With record delays and lost baggage claims plaguing Canadian airports, some travelers may be hoping to lighten their load and ditch checked bags in favor of carry-ons.
However, for those who are not naturally light packers, the transition to streamlined packaging can be a difficult transition. CTVNews.ca spoke with travel expert Jennifer Weatherhead, who says she hasn’t checked a bag at an airport in 12 years, for her tips on how to pack less for your vacation and still be prepared for anything.
KNOW THE HAND LUGGAGE RULES FOR YOUR FLIGHT
Carry-on rules are not universal and depending on the flight you catch, you may be asked to check your bag if you do not meet the airline’s rules. For example, Air Canada allows passengers to carry a carry-on along with a “personal item,” which can include a backpack, garment bag, purse, or shopping bag. Most airlines have measurement requirements that both carry-ons must meet. Some airlines, such as Flair, require passengers to pay for carry-on luggage, while a smaller personal item that can fit under the seat is free.
BOARD YOUR FLIGHT EARLY
Travelers should make an effort to buy tickets in sections of the plane closer to the front if they want to get their bags in faster, according to Weatherhead, although they can be more expensive. Due to the limited space for hand luggage, there are more and more cases where passengers have been asked to check their luggage. According to Weatherhead, the easiest approach to prevent this is to board the plane earlier.
YOU DON’T NEED AS MANY SHOES AS YOU THINK
Weatherhead says the number one item travelers always pack in their luggage is shoes. Along with large toiletries and extra clothes that passengers will never wear.
“(Shoes) don’t fit well in your suitcase and you can’t really cram things around them … so if you’re going to pack an extra pair, make sure it’s worth it,” she says.
Weatherhead recommends planning each day of your trip to make sure you don’t pack clothes or products you don’t need. It’s also helpful, she says, to pack a backpack first and see if you can fit everything in there before moving on to the suitcase.
“CUBE” YOUR ITEMS WHILE PACKING
More and more, it seems like the most sensible way to pack is to compartmentalize or “cube” your items, says Weatherhead. This could mean rolling up and adding your clothes to a small cloth bag before placing them in your suitcase, or adding all your essentials to sealed reusable bags before adding them to your backpack. The idea is that this will “compress” all your items and take up less space, according to Weatherhead, and result in a more compact packing system.
CHECK IF YOU WILL HAVE LAUNDRY SERVICES DURING YOUR TRAVEL
Many Airbnbs have their own washers and dryers, and many hotels offer or are often close to laundry services. Weatherhead recommends packing clothes that can be easily washed and reused, and keeping heavy and luxurious clothing to a minimum. Choose breathable fabrics that will dry faster than cotton and take up less space in your suitcase, she says.
Swap your everyday products for more compact ones
Toiletries always take up a lot of space in your bag, and very often large bottles aren’t really necessary for any trip shorter than two weeks, says Weatherhead. Not to mention that most flights don’t allow containers that hold 100ml or more.
Weatherhead recommends going through the toiletries and removing the ones you don’t use every day, along with the makeup products, and making sure they can all fit in one toiletry bag.
“I think once you go with a carry-on, you can’t go back. It will just feel so much better to have all your stuff with you,” she says.
“And the more you try it, the better you’ll get at it.”
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