Travel Tips / Packing Tips / Packing Checklist / Airline Luggage Specifications

Travel Tips

Personal

• Reduce jet lag by drinking lots of water before, during and after your flight.

• When flying, feet have a tendency to swell. Consider wearing athletic shoes or other comfortable shoes with laces that you can loosen.

• Traveling for an extended period requires lots of planning. Follow a preparation schedule identifying what needs to be done each week up until the night before your trip.

Luggage

• Place an ID tag on all your suitcases.

• Include a copy of your itinerary, along with telephone numbers where you will be staying, inside your suitcase. 

• Remove all old baggage claim tickets and tags.

• We suggest you lock your checked luggage with a TSA approved lock. TSA screeners can gain access to bags with these locks without damaging your bag or lock. Other locks may need to be cut off.

• Take along extra keys to your locks.

• Make it easier for you to identify your baggage on the carousel. You can distinguish your bag by using different color luggage straps or colorful tags, tape or yarn tied to the handle. This will help deter someone else from picking up your luggage in error.

• Remove all shoulder straps, add-a-bag straps, keeping these items on your luggage increases the chance it will get caught in a baggage belt system and cause damage.

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Packing Tips

• To reduce wrinkling, separate clothes in plastic dry cleaning bags. Do not use dry cleaning bags with printed advertising as it may rub off on your clothing. Large garbage bags also can be used.

• Roll knit outfits and sweaters together. These items generally won't wrinkle.

• Place tissue paper between folds. This is another way to reduce wrinkles.

• Pack hairdryers, shoes and heavier items at the bottom of your case.

• Utilize the space inside your shoes by placing socks, hosiery, anything that doesn't wrinkle easily.

• Stuff the corners of luggage with small items that won't wrinkle (underwear).

• When packing a garment bag hang several items together to alleviate using too many hangers. Try to use a maximum of 3.

• If you are traveling with small children, place a days clothing in a zip lock bag. This makes it simple to find the outfit and not search for individual items.

• Do not pack medication you might need at your destination.

• Do not pack home and car keys that you might need upon your return home.

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Packing Checklist

The following list serves as a reminder of what to take on your trip and where best to pack it.

CARRY-ON LUGGAGE:
Our first suggestion is to carry on items that are essential to you and must be accessible if you become separated from your luggage.The following necessities and electronic items should be packed in your carry on luggage, purse or briefcase:

Necessities & trip related material
	Tickets		One set of undergarments  (in case of a bag delay)
	Cash		Toothbrush, paste, floss
	Credit cards		Reading glasses, sunglasses, contacts
	Travelers checks		Make-up
	Passport		Skin care products (moisturizers, lip balm)
	Business cards		Shampoo and conditioner
	Medication		Comb, hairbrush
	Keys to your car and home		Deodorant
	Reading material
Electronic Items
	Laptop computer		Video recorder & extra tapes, batteries
	Camera, film & batteries		Adapters & converters
	Calculator		Travel alarm clocks

 

 

CHECKED LUGGAGE:

We suggest the following items be packed in your checked luggage:

	Casual clothing		Athletic wear
	Dress clothing		Swimsuit
	Shoes (heels, sneakers, walking shoes, sandals )		Socks
	Pajamas		Accessories (scarf, handbag, umbrella, belt)
	Hosiery		Undergarments
If space permits the following are suggested items that make your trip a little more comfortable:
	Anti-bacterial wipes		Nail file
	Atlas		Batteries
	Paper clips		Book on cassette
	Rubber bands		Bread clips or cloths pins
	Extra lock		Toilet seat covers
	Bobby pins		Plastic bags (dry cleaning, garbage & zip lock)
	Safety Pins		Luggage straps
	Band-Aids (a few sizes)		Stationary or post cards & stamps

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Airline Luggage Specifications

Carry-on Luggage Requirements

It is necessary for carry-on luggage to be able to fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment. Many airlines display a template at the gate to assure your carry-on luggage meets their standards. Briefcases and purses should be counted as part of your carry on allowance.

While luggage loss when traveling is minimal, it is recommended that you carry-on items in your luggage that are essential to have access to when you reach your destination. Examples are medication, glasses, money, home and car keys.

Checked Luggage

Each carrier allows the transport of a specific amount of checked luggage without additional charge. The luggage you check should not exceed a linear dimension (length+width+height) of 62ö and a weight of 50 lbs.

Airline Liabilities

Liability for loss, delay or damage to checked baggage is limited to $3000 per passenger when traveling domestically. When traveling internationally, the liability is $9.07 per pound to a maximum of 70 pounds or $634.90 per suitcase. The airlines assume no liability for certain valuable, fragile or perishable articles. If your luggage and packed items exceed the established liability limits, it is advised to inquire about luggage insurance to cover the exclusions. 

Lost or Damaged Luggage Claims

If your luggage is missing or damaged when you reach your destination check in the baggage service office of the carrier you traveled to file a claim. 

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