How to Pack for Frequent Travel

Tough times mean taking any job you can get. If that job happens to include travel, this article will help you though. Happy and safe travels.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Suitcase
• Computer bag
• common sense

1. Purchasing luggage is probably the most important factor to efficient travel. It is best to purchase an FAA certified case that will fit in the overhead compartment of most aircraft. In this case, size does matter. Ensure that the materials used are light but very rugged. Though you shouldn’t have to invest a huge amount of money, don’t skimp either. A soft shell is best because of the weight, or lack there of and you will thank yourself while you’re running to catch your next flight.

2. Another important consideration in your luggage purchase is the travel trolley. I mistakenly opted for an external trolley. Not only is this inefficient going through security, but can make you and the passengers in the plane completely bonkers. The time it takes to remove the trolley and then stow it can increase stress and delay boarding. Sometime, a flight can be so full that stowing the trolley is near impossible. An internal trolley, on the other hand, is simple, efficient and durable.

3. If you are a professional or serious armature photographer, KATA makes a nice line of padded luggage that will protect your equipment. Otherwise, you probably don’t need much padding in your luggage. Look for lots of external pocket space for small items that need to be accessed while in an airport.

4. Laptop cases are also crucial if you use one. Unlike your luggage, padding is necessary for the main compartment so your valuable laptop does not get damaged. Make sure your laptop case has a zippered slip-through pocket so you can slip the case onto the handle of your luggage trolley. Traveling becomes a breeze and you can zip through the airport in record time.

5. Packing correctly can increase the amount of stuff you pack. If you need to wear business suites, it may be worth purchasing a garment bag that integrates with your rolling luggage. But if you tend to wear only one sports jacket throughout the week and change only your pants & shirt, a garment bag is overkill. Just wear your jacket while traveling and pack everything else. Business casual is even easier.

6. Here are some essential practices for traveling light and quick:
   1. Toothpaste, shaving cream, soap, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and even razors are available for free in most hotel chains (though the razors are quite cheap so bring your own). Leaving all those items behind will save you those valuable minutes going through security as well as having a lighter bag.
   2. Pack a travel sized comb and/or hairbrush.
   3. Your toothbrush does not take much room, so full sized is of not consequence.
   4. Instead of folding your clothes, roll them. It takes less room and if you roll them properly it can save you from some ironing.
   5. Always pack at least one extra pair of underwear and socks. Great wisdom from our mothers… but not just because of ‘accidents’.
   6. If you are going to more than one location within the week, you can probably get away with wearing one pair of pants at least twice. In my job, I can usually wear the same pants all week, because most of the time, I am changing into hospital scrubs. Plan carefully.
   7. Same with shirts. If you aren’t doing physical labor and don’t sweat much or at all, you can probably re-use one shirt at least twice.
   8. If re-wearing the same clothes seems a bit unkempt, then take advantage of the hotel laundry service. It only cost a couple dollars but it saves valuable room and weight in your luggage.
   9. In cool or cold seasons, immediately place your jacket or coat in your luggage when you enter the airport. This will save time both in the security line and when boarding.
   10. Keep your pockets as empty as possible. The only thing you should have in your pockets is keys, money, boarding pass, and wallet. The only thing you should be wearing is your cell phone. Anything else can easily be stowed in your laptop bag or luggage.

7. Books are a great way to kill time, but the larger ones can be quite bulky. If you can afford it, purchase an E-book. There are numerous titles you can download for free (classics and other older books). New titles may be cheaper to purchase electronically because there are no production costs. You only carry one E-book that can hold tens or hundreds of titles; a huge space saver.
   
   New cell phones that play music files can also play books on CD. You can download them while you’re in the airport and listen to them on the plane.

8. When traveling, observe carefully what you use and what you don’t. So the next time you travel, you can leave something behind that was either unnecessary or too cumbersome. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know! I’m always looking to pack lighter and more efficiently.

Tips & Warnings

• Luggage can be expensive, but you must consider it an investment. Never buy the cheapest and do some research before you make a purchase.
• Go through your wardrobe and separate your casual clothes from your work clothes. Bring both, but only what you know you'll use.
• Going through airport security is annoying and, let's face it, useless. But to make things go easier and faster, follow their rules.
• If you live 90 minutes or more from a major airport, check your local airport. More air shuttles are appearing on the scene and are usually cheaper than the cost of driving and parking for a week at a major airport. If I'm gone more than 3 days, my company would rather pay the air shuttle than my gas and parking.

[WordWhizKid]

on 2/12/2009 Thanks for these extensive tips, I hadn't thought of a lot of these! 5*s!