The Secret To Carry On Success!
With airline fees and restrictions increasing more and more; travelling with just a carry on is becoming the ideal choice. However, it can be TOUGH. How are you supposed to fit everything in one tiny suitcase ?
Luckily, I have a few friends who happen to be flight attendants & they are unpacking their greatest hacks. Here are a few simple tips if you find yourself with a lot of stuff but not a lot of space! Thank you Amber, Brandy and Lennie who took the time to send me their fav travelling tips xo
1. Buy What You Can At Your Destination
Especially when travelling with kids; they need a lot of things. But many times you can buy diapers and wipes when you arrive. I usually pack what we will need for the trip down ( and a few extra!) and then buy the rest at our destination.
Same goes for the big bottle items that you can’t have in your carry on. I have a specific hairspray and dry shampoo that I love. Fortunately they are cheap but they don’t come in travel size! (More on travel size down below)
My friend Brandy adds “ NEVER pack a hairdryer; everywhere you go will have one”.
2. Travel Size Is Your Friend
You would be SHOCKED at how many things you can get travel sized nowadays.
Brandy swears by Neutrogena individually wrapped makeup wipes. “They take up no space at all”. She also recommends investing in travel sized products if available of your fav items. Sephora points are great to use for purchasing your fav items in smaller sizes.
When it comes to hair, we already talked about the hairdryer. My friend Amber has a GREAT hack for curls. “Pack or wear a long skinny scarf to do heatless curls.” No extra space needed for a curling iron.
It’s really handy if you have one of the plastic liquid bags from a previous trip to repack your stuff in there. Otherwise just use a medium ziplock bag. It depends on the airport. Edmonton (YEG) seems to be ok with using the ziplock in my experience. Vancouver (YVR) is not - they make you use the designated bags. Make sure they will all fit.
3. Wear Your Biggest Items
This seems like a no brainer but seriously - if you can wear your jacket do it. Bulky sweaters; tie them around your waist. Wear jeans rather than leggings.
4. Backpacks Are Amazing
Along with your carry on, try and have a back pack. It will be great for just a little extra space and keeping your hands free. It counts as a personal item so you can put it in front of you under the seat. Just remember your purse has to fit in there too. Normally you can have either the purse or the backpack; but not both.
Backpacks are a lifesaver for travelling with kids and all the “stuff” they need haha. And if your kids can - make sure they have backpacks too. Then THEY can carry their tablets and coloring supplies.
5. When Packing - Have Easy Access
This is where the backpack comes in handy. For security; you’re going to have to take out battery packs, laptops, tablets and liquids. If these are OUT of your carry on and just in your backpack it makes things so much easier to unzip and take out for security clearance. You can leave your carry on zipped up and just fire it on the belt.
Alternatively, Amber recommends putting those items in the front zip pocket of your carry on. That way, again, easier access.
6. MEASURE Your Suitcase.
Now more than ever; airlines are pretty strict with the carry on size. Make sure you check before you leave and measure twice. Cause they will. Apparently 19 inches will keep you safe. (insert all your jokes here).
7. Make Your Luggage Work For You
I recently got this carry on and I LOVE it. It charges your phone and holds your coffee. Fantastic as you are waiting at your gate to board.
Although- truth be told. My flight attendant friends DO NOT recommend a hard sided carry on. Invest in a SOFT sided one. This is because they can fit into tight spaces easier than hard sided ones.
8. How You Pack Your Suitcase Counts
Rolling your clothes will get you the most space. As a former Gap Girl this hurts haha I love to fold my shirts and sweaters so perfectly they could go on a shelf but that actually takes up way too much space.
I have never used packing cubes but a lot of flight attendants, like Lennie say they are great for space saving. Go for the plastic compression bags not the zipper ones. And when it comes to books - DOWNLOAD. Don’ let them take up all of your space!
9. Your Shoes Can Help You
Use your shoes for storage! Pack things inside your shoes in your suitcase to maximize space. And as much as it hurts; max 2 pairs. Wear your boots, pack your flats.
10. Layers Baby
Layers can help you big time when coordinating outfits. A black well fitting tank top goes a long way. It sounds so early 2000s but think “day to night”. Lose a sweater and add some jewelry and BAM. - new look. Brandy adds to wear the same outfit travelling there and back. While Amber says wear layers on the plane just in case something gets spilled on you or (god forbid) someone pukes. Hey- it happens, especially with kids haha.
I hope this helps with your future travel plans!! Remember; no one remembers what you wear as much as you do haha so take the pressure off and don’t pack your whole closet. But it’s ok to still pack 10 pairs of underwear for a 5 day trip. We all do it.
xoxo Jacks
Disney World is BIG but these tips can help :)