Travelling carry-on only is all the rage lately. Even for long-term or full-time travel. But, for some–like my husband–it may not be possible even for a weekend trip.
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Not only is minimalist living becoming ever more popular, but almost all airlines charge for checked bags. So, most people, with enough planning, can achieve “carry-on only” travel for weeks, months, or even full-time.
True Confessions: Forgotten Luggage
The Right Bags
Unless you’re traveling with the most basic economy ticket which doesn’t allow a carry-on bag, you are generally allowed to take two pieces of luggage on the plane with you. This includes one that goes in the overhead compartment and one that fits under the seat in front of you.
Carry-On Suitcase
The main piece of luggage for your carry-on is going to be what some people call a “wheelie bag”. While the permitted size varies slightly on each airline, you will find that domestic US flights have a slightly larger allowed size than on international flights.
Average size for domestic flights is 22in x 14in x 9in whereas in Europe the average seems to be 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (21.6in x 15.7in x 7.87in). El Al carry-on size is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 17.7in x 9.8in). Furthermore, for international flights, airlines tend to be much more stringent with enforcing weight limits for carry-ons.
So, if most of your travel will be international, or you only want to own one carry-on suitcase, then you should stick with something in the 21″ range and as lightweight as possible. But, keep in mind that if an airline limits your carry-on weight to 15 pounds and your suitcase weighs 8, you won’t really be able to take much no matter how small the suitcase is.
If you are in the market for a new carry-on suitcase, the Beis suitcase pictured above has reviews that far surpass suitcases at twice the price. It’s a hard-sided expandable suitcase with organizational and compression features inside, a padded handle, TSA approved lock, 360 degree wheels, an excess weight indicator, and more. Even though it costs less than comparable bags, if you are only planning to use it once or twice, you may want to consider a cheap alternative at your local discount store.
An interesting option for a carry-on suitcase is the Olympia Apache Ii pictured below. It’s also hard-sided, expandable, and has 360-degree wheels. But, additionally, it has a patented hidden compartment in the center of the suitcase. This allows items to be protected, hidden, and accessed without opening the entire suitcase. The company shows a neck pillow, full-size headphones, and a laptop stored there. There are organizational pockets for your wallet and passport. My son is going to try this bag with his tefillin bag and sefer in the compartment (maybe his liquids too). This gives him easy access to his sefer on the plane (and liquids at security). Furthermore, it will protect his tefillin and he won’t have to carry them separately to keep them away from his packed shoes and laundry.
Personal Item
The personal item is something that you get to bring with you even on the most basic ticket. It’s something that fits under the seat in front of you. Many people will just bring their laptop case with them, or women will even bring their everyday purse. This is a wasted opportunity. If you need the laptop case or purse with you at your destination, then by all means bring it. But, put it into one of your other bags.
Just like the carry-on size varies, so does the personal item size. Average for domestic flights seems to be around 17in x 13in x 8in with great variation. In Europe, the average is somewhat smaller at about 16in x 12in x 6in. El Al limits their personal item 30cm x 38cm x 18cm (11.8in x 14.96in x 7.1in).
So, if you shouldn’t just bring your laptop, what should you bring?
There are many options. For example, you could bring a duffle bag that’s the right size. You could bring a small suitcase on wheels designed for under the seat. If you go this route, be to get one with 360-degree wheels so you can wheel it back-to-back together with your carry-on.
Or, my favorite is to bring a backpack. Plenty of pockets for organizing various items, I can carry it hands-free in the airport, and use it on any daytrips I may go on while on vacation. I am currently using the one picture below. It has a TSA approved lock, laptop and tablet sleeves, headphone and charger ports, many pockets including hidden ones that I keep money and passports in, as well as a zipper pocket in one of the shoulder straps. I keep my ID there so I don’t have to take it off and get out my wallet at security. So far I’ve really been happy with this backpack. It comes in 3 different sizes depending on your laptop and several colors. Most options are under $40.
Regardless of what you chose, be sure it has a trolley sleeve to pass the handle of your carry on through making it easier to walk through the airport.
Other Stuff (that doesn’t count)
Most airlines have a list of things that don’t count towards their carry-on/personal item allotment. Now, don’t go crazy and pile on the freebies. But, be reasonable, and carry a few of these separately so you can use the space in your carry-on for other stuff.
Usually a coat, neck pillow and blanket, hat, duty-free purchases (or anything else you bought at the airport), reading material, camera, medical devices (ex: cane, oxygen, CPAP, collapsible wheelchair, nursing pump, etc.), umbrella, car seat and stroller (when traveling with the child), and soft-sided cooler with mother’s milk (even without the baby) are allowed.
5 Advantages of Flying with a Toddler
Additionally, you can bring one diaper bag per small child. My older son brings his hatbox as his personal item, so he uses my toddler’s personal item allotment for his own backpack. We get all we need for the toddler in another backpack we use as a diaper bag.
Furthermore, a bag of food for use during the flight does not count either. But this does not mean enough food to last for your entire vacation. Just for the flight.
All that being said, be considerate. Don’t get on the plane with your winter coat over one arm, blanket over the other, camera dangling from you neck, hobbling on crutches, pushing a wheelchair laden with duty-free purchases, dragging a stroller that’s balancing a car seat, the world’s largest diaper bag, the Library of Congress, and a seven course meal.
But, by all means, don’t force the neck pillow, book, or bag of bagels into your backpack. And, if you’re not worried that the Borsalino will get crushed, skip the hatbox and wear it on your head.
And, always check with your airline ahead of time to confirm the specifics for your flight and ticket class.
Why Can’t We Pack Carry-on Only?
Having said all that, so why can’t we travel carry-on only? My husband’s personal item is his hatbox and he uses his carry-on suitcase for his spudik (Shabbos fur hat) and Tallis/Tefillin bag. That’s all before he’s even packed a single pair of socks!
The first things into our checked bag are his bekeshes. Then everything else can go in too.
A few weeks ago, we flew to Baltimore for two-days midweek. That meant no bekeshes or spudik. So, we were able to fly carry-on only!! It was great. It felt so liberating.
We try to travel carry-on only because we don’t want to wait at baggage claim, pay luggage fees, have too much stuff with us, or not fit in the car. At the end of the day, if a family of seven needs to check one suitcase, so be it. L’Kavod Shabbos Kodesh.
I’d love to hear your packing hacks.
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