Tips on packing
Luggage regulations
Check your airline for regulations on luggage—number of bags, size specifications and permissible weight for your particular class of ticket for the trip.
Clothes:
Make a checklist of clothes, medicines, toiletries/cosmetics and important items.
Pack in a blend of natural fabrics and synthetics. While natural fabrics are breathable they tend to wrinkle easily. Synthetic fabrics have a lower tendency to wrinkle and weigh less, but are not ideal for hot climates. Choose from semi formals, formals and casuals based on number of days, climate, activities and events. Run the list again to eliminate excess.
Must have colours are black and white. Add to these a couple of suits in grey, shirts and ties for men; and black jackets, skirts and pants with shirts and scarves for women.
Opt for khakis instead of denims since they weigh less. Throw in tees and cardigans for layering. Knits are ideal travel mates for their anti wrinkling property.
Pack swimming trunks and gym wear with a pair of good walking shoes. Take a generous set of undergarments, preferably in silk, as these are light weight and save space.
Medicines:
Consult your physician for medications you might need. Make your own first aid kit with essential medicines for fever, allergy and diarrhea, along with anti septic cream and cotton buds in a zip lock. Take the generic names of medicines which will be required if you need to buy them on the trip.
Toiletries:
Don’t forget sun block, lip balm and moisturizers. Shampoos can be packed in small plastic bottles. Pack toiletries in plastic bags to avoid leakage.
Other Important items:
Carry on your person, your passport, insurance, ticket, wallet, driver’s license, credit cards, travelers cheques (with receipts), visiting card,a small amount of local currency of the country you are going to in and contacts of hotel and people of your destination.
Make copies of a set of itinerary, emergency numbers and passport and email it to yourself so that you can access it online if required. .
Take extra passport photos. You might need it for a visa for places not on your plan.
Pack in a flashlight as also duct tape rolls in your luggage since it comes in handy for any temporarily repair.
Carry some candy or chewing gum ,to relieve pressure on your eardrums during landings and take off
Methods of packing
Pack suitcases compact without over-stuffing. You can pack more if clothes such as T-shirts, turtlenecks, pyjamas and sweaters are rolled before packing. Interweaving garments and bundling sets together also helps in compact packing. Use plastic zip locks to bundle as it makes it easier to identify. Pack footwear in shoe bags. Use dead spaces such as shoes to store socks and ties. Belts can be stored along the walls of the suitcase.
Add in extra laundry bags for dirty clothes.
When packing back packs, place lighter items and the frequent use items on top and dirty clothes at the bottom.
Cross pack clothes and essentials with family members or friends just in case your luggage gets lost in transit.
Use tissue paper and card board sheets for layering. Or pack each set in plastic laundry bags. Unpack immediately on arrival.
Check in luggage
All bags tend to look similar at the conveyor belt at the terminal. Use a bright ribbon tag or a smiley for easy identification.
Remove old baggage claim tickets.
Fill in luggage tags with contact details.
Try to book direct flights if possible.
Take a picture of your luggage. It helps in case the luggage is lost in transit. Opt for through check in so that your luggage is automatically transferred to the next flight.
Register a complaint immediately on arrival ,with the airline airport staff ,in the event of any damage to your check in luggage. |
