Straighten Up & Fly Right

Many of us are gearing up for vacations, and air travel in 2009 is very different from even one year ago. Airfares are cheaper, but airlines are making up the cost in other ways (even, reportedly, charging to use the restroom- I am not kidding- read here). It pays to be organized to avoid unnecessary expenses and delays! Here's how to organize yourself to save money and time when you fly:

Avoid checking baggage. Most airlines are charging you for checking bags, something that has always been free. You want to pack intelligently so that you take one carry-on suitcase plus one other bag like a tote, briefcase, or purse. Save money by not paying the baggage fees, and save time by not waiting in the sometimes intolerable lines at the airport check-in. Here are my favorite tips for packing well:

• Use a packing list. Here are a couple of great resources: Don'tForgetYourToothbrush.com and Pack This! Packing Checklist Pad.
• Have a great suitcase that meets airline requirements for carry-on bags. Be familiar with the rules so that you won't slow everyone else down. 
• Use Pack-It folders and cubes from Eagle Creek. I do not pack without them because they "modularize" your stuff to take it in and out quickly.
• Read about packing smart at www.onebag.com and www.travelite.org.

Outsmart the airlines by avoiding other charges. They are starting to charge for just about anything they can. Remember those airline meals we used to complain about? Pretty much gone. Pack your own food and entertainment.

• If you plan ahead, you can pack an absolutely stunning meal that you will LOVE vs. paying through the nose for some potato chips or a cold sandwich on a hard roll. Make the other passengers jealous! The only thing you can't pack from home is your beverages--you'll need to buy that on the other side of security or just get a drink from your flight attendant.
• Make sure you also pack plenty of extra snacks for unforeseeable delays. Larabars, nuts, fruit, and trail mix are easy healthful choices and cost so much less than buying them in the airport.
• If you pack your own headphones you can avoid the fee for a headset to listen to the movie or the onboard music selection. Even better, skip their entertainment and pack your own book, magazines, Kindle, iPod, or small DVD player (great for kids!). Remember chargers and extra batteries as needed.

Get through security more quickly by organizing yourself in the line. If you have not flown in a while, here's what you'll need to pull out and have ready when you get to the conveyor belt:

• All of your liquids and gels need to be less than 3 ounces (seriously, they do check the amount and size) and placed into one quart-size zippered plastic bag per person. (Here's a photo of mine, click to enlarge.) You need to have this quart bag packed where it's SUPER-EASY to take in and out.
• Laptops need to be removed from their cases and put into a bin. There are some cases now that they allow you to keep intact and run through, like these great sleeves that I use from Built NY.
• Wear shoes that are easy to remove, and minimize big metal jewelry or anything else that will set off the metal detector. You will have to take off your jackets and shoes and put them in a bin. Especially think about this if you are traveling with children-- Velcro shoes are a beautiful thing!
• BE READY to throw everything on the conveyor belt quickly and efficiently so you don't annoy others in line behind you.
• Check for full details and any new rules before you leave at the TSA.gov site here.

Getting organized really pays in time and money savings. What are your favorite time and money saving travel tips? Share in the comments!

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Comments

[Lorie Marrero]

I just realized that this is the first time in a while that I have mentioned products in my blog. I just want to say as a matter of policy, I don't receive compensation for these mentions, unless I specifically say so like when I just did a campaign as a spokesperson for Microsoft's Windows Live products. I'll tell you when I get paid, and if I do, it's because I like the product anyway. :) Otherwise, normal mentions mean it's just because I like it SO MUCH!

- Lorie

[Terry Lange]

I just flew last week and the TSA is making people put their shoes directly on the belt and not in a bin anymore.

[Leslie]

I dread flying since they started charging for checked bags. I already felt that people were bringing too much onto the plane before and hogging all the space for carry ons, now it will be even worse....sigh.

[amy]

- Wear slip on shoes. Easy off, easy on.

- another way to modularize and shrink the volume of your packing is to use compression stuff sacks like those used for backpacking. Especially useful if you don't care about a few wrinkles or know there's an iron where you're going.

- Make up an "on the plane kit" in a small bag within your backpack/laptop bag/personal item for easy access to the items you use during flight. This allows you to avoid rummaging around underneath the seat in front of you with your face squished into the seat back reclined into your face. Just pull out your goodie bag along with your book and stick it in the seat back pocket before you sit down. My kit includes:
-- small pack of kleenex
-- Excedrin
-- ear bud head phones
-- spare glasses (if wearing contacts
-- feminine product
If i think of it I transfer the following from my Liquids Bag to this bag while in the terminal:
-- small hand lotion
-- hand sanitizer

- Speaking of which, carry hand sanitizer. It's the best think you can do to avoid catching something germy on an airplane or in an airport. Forget wearing those silly masks. Give yourself a good rub of hand sanitizer before you eat anything and after using the facilities.

[Peggy Jo Rose]

I ALWAYS take wipes and wipe down the arm rest, snack tray, window, etc. pj

[David hogard]

If you are only going away for a long weekend, then you are not likely to need to take many accessories with you. Similarly, if you are staying at a fairly large hotel chain, many of your needs will be provided. So there is no need to 'double up'.

If you are planning to do is to sightsee from the tour bus, then you'll not need to take with you the heavy hiking boots! If you are going on a city holiday,

http://travels423.blogs.experienceproject.com/203952.html