As I get ready to leave for Mexico next week, I have decided to try something new and albeit a little scary for me-NOT checking a bag and rather (Gasp!) packing everything into my carry-on! Oh, the humanity!
My decision came about after realizing that my time between flights (I am leaving from Laguardia and then transferring in Houston) is only about 45 minutes (not much time to assure the transfer of a checked bag onto the new flight), and also taking into account my past track records of successful traveling (meaning I don't have much success-ever). I realized that I not only wanted to be absolutely sure that my belongings arrived in Cozumel with me but also that I did not over-pack, or have additional stress over the odds of my checked baggage actually making it to Mexico with me.
Taking only a carry-on bag has presented more problems than I initially bargained for.
I have found myself frequently referring to the
TSA website as well as my airline's website in the week before my departure. The number of carry-on bags allowed differs from airline to airline, and I was disappointed to find that I was only allowed ONE carry-on in addition to one small personal item, like a purse. Lucky for me, some of my purses are about the size of my suitcase.
I packed my clothes into my ONE carry-on, reassuring myself that I absolutely did not need eight extra outfits or more than one sweatshirt and pair of pants (it's Mexico for goodness sakes! It's going to be 81 degrees!). Deep breaths, now, you can live without that cute pair of breezy linen pants, after all, they are soooo last season...you don't need a light-weight khaki jacket and a jean jacket, no one in Mexico will mind if you pair jean with jean (will they?). After several edits and mental battles, I was quite surprised to find that I was able to fit everything into my small rolling suitcase. I even was able to bring multiple pairs of flip-flops. Luckily, tank-tops and skirts are small I suppose.
Next, the problem of 3-1-1. No liquids over 3.4 ounces. All liquids under 3.4 ounces must fit in ONE quart sized, clear zip-locked container, only ONE quart sized, clear zip-locked container per passenger. I was doing fine up until this point. First, I established my necessities-shampoo, conditioner, face wash, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, tanning oil (ok not really necessary but I have a goal for this trip of coming back with some sort of color), foundation, toothpaste, lip balm. I ruled out hand sanitizer, figuring I could buy this in the airport. I bended some rules about what qualifies as a liquid and stowed these in my suitcase (is mascara a liquid? what about lipstick and concealer? They're not solids per se but not exactly liquids either...mental note-will have to flirt with/distract security guy to ensure safe passage of said contraband items...).
Hopefully, this new packing method will relieve some of my airport stress without landing me in the limbo in the screening line.
Comments (7)
i see people do this all the time and i think it's annoying. they take longer to board and then they have to wait in line for their carryon suitcase to be removed from the plane. it's much more convenient to just take a regular sized luggage and have it delivered to you than have to wait in the cold. i can see why you want to save money on baggage fees... but you can just choose an airline that lets the first piece go free (southwest) or get a frequent flyer program that lets the first piece go free and you are set.
oh yeah, once my mom bought a $40 lipstick right before she was going to board a plane and they confiscated it from her. so now we don't carry lipstick on to planes anymore, haha.
i always use a carry on.
i had bad experiences with checking things in.
ahhh cozumel! amazing.
Good job on packing light! It can be tough to do.
I was able to keep my mascara! I also brought a bottle of tequila back with me from Mexico in my carry-on! Is the TSA getting more lenient? Or was I sneaky/cute/innocent?
all i have to say is good luck
I have just come back from a two weeks holiday in Mexico and we was given a reminded about this on the way back to the airport for our flights back to the UK.