When it comes to the best way to pack a suitcase that you plan to carry onto the airplane, the restrictions with airlines can be outrageous.

Sometime of the rules probably do ensure a more safe journey, but many are simply a way for airlines to squeeze more money out of people the travelers they supposedly serve.

This week’s podcast contains ideas on the best way to pack a suitcase when you are carrying it on the plane, and things to keep in mind to prevent you from having to check the bag and pay fees.

And at least on some airlines if you are within the regulations and they still make you check bags, they usually will not charge you. (US AIRWAYS)

Today, we will not be talking about the bag that goes in the overhead compartment.

That bag is usually the bigger one and to that I will only say to weigh and measure your bag thoroughly. There will be another show specifically about the larger of the two carry-ons.

In this podcast we are talking about the best way to pack a suitcase when it is the one that you will have near you on the plane.

There is an art to knowing what you will need throughout the entire flight, and packing properly ensures that you will not need to do that thing that people do where they stand in the main aisle of the plane blocking traffic while awkwardly unlocking their suitcase and fishing for a sweatshirt.

You don’t need to do that if you pack your smaller bag properly.

Today’s podcast helps you do to that!

MY LIST OF CARRY ON STUFF – that I almost always bring on every flight (and store under the seat in front of me)

I have links to Amazon for these items because if you are looking to get a number of these items, Amazon is probably the cheapest and fastest way to do it!

I’ve done my best to link to items that have the “Super Saver Shipping” feature – free shipping over $25.  So even though you might be getting a $3 box of earplugs, if you bundle that item with other to reach $25 (other items from the list below or things that you would be buying anyway), you not only pay less than you would if you went out to a store, but you also don’t pay for shipping.

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• Eye Cover: The one I link to is not the one I have but it looks much better. Mine is a good one but is made of a warm material with lots of padding. This makes me sweat and messes up my make-up. I like it, though because it has a small pocket for some earplugs. The next one I will buy will be more like this, with an ear plugs pocket, but much lighter material. The contouring is nice, too!
  
  Dream Essentials Sweet Dreams Contoured Sleep Mask with Earplugs and Carry Pouch, Black
  

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• Ear Plugs: basic is fine. 20 is excessive but maybe you have a big family. They do get lost easily.
  
  Howard Leight MAX-1 Foam Ear plugs Uncorded NRR33 (20 Pair)
  

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• Scarf or Neck Warmer: Turtle Fur is a great brand. I have had the same pare of Turtle Fur long johns for a decade.
  
  Original Turtle Fur – The Turtles Neck, Fleece Neckwarmer, Forest
  

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• Hat:  Turtle Fur Hat
  

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• Fleece: Personally, I like to try jackets on, but this will give you an idea…
  
  Ladies / Womens Full-Zip Anti-Pilling Performance Fleece Jacket
  

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• Warm Socks: These look the closest to the awesome ones that I own.
  
  Acorn VersaFit Socks (Men/Women)
  

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• Tablet/iPod/MP3 player and head phones: I travel with an iPod Touch from 2008 (or “vintage” as the folks at Apple say) which is only for music. The tablet I have is a Nexus 7 with 4 Gigs of Memory. I usually load a movie from Google Play at home before the flight so that I don’t have to depend on in flight entertainment or whether the plane has Wi-Fi. I know that iPad is the hip tablet, but I like the Nexus 7 because the smaller screen is less cumbersome and I’m not as worried about damage or loss with this tablet because it’s not pricy. And I hate having technology from 2008 being called “vintage”.
  

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• Wrist Watch
  

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• Water: Remember, if you are going to get a Vapur Bottle, get the one with the mouth cover that is attached to the bottle. The one that detaches can get lost and then you have to wash off the mouthpiece every time it brushes against something gnarly.
  
  Vapur Element 1L Collapsible Water Bottle (THIS ONE!)Vapur 0.5 Litres Anti-Bottle (NOT THIS ONE!)
  

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• Snacks: I like to pack a box of Ostrich Jerky on every trip.  You can get them at Vitamin Shoppe if you don’t want to order them online, and you should try one stick before buying a whole box because it is definitely a distinct taste.  I also bring nuts, fruit, veggies or chocolate.
  

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• Colgate Wisp Mini-Brush with Freshening Bead, Icy Bubble, 16-Count (Disposable toothbrush/toothpick)
  

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• Hand Sanitizer
  

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• Melatonin (3mg):  I have used as many as 6 milligrams, but 3mg usually does the trick for me.
  

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• Hand Wipes: Clean that plastic tray! (But not your face… these are too harsh)
  
  Purell Personal Pack Wipes, 36 Count
  

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• Tissues (Travel Size)
  

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•  Zip Ties / Cable Ties or Suitcase Lock in case you stow it far from where you are sitting. If you use Zip Ties, do not tighten them all the way around the holes for the suitcase lock and be sure you have a scissors OUTSIDE your suitcase, or you will have a lot of trouble getting them off your bag.
  

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• Beach Ball
  

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• JetZone Jet Lag Prevention Homeopathic, 30 Chewable Tablets – 48 Hours Flying Time
  
  If you are jumping times-zones… this will help, and you need to have it near you on the plane because you take a tablet every couple of hours.
  

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• Hair Tie Elastics
  

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• Band-Aids Bandages
  

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• Travel Size Hand Cream, Coconut Oil or Olive Oil:  Make sure the container is under 3.4oz or 100ML and passes TSA requirements. Even if you only have one ounce of lotion in a bottle, if the bottle holds more than 3.4oz, it will be confiscated.  I buy a large container of coconut oil or olive oil and fill a 1 or 2 ounce glass dropper bottle or lotion/ointment container.  Don’t put coconut oil in the dropper bottle because you won’t be able to get it out if it solidifies.
  

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• Ziploc Storage Bag, Quart Value Pack-50 ct: I like quart size because if you are on your trip and the quart size liquids bag you are using to go through TSA breaks, you have another one (or several) for backup. I usually pack 5-6 baggies for a 1-2 week trip.
  

Attach your reusable Chico Bag to your carry-on. If TSA or the flight crew make you get rid of the disposable grocery bag, shove as much as you can in your carry-on, and carry the water bottle with you. Once you are on the plane, put everything in the Chaco bag.

When I was talking about Melatonin, I also mentioned Ambien. You need a prescription for Ambien, which is a powerful sleeping pill… but it works.

Using a Beach Ball as a pillow: You can use it in front of you as a pillow, or deflate it a bit and use it as a neck pillow.

The post about Jetzone Jet Lag Prevention is coming soon!

I also bring Himalayan Salt – It has helped me relieve headaches, balancing body fluids, provides me with trace minerals.

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The post TBP 0012 The Best Way to Pack a Suitcase (Part 2): Carry-On Luggage appeared first on Travel Better.