Frequent flyers and many travel experts have recommended checking as little baggage as possible, for a long time. Given the security concerns of the times, the former speed of carry-on bags – quicker check-in; less time waiting for your bags at the termination of your trip; elimination of lost baggage concerns… have all been seriously eroded.
Best Tips if You Still Want or Have to Take Your Carry-on
1. Get up to date – check with your country’s transport safety administration to see what the new rules are. In Canada, it’s the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. Here is their list of permitted and not permitted items for all luggage.
2. Follow the rules to a tee. Assume that there are no gray areas; There are none! If you’re not sure, put the item in your checked baggage.
3. Be prepared for extra security checks if you have carry-on… especially if you’re flying to the USA.
4. Make sure to pack the minimum. It makes your bag easier to inspect and easier to move and stow in the confined area of the aircraft.
5. Know the size limits for your carry-on bags. Each airline has different limits and different aircraft also have differing limits. The smaller the airplane, the smaller the limit.
Note that, for travelers going to the US, the advantages of carry-on baggage have pretty much come to an end.
There are still precious things that you must carry-on to avoid losing them. Don’t try to fudge anything else in there as you will be subjected to more security scrutiny. CNN Travel had an article about carry-on baggage as well.
More bonus tips:
Careful with the underwire bras and airport security.
Upcoming Changes??
Undressing the naked truth about the future of airline travel
By Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal, January 7, 2010
February 25th, 2010 at 11:42 am
If you decide to purchase a luggage cart to take some of the strain off your body as you travel
April 12th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
You can consider me in for a Digg. Thanks for posting this on your website!