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Archive for the ‘Luggage’ Category

I am always going on business trips for work. The one thing I cannot travel without is my trusty laptop. As much as I love my MacBook, it is always an annoyance having to put the laptop through security, carry it with me around the airport, and finally, get it, along with myself, onto the plane. Normally it is not a question for me; I always bring my laptop as a carry-on. However, on my most recent business trip I decided that because I was not planning to do any computer work on the plane, there was no reason to carry it with me. I regrettably checked it in with the rest of my luggage. This was the worst mistake I could have made. For a seasoned business traveler, this may seem like a blunder only a novice would make. However, sometimes we all need a little reminding. I hope by relaying my story, I can save you from making the same mistake I did.

A laptop is an extremely valuable portable device. Whether you are in the office or on the go, it can quickly provide you with access to important data, information, and software. However, it is for these same reasons that laptops are of great interest to thieves, and, consequently, highly vulnerable to theft. In fact, the Safeware Insurance Group reported that in the US, laptop owners have a 1 in 14 chance that their laptop will be stolen. Of course, I am aware that laptops are a prime target for theft, but I thought it would be perfectly safe in my suitcase. I could not have been more wrong. Just because it was packed amongst my business suits and collared shirts did not mean it was protected. The fact is that you really must be aware of where your laptop is at all times, and, if it is checked in with the rest of your luggage, you are violating this simple rule. You have absolutely no idea who may be handling it or where it may end up. By naively deciding to check my laptop along with the rest of my luggage, I was in a sense setting myself up for it to be taken. What is more, the scariest part about having your laptop stolen is the fact that your confidential data inside is now accessible to a thief. Who knows the intentions of a thief? Needless to say, once I discovered my laptop had been taken, I was scared.

I know it may seem like a big hassle having to unload your laptop just to make it through security, but I promise you this: unloading your laptop at the security gate in an airline is only a minor inconvenience in comparison to the trouble that comes with a stolen laptop.

Filing a police report, working without your important files, and worrying someone may be committing identity theft with your personal information are inconveniences to avoid at all costs.

What is the easy solution? Get a computer case. I recently purchased an excellent computer case that not only securely holds my laptop, but also has room to store the other essential carry-on items I need during the flight. I love it because in addition to being very compact and portable, it is also quite fashionable. Having a computer case lets me check-in my one piece of luggage worry-free because I know my laptop is safe and secure by my side.

Still, even when you make the safe choice and carry your laptop onto the plane, there are a few things to be aware of while traveling. Make sure and keep a close eye on your laptop while it is on the conveyer belt at the security gate – and don’t forget to pick it up again after it has passed through security. Finally, keep your laptop near you on the plane – at your feet or in a locked case stowed away in the overhead compartments – and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Determining just how much your luggage weighs after you have packed it can be a real challenge. Suitcases tend to be a bit unwieldy by design, and in general, are not truly meant to be lifted and carried particularly high. Most scales have a fairly small footprint upon which you can stand in order to see how much you weigh. Attempting to place both yourself and your luggage on a typical bathroom scale in order to see what your combined weight is, so that you can calculate the weight of your suitcase can become an exercise in contortionism. There is a much easier way to weigh your suitcase, and that is by using a digital luggage scale.

A digital luggage scale is a small, convenient gadget that allows you to weigh your luggage without requiring that you get on a scale with it and then perform math! Available for a fraction of the cost of a tank of gas, a good luggage scale gives you an easy, contortionism free way of making sure that you will not be paying any excess weight charges on your bags when you check them in at the airport. Or, if you will be paying an overage fee, you can at least determine how far over you actually are!

Digital luggage scales are becoming increasingly popular with frequent fliers all over the globe. Small and handheld, a digital luggage scale can easily be packed into your suitcase or carryon, for use when you are getting ready to pack up your bags for your return trip. If you are like most vacationers, it is fairly typical that you will have more to bring home than what you left with. This always increases the risk of your bags being overweight. With a portable luggage scale you can avoid this risk or at least know ahead of time that you have crossed the threshold.

No matter how often you travel, owning a digital luggage scale can help save you money. An inexpensive gadget, this must-have travel accessory can more than pay for itself in just a few trips. Keeping a scale in your luggage helps you know when you will need to save a bit of your travel budget for excess fees and when you can afford to spend a little extra on duty free items. It can also help you make sure that the airline luggage scales are accurate and that you are not being overcharged for your bags.

Carry-on luggage is now under considerably more difficult restrictions due to unfortunate events. The Transportation Safety Administration has set up some new luggage rules, with many airlines subsequently adding a few of their own for extra security. Among these are the new liquid and gel inspections. Here are some of the most important carry-on luggage restrictions and requirements you should prepare to follow when traveling. However, do not limit yourself to these instructions; the best information is from the TSA itself.

The liquid and gel inspections is set up in what’s called the “3-1-1″ rule: the liquid must be in a bottle with a maximum volume of 3.4 ounces in a 1 quart-sized, transparent bag with 1 bag per traveler. This is for most liquids and gels, including hand sanitizer. In order to prevent delays, you should simply leave this in your checked luggage. Not all liquids and gels are prohibited, however. All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, baby formula or breast milk (if a baby is present), and anything that is important in saving a person’s life (organs, bone marrow, blood, ice to cool) or plastic surgery (implants, saline solutions, etc.) are all allowed. You should declare any of these above items to prevent delays.

As for the carry-on luggage itself, the rules follow in something called total inches. The standard rule is 45 total inches, meaning that your bag’s dimensions simply add up to 45. Technically, you could have a 1-inch by 1-inch by 43-inches carry-on, but most airlines are expecting 22-inches by 14-inches by 9-inches. Take care when measuring your bag, however. These rules are designed for the measurements inside the bag, not the outside. They don’t even consider the possibility that you could be carrying things on the outside pockets of the bag. Not only that, but once you get past the check at the airport, you have to make sure your bag somehow fits under your seat. Otherwise, it’s move it or lose it.

However, if you happen to encroach on any of the size limitations, you might still be able to be let through without any problems. Domestic airlines haven’t been properly demonstrating the full examination of carry-on luggage; many people have admitted that their bags were outside of the allowed sizes, but were still let through by the officials.

The last check that some, not all, airlines will do is check for the weight of the carry-on bag. The range of allowed weights starts at a low of 16 pounds set by Virgin America and ends at a high of 50 pounds for Midwest. American, Continental, US Air, and Delta are at 40 pounds. Other airlines like United and Southwest do not currently have a limitation on the weight of the carry-on.