Departing tomorrow on Condor airlines which gives each of us one checked bag, and has carry-on dimensions smaller than my it-would-be-OK-on-another-airline wheelie carry-on. Stuff everywhere as I determine what it is, exactly, that I do want with me en route in case of a travel delay or delayed luggage situation, and what it is that I won’t need at all until arrival and/or can live without if it doesn’t make it.
First world problem, I know. But the mess has made me so crazy that I just had to walk away from it for a bit. To bad Donut Day was last week.
Carry-on: documents, medicine/glasses/contacts, valuables, anything you want to use in-flight like reading material and headphones, snacks, a change of clothes just in case. Checked bag: everything else.
S just came home last night after a day of delays and his phone was down to 1% because he didn’t think he would need his charging cable during the trip. So phone charger def in a carry-on!
I keep lists in my IPad so that I can make sure I don’t forget the things I usually forget, like sunglasses.
Carry on—medications, small amount of toiletries, glasses, phone, electronics, one days worth of clothes (or wear them), anything needed immediately (could be a swimsuit for example).
Have fun!
Also, I suggest segregating (e.g. in a ziplock bag), for quick removal to your purse, any items that you would absolutely not want to risk losing to theft, should the carry-on itself end up having to be checked when you board the plane. We actually had this happen several times when the plane was small.
A friend had her camera stolen when her carry-on had to be checked unexpectedly.
The phone charging paraphenalia is the most over looked one - as noted above! If this is an overseas trip, carry-on the electric plug converters.
Great list above! I also carry-on my curling iron. I have difficult hair and feel I look atrocious if I can’t use the curling iron before going public. I don’t want to be in the position of not feeling presentable. (I’m not really vain and won’t be winning beauty contests - I just want to feel comfortable with my appearance!)
Question - what is the size of your carry on? Is it a 20 inch suitcase or a backpack you’re shoving under the seat in front of you? You mention the carry on having to be smaller than what some airlines allow but not sure if that means its a suitcase as opposed to a backpack or one of those small briefcase type wheeled items.
I don’t like having to physically keep up with my luggage so I would put the bare basics listed above in the carry on. With a major trip, definitely pack a change of clothes and anything that would allow you to have fun if your main suitcase is delayed or lost. My iPad is my go-to entertainment/command center. So with a charger and noise cancelling headphones, I could be happy anywhere.
My carryon contains my meds, cameras, travel documents and itinerary/hotel info for the first couple days, clean underwear, big scarf (good for light blanket or covering airplane food mishaps), clean shirt and charging gear. Meds take up half the carry-on (need to carry them in original bottles). Sometimes I take embroidery supplies for a project. A dental floss container is a good thread cutter. May decide to load my phone with some books and music this year. If I take dead tree reading material, I carry a magazine that I can recycle or leave on the plane for someone else to read.
I stick a small packable bag in the carry-on (think small nylon grocery bag on a carabiner) which I don’t pull it out til I’m on the plane. I use it while on the plane to hold anything I’ll actively use during the flight so I don’t have to go digging through a bag that’s overhead or under my feet while I’m in the air.
I’ve quit taking my netbook along – I just use my phone and it saves me four pounds.
Some international airlines have slightly smaller max size carry-on allowances (21" vs 22") and more strictly enforce their restrictions, so I’m guessing that’s what she meant. ??. Combine that with the fact that many manufacturers advertise the dimensions without wheels and handles, but they don’t tell you that. The airlines only care about whether you bag fits in their measuring contraption, wheels and handles included.
This article tested 11 bags advertised to meet carry-on size requirements and 9 were larger than claimed by the manufacturer and too large to meet many airline size restrictions.
I actually have one carry-on for domestic travel, a slightly smaller one for international, and everything I might want to pull out and shove into my daypack is organized in various ziplocks. Even when I go through security, my wallet, keys, phone, etc. all go in ziplocks before I throw them in the bin.
Agree it’s crucial to pack the Rx and electronic chargers in hand carry. Also all essential travel docs showing reservations. Also being jackets & wrap cause I get cold easily. I guess I could pack some underwear and a spare shirt too. Normally, I carry everything with me on the plane.
OP - I don’t know Condor Airlines, but I took a look at their website. Looks like they are a discount carrier?
Be aware of the weight of your carry-on as well as dimensions. The discount carriers have a reputation for taking weight limits literally (as well as dimensions.) My son was once caught overweight on a discount carrier and made to pay up. I frequently notice my full price Asian carrier weighing the carry-ons of those with no FF status, even when the bag’s dimensions are acceptable.
The long leg is on Condor, so luggage has to meet their rules. Carry-on 55 x 40 x 20 cm, personal item 40 x 30 x 10 cm. My little wheelie bag is just past Condor’s limits and I don’t want any ugly surprises at the airport, especially given that each of us can check a bag. If it were only me going, I could make it work with a duffle carry-on and a personal item. However Happydad has a CPAP and a new larger-than-personal-item-size briefcase, and since the invention of wheelie bags he has been most unhappy whenever he’s had to deal with duffles hanging off of his shoulders in airports.
So my wheelie gets checked, he will check a wheelie, he will shlep the CPAP in its case and his briefcase (with his phone, charger, etc.), and I will for the first time in years stroll on board with my purse and a personal item-sized tote with the change of clothes. I think the last time I did that was back before Happykid entered the picture.
Condor carryon requirements are 21.6 x 15.7 x 7,8 in (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and weighing up to 13 lb (6 kg). Sounds pretty similar to many other European carriers, with dimensions are a bit wider and a bit thinner than the US standard. The weight limits are tough - a standard roller bag can easily take up half of that weight allowance.
The CPAP shouldn’t count as a carry-on as it is a medical device but better to travel light, IMO, anyway and check as much as you can. I must be one of the few who still likes to check luggage. I dislike having to haul everything around with me.
