced when garments slide one against another. Folding clothes between layers of tissue paper or thin plastic, such as dry cleaners bags, can eliminate such problems. Is also essential that clothes do not shift inside your luggage. Use all tie down straps to firmly secure clothes. Roll T-shirts, sweaters, underwear, socks and shoes to fill gaps long the edges. Before closing your luggage, it is good idea to cover your clothes with a piece of plastic dry cleaner bag and tuck it down the sides. This may help prevent damage from any liquid that can come from other luggage, condensation or rain and infiltrate through zippers.

Luggage Security

Always lock all the compartments of your luggage. Attach identification labels to each piece, including hand luggage. It is best to arrange labels so that one must open the tag to read your name, address and telephone number. This will prevent unscrupulous persons from knowing you are absent from home. In certain circumstances it may be advisable to write the name and address of your destination accommodation to assure prompt and secure delivery.

When checking your luggage remove all old tags. Verify that the city destination on the airline luggage tag matches your final destination. You must know the three letter code (JFK, YUL, etc.) of your destination airport to verify your luggage tag before it vanishes down the conveyor belt.

A distinctive bright coloured tag or yarn attached to your luggage can help you easily identify it from a distance. When picking up your luggage always verify your personal identification label to make sure the you have the right luggage.

According to statistics, about two bags on every jumbo jet flight will be lost or misdirected. Investigations have identified the most luggage theft occurs in group check-in and curb-side check-in stations. Avoid checking this way if possible. Expensive looking luggage and well travel luggage signal possibly interesting contents and is most likely the target of thieves.