We carry copies but also make sure our D has a copy of our passports as well.
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We carry our passports at all times overseas, but we also bring a color copy and have pics of them on the phone. S2 carries his passport everywhere, all the time, in Ukraine. The military will pick up military-aged men and put them into immediate service these days. He has been approached many times. Most of his male friends didn’t attend the wedding because the towns we were in were close to the Hungarian border and are known low-key exits for men to leave the country.
We have never had a problem with pickpockets or hotel theft. Pre-Covid, H did a lot of int’l travel and the two of us also go overseas at least once a year (mainly Eastern European countries since S2 moved there). H uses a front waist pouch. I still use my regular shoulder bag. Have considered an RFID bag with knife-proof straps but need to find something that works for me.
Honestly I don’t like leaving passport in room safe OR carrying it on me. But recently in Mexico I definitely was glad here was a safe.
I don’t know all that many people who have travelled abroad, but over the years I have heard stories about pickpocket victims (including Dad decades ago in Rome - he had forgotten to follow tourguide instructions to safety pin his pockets closed). In Barcelona we could watch the potential thefts from our balcony… beware especially when gathering to watch entertainment.
Surprisingly we heard about a young Asian couple on our VIking cruise last Oct who had their backpack strap slashed… then stolen. Despite our tour director’s advise to leave valuables on the ship in Strousbough they had brought $6000 cash (we think they planned to buy a watch or something?). Stupid.
My sister lost a passport in Paris when she was doing study abroad. She was studying in Germany but happened to be in Paris to meet up with with my father. She got it replaced in Paris. She recently had her purse stolen right here in the USA. She’d just come back from Europe and her passport was in her purse. This was entirely her fault (leaving her purse in her car while at the gym) and she was able to track it by calling her daughter and using the ‘find my phone’ feature, and the cops found the car about 10 miles away, but the thieves caught on and pulled a fire alarm and the cops needed to attend to that. So it happens in the US too.
A former boss left his passport in his camera case in a LA hotel and it was stolen. He was told that thieves know people do this so check the camera case.
I got lucky on a vacation (cruise) last year. Left from LA and we were very tired. I fell asleep on the deck after boarding and when they announced we could go to our cabins I got up and somehow left my purse on the deck. I noticed it a short time later, dashed to the deck but no sign of it. Crew told me to check at the main desk and someone (crew probably) had turned it in. I didn’t think anything valuable was in it (I had my wallet) but I was happy to get my favorite purse back. I opened it and there was my passport. My name to stapled to a paper on the strap. So why didn’t they call my stateroom and let me know?
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My mom was holding her dad’s and her and a friend’s passport on her purse in a bus in Mexico and accidentally left it in the bus. They went back and were told they were likely out of luck but fortunately were able to find the bus and purse totally intact with passports and cash!
We only use our front pockets.
I stopped using a purse and only use this in my front pocket and it is so tightly in the pocket that even I have to wiggle to get it out:
H uses a tyvex wallet in his front pocket and keeps his hand/thumb there in crowds.
Do you think these would be a problem with pick pocketing?
I have something like that (thanks for the link, I can now get a new one), and I love it for just necessities, including a credit card, my license, a little cash and my car key.
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I only travel about once a year where I get on a flight and I always use a carry on. The one I have is probably 10 years old and while it’s still in good shape and I like the way it looks, it’s heavy even empty! And thus I have a bit of anxiety every time I board the plane and worry about how/if I can get it up/down in the luggage rack. I know, I know, ask for help but really I would prefer to know I can manage it myself without sweating it out.
So I have a trip in a couple of weeks to NYC. 4 days, 3 nights. Work conference. It’s mid May so hopefully just a light jacket or raincoat for outerwear. I’m thinking about looking for a weekender type bag that might have rolling wheels - or a nicer looking duffle type bag that has wheels. I just think this might meet my usual travel needs and be easier to manage. I will have to “make do” with my clothing selections. I’ll also have a backpack as my personal item (the one that so many of us bought a few years ago! Great for electronics, personal items, extra stuff).
Thoughts, suggestions??? I’m a mix and match type of girl and will just stick to a couple of color families so I can mix and match. Shoes are always the challenge. I’ll try and stick to a pair of sneakers on my feet and then pack one pair of other shoes that aren’t bulky.
I have same concerns about heavy carry-on bag. When traveling alone on a full flight, especially if in a later boarding group, I eagerly accept the offer to do a free gate check. The downside is an extra stop at baggage claim.
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My D is short and hates dealing with the carry-on, trying to grab a spot for it and then hoist it up. She travels several times a year and always gate-checks her bag to avoid the hassle. Sometimes the gate-checked bags get sent to baggage claim, but she is ok with that versus having to deal with it on the plane. It also allows her to stuff it full and not worry that it’s too heavy or fat to fit in the bin. Never a problem with size of bag at the gate.
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For a recent trip, I purchased just a carry on backpack. It was small enough to fit under the seat but large enough to fit all my stuff. I would think with those travel bags you can compress you would get even more mileage with this type of bag.
TJ Maxx has a good selection of luggage. I have a nice carry on that I bought there. The brand name is Delsey.
At TJ Maxx I can lift and roll the bag to see how it works. I can also bring it home and try out how well the bag handles with stuff in it.
I like a four wheel bag but everyone has their preference.
I did splurge on a backpack with a luggage sleeve. I had a birthday so it was my gift. My mil gave me a check. I figure that I’m going to be traveling more and wanted a backpack with a luggage sleeve. Mine is MZ Wallace but like I said, it was a splurge and a gift. I’m sure you can find something on amazon. The luggage sleeve is key though
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My go-to carry on is by Le Sportsac that is at least 15 years old and similar to this:
It fits easily under a seat so I don’t ever have to fight for an overhead bin (plus it’s handier to have everything with me.
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I also have a very small wheeled bag. Like this
It was perfect for a short trip I took earlier this year. And it was easy to get into the overhead bin.
I either gate check when I can or I’ve always had an offer to help. A small bag like above I had no problems handling on my own
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I may have looked at this one!
I’ve gate checked too before but when going to NYC I don’t want any occasion to increase any chance of having to go to baggage claim, no thanks!
I actually plan to hit TJ this weekend and see in person like you said @deb922 . I do prefer something with wheels in some way though as I can only pack so light and I don’t want to carry my main bag on my arm through two busy airports!
Appreciate the thoughts and suggestions!
If you have Nordstrom Rack near you sometimes they have nice options too, or you can check on-line. They are hit or miss.
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Closest is an hour away…slight chance might be in that area next weekend…they sometimes have some nice discounts on high end stuff!
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TJ is where I got my backpack as well. It is great to be able to try what they are like before buying.
The only reason I got a backpack as we had to high tail it from the airport directly to a college tour. Didn’t want to be rolling around a bag and embarrass the kid 
Luckily it wasn’t too heavy.
Nordstrom Rack appears to have some great deals on Travel
Pro luggage right now.
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