Travel Tips - Packing It In
By Susan B. Barnes
AAA Going Places Magazine, March/April 2003

The destination was selected months ago. Air, hotel and car reservations are confirmed. A new vacation wardrobe has been purchased. Your bags are packed and you are ready to go. Wait! Your bags are packed? With all the new rules and regulations as to what you can and cannot carry onboard or put in your checked luggage, it can be very confusing. Following is a quick tutorial to get you on your way without delay at the airport.

Baby, It's Cold Outside
The first thing to do even before thinking about packing for an upcoming trip is to check the weather. While it may be warm where you are, the temperature may drop at the final destination. You don't want to be caught with shorts in a snowstorm!

Quality, Not Quantity
One thing that most travelers forget, myself included, is that it's not how much, but what you pack. When choosing the clothes you'll be restricted to, remember the most important thing: versatility. Is it really necessary to take three pairs of black pants? Choose the pair that can be casual or dressy and leave the other two clean at home for when you return. In return, choose shirts that can mix and match with the pants or skirts you're taking.

Packing conservatively won't just save room, it will save you a back- and headache pain during your trip.

Getting Personal
Packing for a trip can be nerve-racking. Whether you're nervous about flying, what you'll do when you get to your destination or if everything will go as planned, can affect how well you pack. So often travelers forget personal items, including toothbrushes, shampoo, combs or brushes and deodorant. While the hotel may be able to supply replacements for some of these items, you may find yourself at a corner store to pick up those things that you forgot.

Wheel It Away
The length of trip you're taking will more than likely determine the size of your luggage. In any case, choose some-thing that you find manageable. Remember, there might not be anyone around to help you stuff an oversized bag into a plane's overhead compartment. Wheeled pieces are easy for most everyone, making getting from baggage claim to the rental car facility a breeze. While soft-sided baggage is less expensive, it might not last as long as its hard-sided counterpart. Consider how much traveling you do and determine if the investment is worthwhile.

Yes or No
With the security regulations that airlines are implementing for today's travelers, it's best to check with your airline as to what is restricted. As a general rule of thumb for carry-on baggage, any type of knives, sporting goods (including base-ball bats, golf clubs and ski poles), guns, tools, explosives, flammable items or disabling chemicals (such as chlorine or teargas) are prohibited. However, all listed save the explosives, flammable items and chemicals may be checked in your luggage. For an updated list as to what is permitted and prohibited, log on to www.tsa.gov/public. If you're taking a gift to someone, save some heartache and be sure to leave it unwrapped. While going through security, you may have to undo all of the hard work that you did so that the gift can be inspected.

The most important thing to remember when preparing for a trip is the reason you're going, whether it's for vacation, a visit to family or a business trip. By planning what and how you pack, you're already ahead of the game and well on your way.