You bring so much. How to pack better for your next trip.
- Last year, domestic airlines collected $7.1 billion in baggage fees.
- There are several reasons for this overcrowding epidemic, from insecurity to inexperience.
- Here are a few tips to help you pack better for your next trip.
If you think you’re packing too much on your next trip, I’ve got news for you: You probably are.
How much? Well, last year, domestic airlines collected $7.1 billion in baggage fees, which is an increase of about 5% from last year. This summer, we’ve had several high-profile baggage collisions, including a Texas mom who was kicked off a United Airlines flight because she was carrying too much luggage.
But to understand exactly how much has passed, you have to watch your fellow tourists.
- In Interlaken, Switzerland, I saw hordes of Korean tourists hauling huge loads of sand down the cobblestone streets.
- When I was in Rio de Janeiro, I saw people from Argentina and Chile carrying shopping bags. Everything that has to get on the plane when they go home, and it does.
- When I was in Bangkok, I saw Chinese tourists driving billboards in shops. Think about the exorbitant baggage fees!
Look Elliott Secretnewspaper the travel industry doesn’t want you to read. Each issue is packed with the latest news, in-depth information, and unique strategies to become a better host. But don’t tell anyone!
“People are packing more,” says Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of Crossing Travel, an international luxury travel agency. He’s seen his fellow travelers on the move lately and is trying to talk his customers into adopting a less-packing philosophy. But it is not easy.
What are the causes of overcrowding? And how can you make sure you’re not hit with an extra baggage fee?
Bad service:Looking for better customer service when you travel? You must be joking
Insects at rest:How to spot them and how to avoid them
Why overpack?
There are several reasons for this overcrowding epidemic, from insecurity to inexperience. But we need to end it soon. A few months ago, major domestic airlines raised their baggage fees. On domestic flights, a checked bag can cost $35, and more if you wait until the last minute or your bag is overweight.
So, what is the cause of overcrowding?
▶ We fear what might happen: At the heart of the overfill is the question “What if?” says Jeremy Murchland. You should know. As the president of Seven Corners travel insurance company, he deals with what he can every day. He says visitors ask themselves, What if there’s a heat wave and I don’t have the right clothes? What if Airbnb doesn’t have shampoo? What if I get bored?” And that prompts them to bring more – even if they don’t need it.
▶ We are stressed: “Overpacking is often a response to the stress of leaving home,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips, a travel agency. “Travel can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. The thought ‘I might need this’ leads to more suitcases.” But he says that visitors should remember that they will be able to buy some things that they have forgotten or that are not available wherever they go.
▶ We have no experience: Let’s face it, most people only travel a few times a year, and don’t know how to properly pack a bag – or even what to put in it. Limor Decter, a travel consultant for Embark Collective, said he used to put everything but the kitchen sink in his checked luggage. “The consequences were a major schlep and a long wait in the dreaded freight car,” he says. “If I had checked my luggage, I know my bags would have been delayed or lost,” he says. .
At least those are the reasons we give. But like I said, we need the packaging treatment as soon as possible because this problem is one that can cost us a lot of money. I mean $7.1 billion – that’s a lot of baggage.
How to pack better for your next trip
Don’t want to invest $35 in a billion dollar checked bag business? Here are a few points.
- Be a weak person: You know the old saying, less is more? Of course it’s true when you prove it. You can take a few simple steps to pack less. Pack clothes that are versatile and can be mixed and matched. And leave 20 percent of your bag free when you check-in, so you have room for anything you buy at your destination, advises Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance. Also, leave any items you can easily buy at your place, such as an umbrella. And consider doing laundry at your destination instead of packing clothes for each day of your trip. “You can do your laundry at your hotel,” says Cronin.
- Adjust your travel expectations: If you are traveling somewhere to be seen, maybe you should think again, says Swapna Patel, professional stylist. He says he knows customers who pack dryer sheets in their checked bags. He says: “You need to have reasonable goals about how long you want to spend on vacation. “Are you making memories – or are you making your sound dry?” Once you start thinking about that, you realize how little you need, and you can pack a manageable amount of clothes and makeup.
- Make a list: Rachel Wagner, a frequent travel and lifestyle expert, is a very dedicated person. Use a checklist to ensure you pack only the essentials. He says: “It helps to prevent packing too many things and it helps me to check the important things that I don’t want to leave behind.” After a while, you know what to leave and what to go, so the list becomes part of your schedule.
Going somewhere?Here’s how not to become a victim.
The angry travelers cried outanother during the summer of not so pleasant travel
If you can carry a lot, there is hope for you
I hear confessions from people who take a long time with them every day. They are people like Sally Greenberg, who runs a nonprofit in Washington.
He admitted to me: “I have a problem with overpacking. “I’m nervous.” For him, it’s often a matter of “what if” c he doesn’t want to miss anything which he may need.
But it’s okay because I spent many years as a neurologist, and I found a way out. After reviewing almost every backpack available on the market, I found the perfect combination: The Victorinox Airox carry-on and Knack Travel Backpack 45L. I travel with four clothes and use clothes wherever I go.
Getting to that point was really hard. Like Greenberg, I was afraid I would miss something. Then I realized that they have drug stores and shopping centers where I am going and that I should rest my luggage. I know my airline is not happy about this, but my bank account is happy about all the money I saved by not checking a bag.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a non-profit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel magazine, and The Elliott Report, a customer service news site. If you need help with a customer issue, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
#bring #pack #trip