We are leaving next Wednesday for 6 days in New Orleans! I am so excited, and this will be my kids first airplane rides. However, when checking the baggage policy for Delta, it costs $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second, and $125 for the third! My kids all have their own carry-on's that I can put their clothes in for the 6 days. I am trying to get suggestions on a good way to do that and save room. I remember packing when I was younger and either rolling the clothes tight, or putting outfits in ziploc bags. I think both ways saved room. Any ideas? My husband and I plan to share on bag to check, as that will cost $60 to get down there and back (INSANE!!). Thanks!!
Those Space Bags can help you squeeze in LOTS more stuff. And if you can do laundry while there you will need much less clothes.
Have fun!
S.
It's a similar thought, but I have a set of nylon packing cubes. They are like flat zippered puches that usually come in three sizes. I got mine at the Container Store, but have since seen similar at LL Bean and Target. I like them better than bags because they are safer around kids, they hold more, don't rip, and are reusable. They do an amazing job at compressing clothes and organizing, especially in a carry-on where you might also want access to toys and snacks.
I once knew someone who would only take the absolutely needed items in 1 carry on through the airport (medications and such). All other luggage was shipped to destination through UPS or Fed Ex, and then returned home the same way. I thought it was a pretty good idea. The other way to lighten the load is to take less and plan on doing laundry once while you're on vacation.
Try the space saver bags, they work really well. Also, i think it will be cheaper than UPS or Fed Ex - those are great ideas I just can't afford that!
I agree with Bonnie. Whenever we travel, we fedex or ups the bags. They are getting used to it. If you do that, just let the hotel know that your bags will be arrrivng that way. Usually when we check in, our bags are already in our room, and we have the added bonus of not having to go to the baggage claim!
Hmmm... I must be missing something but aren't the charges only for checked luggage? My family of two adults and two children (6 and 4) just returned from 9 days in Orlando and we didn't check one single bag or pay any money. My husband packed one carry-on bag with his and my son's clothes, I packed one carry-on bag with my daughter and my clothes; one beach bag carried our shoes and any other "bulkier" items; my diaper bag carried treats, important papers, books, ipod, netbook, etc.; and each child had their own child-size roll-on filled with the toys or lovies they wanted to occupy them. Oh, and we had a stroller and our backless booster seat that we gate-checked at no charge. Remember, each person (i.e. paid-for seat) is allowed a carry-on item and a personal item on the plane. For us, that was a total of 8 items carried on. I didn't feel guilty because our family used the entire airplane row in seating so we had our own overhead bin (which we didn't use up anyway, since my kids wanted to keep their stuff at their feet). Even if you buy all your liquids once you get to New Orleans (e.g., suntan lotion, etc.), it will still probably be less than $15. New Orleans at this time is HOT! so make sure to pack lightweight, wrinkle-free clothes. Rolling them might save a little room, though we don't typically even bother with that. Fed-Ex is kind of expensive; we had looked into that when we were staying in Orlando for a month last summer - it cost more than checking two bags would have been. Rule of thumb for travelers -- pack everything you want, than remove HALF of it. Before I got to be a light packer, I always used to take note after a trip of what I didn't use and it was usually at least two outfits. Have fun in NOLA and drink a hurricane for me!
R.:
The Space Saver bags really do work. You don't have to have a vacuum cleaner to make them work either - you can "roll" them up.
If you are going to visit family - send items ahead in the mail. When we go to California as a family - I mail my kids clothes to my parents house and have them carry-on their toys, books, etc. Yep - my kids have WAYYYYY to many clothes! In their carry on, I put one extra change of clothes.
Hope this helps! Have a great vacation!
One thing to save space would be to not pack shampoos, soaps, etc. Only take enough diapers/wipes (if your children are of that age) for the travel time because you can surely find a Walmart once you are there.
Pack 4 outfits and plan to do laundry on the 3rd day. Instead of taking multiple pairs of shoes, wear one versitile pair (if possible).
R., it should only be $15 for each of your first bags, so unless your children are under 2, you have four bags at $15 each (if you need that much room). Good luck- I have many fond memories of New Orleans. Definitely already hot and humid, so light clothing is paramount!
Hi R.,
Roll the clothes, it is unbelievable the amount of space you will save. Also, you can probably get away with fewer outfits than you think.
Have a great time in New Orleans, it is one of our favorite cities!
I heard FedExing or UPS the bags down there is good but I've never tried it. I rolled up the clothes and that seemed to save a lot of space. Just be careful that the bag you and your husband share doesn't exceed a certain weight. We did that in January when we went to TX trying to save on checking another bag and because our one suitcase was over 50 lbs they tried to charge us an extra $75 in addition to the $15 for the 1st checked bag. Call the airline and find out what their max weight is before they charge more. so we stuffed as much as we could in our carry ons at the checkin line and just made it to the 50lbs for our suitcase. Good luck and have fun.
