Packing For Air Travel
Safe And Convenient Packing For Air travel
The biggest decision you have to make when packing for air travel is whether you are going to check your bags through baggage check or carry all your luggage on with you. This is an important decision because it will drive your packing decisions and will determine how you pack for air travel.
Checking Your Bags
You have much greater flexibility in what you carry in your checked bags than in the bags that you carry on the airplane. The reason is that you cannot access your checked bags during flight, so you can pack things in them that would otherwise be considered too dangerous to allow in the cabin during flight. Some of the items that are permitted in checked baggage but not in carry-on bags are listed here:
Toiletries and cosmetics: Virtually all liquid, aerosol and gel toiletries and cosmetics are permitted in checked baggage in any size. Containers need not be see-through, and they need not be packaged in plastic bags – but it is a good idea so they will not contaminate the rest of your belongings should they leak or burst during flight.
Sharp items: Airlines are understandably concerned about passengers having access to sharp objects in flight after the attacks of September 11. Nevertheless, travelers packing for air travel may check bags that contain box cutters, axes, ice picks, knives, meat cleavers and other assorted sharp objects. Take care when packing these items so you do not injure yourself. Sheathe them in a heavy-duty sheath to avoid damaging the clothing, footwear and other items that are in the same suitcase.
Sporting goods: Bows, arrows, bats, spear guns and ski poles are all considered too dangerous to be allowed in carry-on bags. However, you may carry all these items and more in your checked baggage. When packing for air travel with sporting goods, you may wish to obtain bags that are specifically designed to carry these sporting goods without damaging them.
Firearms: travelers may be surprised to learn that they can fly with guns – as long as the guns are carried in checked baggage. Gunpowder and flares cannot be packed for air travel in any event. You will need to purchase these items at your destination or travel by car if you must travel with them.
Carrying Your Bags On
Packing carry-on bags for air travel is quite different from packing checked bags for air travel. All the items mentioned here, except small, clear bottles of certain liquids, are prohibited in carry-on baggage.
Watch the weight when packing carry-on bags. Don’t pack a heavier bag than you can safely lift overhead to stow in the overhead compartment. It is rude to expect your fellow passengers to hoist your bag for you. Above all, visit the TSA web site before you fly to make sure travel rules have not changed abruptly since your last flight.
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