Fundamentals of flying packing · Packing in Fundamentals of flying
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Packing in Fundamentals of flying
Packing in Fundamentals of flying
For flying, there are two basic types of luggage: checked and carry-on sometimes referred to "hold" and "hand" luggage, respectively, even "cabin baggage". Checked luggage is usually given to airline staff at check-in time and, after electronic or hand screening, transported by airport crew to temporary storage and loaded into the hold of the aircraft. Luggage limits for both types are discussed below.
Carry-on luggage is taken on board the flight with you. The weight and size limits for it can be very restrictive and can vary by airline (e.g., budget versus major carrier) and size of aircraft. Some may let you carry little more than a few essentials for comfort and small, easily damaged items. There the challenges start.
Never put high-value or irreplaceable items in your checked luggage. Somehow you need to personally carry all your official/valuable papers, cash/bank cards/passports and high-value items (e.g., jewelry, electronics, Rx or irreplaceable medications) with you.
- In some airports, security of checked luggage has been an issue; contents have occasionally been stolen while checked bags await loading on your plane. Such thieves focus entirely on valuables. (See "Locking your bags" below.)
Understand what liquids you're allowed to carry on-board, e.g., see the TSA 3-1-1 Rule , with metric equivalents widely adopted elsewhere. This includes foods made with syrups/gels/pastes, e.g., peanut butter, jams, jellies. If you consider packing such, keep them within the 3-1-1 Rule.
You may want or need to include some comfort items (discussed below).
For vacations, you'll likely want a camera, perhaps a laptop. Their support accessories can go in checked bags since not valuable per se.
Fortunately, cameras, "purses" and outer garments often fall under separate allowances that may give you some relief and packing options, e.g.,:
You'll probably be allowed to carry on a modest camera bag.
The purse allowance doesn't specify gender.
- Women can choose one that is rather generous...but not outrageous.
- Men may be allowed a modest shoulder bag or small backpack.
Some travel-item sellers offer coats and vests with many pockets, able to hold many small items. You may already have one.
All increase what you can carry-on, and (except for budget carriers) probably won't be protested or result in a fee unless you over-do it.
Pressurized containers, explosives, hazardous materials and weapons (or items that look like weapons) are prohibited entirely. For the USA, see the TSA's guide to Transporting Special Items . Note also "Carry-on Contents" below.
So carefully maximize what you can wisely put in checked luggage within weight and size limits set by the airline, minimize your valuables as much as possible, and be cautiously creative about satisfying the rules for carry-on. (More discussion follows.)
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Fundamentals of flying
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Fundamentals of flying - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Fundamentals of flying hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Fundamentals of flying Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.