As the wife of a pilot, I have been fortunate to do a great deal of traveling over the years. I have also learned to take the good with the bad in terms of the “perks” of employee travel. We used to fly standby frequently and have often gotten stuck in airports for excessive amounts of time. One can imagine that with three kids, that is not a day at the park. I also have learned to be a “master packer” since my husband feels strongly about carrying on our luggage. “You never know”, he always says and he is often right (wait did I just say that?). So over the years, I have learned to consolidate, prioritize, and stick to the essentials. As a home organizer, I provide this service for several clients-especially when a long and exotic holiday is planned. I thought I would share some of my favorite tips for getting organized for travel.
Planning and Packing:
1. Small suitcases with lots of compartments are essential (if your suitcase is black like mine, tie a bright scarf or bow around the handle so you can easily spot yours at the baggage carousel).
2. Have a designated spot for packing. Have piles for each family member so you can make sure you have everything you need before you put it in the suitcase.
3. Stick to neutrals! Add splashes of color with scarves or inexpensive jewelry.
4. Use the drawstring bags that bed-sheets come in for storing shoes.
5. Plan on wearing your most comfortable heavy shoes and pack only versatile shoes. Leave the purple stilettos at home!
6. Lay out your family’s clothes for the day of travel so they don’t rummage through the suitcase to find something to wear.
7. I am not a fan of Ziploc bags for single time use but I love them for travel. The ones you can label with a marker are great for staying organized and you can reuse them. Keep one for each of the below:
Chargers and electronics
Important paperwork (passports, plane tickets, maps, etc)
Medications
Swim goggles
Snacks
Activities for the kids
Toothbrushes, floss, and paste
Sun-block
Teabags (nothing like having a nice cup of tea on the plane)
8. Hanging cosmetic cases are great for makeup and other essential. They keep you organized once you get to your destination as well.
9. Make sure you pack your liquids in a small quart sized bag and have them ready at security unless you are checking luggage. One of the perks of checking your bags is you have no restriction on the volume of liquid per container. I believe when carrying on, you can have one quart sized bag per person and all liquids must be no more than 3.4 oz each.
10. Another wise tip is to pack a collapsible bag in your suitcase for items purchased on your trip-you can always check this bag if need be.
11. Pack clothes you can layer to be prepared for temperature variances.
To check or not to check your baggage:
Pros to checking bags –
1. You don’t need to worry about liquid regulations and can bring a full bottle of shampoo or sun-block if you choose.
2. You don’t have to lug your bags through the airport.
Cons –
1. Cost, they usually charge $25 per bag.
2. If you have a tight connection there is a chance your bag might not make it.
3. You usually end up bringing more than you need.
We usually carry our bags on the plane. A few small rolling bags to share and a back pack each. This way you have a free hand. Remember, most airlines charge per bag so if you are on a budget or have a tight connection it is wise to keep your bags with you.
A few other tips to making your trip easy:
1. Wear your biggest heaviest shoes on the plane but make sure they are easy to get on and off at the security check point.
2. Bring a empty filtered water bottle so you don’t spend an arm and a leg staying hydrated.
3. Don’t wear anything with a belt or metal so you can quickly move through the security line.
4. Be prepared, they don’t usually feed you on the plane so you either have to purchase a premade meal on the plane or get something in the airport. Your best bet is packing a lunch, but be sure to leave the liquids at home.
5. Always bring a scarf or pashmina to avoid the questionable airline blankets.
6. And last but not least, sit back relax and enjoy the trip!
Here are a few of my favorite essentials:
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Stainless Steel water bottles from The Water Geeks
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| Great for Hydrating on the Plane! Place some Fresh Rosewater in a small spray bottle. |
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| Don't forget a travel neti pot to clear out your sinuses after being on the plane for several hours. Find one at your local yoga studio. |
