Travel Packing

Wrestling down the facts

Whether you're traveling on vacation or for business, packing is never a simple exercise. Half the battle is knowing what you can and can't pack and how best to optimize your space.  The other half is deciding what to use for luggage. While we don't promise to have the answers to the universe, we can help relieve your packing angst.

• TSA Luggage Restrictions - Air travel changed drastically on Sept. 11, and air passengers now face more restrictions than ever. Checked and carry-on luggage must pass through more security than there is in a maximum-security prison. Homeland Security, FAA and TSA (Transportation Security Administration) rules dictating how big your bags can be and what you can take aboard would have baffled Einstein.
• Choosing Your Luggage - So many options, but where to start? We've waded through the marketing ploys and come up with something for everyone - from the busy executive on the go to the family looking to spend a week at Disney World to the eco-warrior looking to hug a few rain forest trees.
• Bags To Avoid - If it will roll, you should stroll. Our advice is to avoid the large, wheeled bags that, on first blush, appear to be the savior of suitcases. There's more than meets the eye when it comes to the wheeled wonders. Forget about the expandable bags, too. In this case, less is better.
• Carry-On Luggage - Not sure what bag to bring on the plane with you? Our simple suggestions go a long way to getting you there within strict size and weight guidelines, as well as in style.
• Checked Luggage - What you pack your stuff in is nearly as important as what you pack. Today's luggage is more high-tech and functional than pieces used from the dawn of the jet age. With all the wheels, telescopic handles and expandable compartments you find on modern bags, it can be hard to know what to look for. We'll help you sort your way though this jungle.
• How To Pack It - It's a dilemma every traveler has faced when preparing for a trip: how to fit 50 pounds of stuff into a bag designed to hold 20 pounds. We try to take some of the guesswork out of packing with a practical how-to guide that combines simplicity and ingenuity.