CA-CHING!  CA-CHING!   Fees for checked bags and overweight bags can add big bucks to your trip.  Add to that the TSA regulations here in the US and the endless list of other rules that appear to be different in every country and airport and…YIKES!  

So, what’s a travelling parent to do?

You may have read or will soon read my article about What To Take or New TSA Regulations/Packing Tips.  Regardless of WHAT you pack in checked bags or your carry-on…here is the HOW of packing smarter.

1. FIRST!!!  CHECK THE RULES, REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS! 

1. Check the airline’s baggage rules/restrictions.  Every airline has maximum WEIGHT and SIZE and NUMBER restrictions for CHECKED and CARRY ON bags. The last thing you need is for the airline to take away your kids’ or your carry-on with the toys, meds, diapers or whatever that you may need for the flight.  (See What To Take and New TSA Regulations/Packing Tips for more tips and details.)  
   

SUPER TIP! Always carry a back up collapsible/compact bag in your carry on in case an overzealous airline employee decides to take your carry on.

1. Check the TSA website at tsa.gov for prohibited items so you don’t blithely walk through security and have to throw stuff away just because you don’t know what’s allowed.
   

 

Basically the rule is 3-1-1:

3: Liquids and gels in containers of THREE ounces or less all

     neatly tucked into a …

1: ONE quart plastic zip loc bag (re-sealable is the key here). 

1: Only ONE bag is allowed per person.  That is the bad and the

    good news rolled into one.  If your kid (s) don’t need a lot of stuff

    you can get more ‘face cream’ or whatever on board.

1. Check the airport (s) website for special rules and restrictions.  For example Heathrow in the UK used to only allow 1 carry on bag even though the US allows 2. 
   

2. PACK LIGHT. 

Yeah, yeah you’ve heard it before but by not packing to capacity you have solved a couple of issues.  You won’t have to lug as much luggage and you will have a bit of room to bring some stuff back.  Also remember your kids are the most important things you’ll be hauling with you so do yourself a big favor and make sure your total luggage is only as heavy/large/plentiful as the adults in the group can handle by themselves.   Travelling alone with kids?  Splurge on laundry.

3. COLOR COORDINATE.

Mix and match in a simple, if not monochromatic color scheme.  Don’t be afraid of looking bad.   Only your ‘peeps’ will see you every day.  Also, unless you are going to some crazy destination where you can’t buy clothes in a pinch you can always make a fun spontaneous purchase if you feel deprived.

4.MAKE SURE MEDS, IMPORTANT PAPERS, VALUABLES INCLUDING CAMERAS AND THINGS TO ENTERTAIN THE KIDS ARE PACKED IN YOUR CARRY ON.

Don’t end up like my pal Curtis who had an unexpected STRESSFUL lay-over and his blood pressure medicine was checked and on it’s way to goodness knows where instead of being in reach when he needed it.

5. WEAR HEAVY SHOES ON THE PLANE AND PACK THE LIGHT ONES. 

This plan saves space and weight.  EXCEPTION:  If the shoes are crazily difficult to get off at security (this applies especially to kids) opt for the ‘easy shoes’.  The heavier/bigger shoes then will become a receptacle for squishing in socks or other small items.

6. WRAP AND ROLL BABY!

The GOAL: maximize space and minimize wrinkles.   My mom is a roll fan, I’m a wrap fan.  I like to layer, add tissue paper and fold clothes together so you end up with a little ‘packet’ of clothes.  Mom likes to roll them all and lines them up like crayons in a box. It’s all good.

7. 7. ID YOURSELF. 
   

Mark the heck out of your luggage.  INSIDE AND OUT!!  But DON’T put your address on the tags/labels.  Name, phone, email and itinerary are what you need.  Including the itinerary has been key for us in the past.  A lost stroller caught up to us in France because the airline knew where to find us.  Also put a colorful sticker or ribbon on your luggage to make it stand out from the crowd.

8. SECURE YOUR LUGGAGE.  

Some places will not let you LOCK your luggage.  In the US you can use TSA-approved locks on the checked luggage.  But that means anyone at the TSA can open your bag so don’t put the family diamonds in your checked bags.  I usually close the zippers with diaper pins, twist ties or notebook paper rings because it will be a little more annoying for them to open the bags and the thief looking for easy pickings will go to the next bag.

9. SHIP OR RENT.  

This is the ‘throw money at the problem’ section of the tips.   Several companies offer ship ahead luggage service and/or baby equipment rentals.  See WHAT TO TAKE for links.

10.  MAKE YOUR LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE.  

I find lists invaluable.  First of all, lists help me whittle down what I REALLY need which helps me pack lighter.  More importantly when travelling with kids you don’t want to forget essential items like meds or DVD players.  I travel so much I have pre-printed lists like ‘toiletries’ or ‘important papers’ for things that rarely change from trip to trip and I have lists for ‘cold/snow’ and ‘beach’ vacations.

1. CONGRATULATIONS on completing SMARTER PACKING 101.  Go forth and pack!
   

For more packing/travel tips CLICK HERE.