You and Your Carry On Bag – 
A very special relationship

Your carry on bag is very special to you. It holds all of your items you don’t want to check, items you want right by your side during the flight and most importantly you never want to hear, “I’m sorry we’ll have to check your bag… the overhead bins are full!”

 I love a big bag as my second carry on or as it’s officially called “personal item.” The picture above is one of my favorite “go to bags” for my personal item carry on bag. I can pack a lot inside and still have room for water (purchased after security), a can of nuts for the flight and something from the gift shop.

The carry on bag is a very special bag, let’s make sure we pack it efficiently.

Know the 3 – 1 – 1 for Carry On bags

3 – All liquids must be in a 3.4 ounce bottle or smaller

1 – One clear quart size plastic baggie so the officer can see all of your 3.4 bottles inside

1 – One baggie per passenger

What is and is not allowed is a good question to have answered before you arrive at airport security. The usual items like shampoo, bath gels, perfume are known to be a member of the 3.4 ounce grouping. But, for other items a check-in with the airport security experts is a good idea. Visit the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) website. There is a list on their web site: http://www.tsa.gov that will help answer the question and eliminated having to trash items at the airport.

A few other tips:

Medicines and vitamins – Keep in their original containers when traveling international. Some countries have very strict drug laws

Moms with babies – Baby formula, food and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities. Let the agent know what you have and have it available for inspection.

I have been stopped at some airports for: Lipstick and liquid make up

Also..Be prepared to place your laptop in a separate bin at security check points. Have keys and jewelry ready to place in a small bin at security

6Do not overstuff the outside pockets of your suitcase. They can become bulky and possibly cause your bag to not fit in the overhead bin.

You can purchase a clear quart size bag for your carry on liquids. Most bags available for purchase will also have 3.4 ounce bottles for your favorite shampoos, lotion and other toiletries.

When shopping for a carry on bag make sure you choose the right size bag and also shape. The size can vary from airline to airline, so double check with the airline you use most often. Generally the size is from 22” x 14” x 9” to 24” x 17” x 10”

You can purchase trial and travel size toiletries at some of the larger stores. The 3.4 ounce size is great for a short trip. A longer trip may require packing larger sizes or purchasing toiletries at your destination. Ask yourself: How much shampoo, toothpaste do I need for the number of days I will be away?