One Bag and One Bag only

I am a big believer in One Bag travel. I travel - a lot. Did 70 legs on the airplane this year. Mostly for business and I never checked a bag.

Partly because I have lost luggage before. (Once for four days on a ski trip) And mostly because I am cheap and won't pay checked bag fees.

But I also find the simplicity liberating. All my stuff for up to a week in one bag. I pack light but not ultra lightweight. Yes I re-wear clothes during a week but no one really notices.

But I do have some quirks, perhaps shared with other travelers.

1. I have a compulsion to search for the perfect bag for one bag travel. And my standards change a lot.

2. I dont like rollerboards. I don't like their bumping down the airplane aisle and watching folks have to half unload them to get them into the bin. They are great for dragging through the airport and to the rental car, but not so great on the plane.

3. I wanna be first on the plane to stake my claim to overhead space.

4. While my clothes bag is fairly light, my laptop/book bag usually runs heavy. But I make sure it will go under the seat.

So what about you? What are your one-bag secrets?

Comments

[Brian Ayers]

Great tips!

When I'm not traveling with my wife I try to do many of the things you suggested and I'm usually successful in never having to check bags... when she's traveling with me its a lost cause.

[djchuang]

taking a carry on and not checking in also saves time; waiting for baggage claim can be a good 30+ minutes wait; what i havent figured out yet is how to take sneakers AND dress shoes? staying fit with workout is good for ya on the road, at home too

what kind of luggage bag have you used, and what works well and is durable?

[Dave Travis]

My wife and my teenages are learning how to travel with one bag, so don't give up hope Brian.

And DJ, I will address the shoe issues in a later post as well as post reviews regularly of my favorite carry-on bags.

Thanks for posting guys.

[Noel]

I carry an Oakley Vertical Bag for my computer, a couple books and other necessities. I keep it very light.

Everything else (including a few more books) goes into my one carry on. That makes it heavier, but I do like to roll it and I have the perfect size to fit in the overhead compartment.

The only thing that burns me is when I have to gateside check the carry on. Grr..

Oh, and my wife loves to check luggage.