Here is my Top 10 "Get Over..." list from a very frequent traveler:

1. Get Over Extra Clothes: Don't over pack. Always take one less set of clothes than what you set out to pack. You'll find out in long-run that you didn't need it anyway. If you feel you must over pack, over pack necessities like underwear or nice-to-have things like a bathing suit (you'll be surprised where pools and hot tubs pop-up). If you take two less t-shirts, I can guarantee if you need one, you can find one for $10 in a novelty shop. This is much less than baggage fees too.

2. Get Over The Cost of Drinks In The Airport: Always take a refillable water bottle, such as a metal or plastic Nalgene / Brita style. You can carry water right up to security, dump the water before security and the refill it before the plane ride. Don't reuse a disposable water bottle from Dasani / Aquafina / Smartwater or similar. They are meant to be recycled after one use. I don't know if you have all heard or not, but that water stuff is all natural (usually) and pretty good for you. And, sodas, waters and juices are free on almost all airlines.

3. Get Over Shoe Fashion: Plan your outfits to take less pair of shoes. If you are going for a weekend, don't plan to wear something that needs brown and then something else that needs black shoes. When you do the math, that's two pairs of shoes, two belts, two socks, different accessories, etc. Flip flops are an exception...they take hardly any room in your bags and are pretty awesome in general.

4. Get Over Social Plane Issues: Don't count on extra space and quiet time on the plane. People recline, baby's cry, people talk loud around you, turbulence happens, and more. Plan to read a magazine, listen to your iPod, read from your Kindle / Nook or just sleep. If someone invades your space, hold your circle, but it's not worth arguing or possibly starting a fight on a plane.

5. Get Over Baggage Fees: It's a fact of life now for traveling and you can't control it. Choose your airline and airfare based on your budget. Stop acting like your surprised by the fees. These fees are clear as can be on all tickets, websites, etc. If you over pack every time, see # 1 about packing and # 3 about shoes. You do have options...you could take the bus, you could drive, you could ship your extras, you could pay for an upgrade and not have to pay baggage, you can take a different airline that doesn't charge for bags.

6. Get Over Taking EVERYTHING On The Plane: See #2 and #4. Just bring reading material, music, medications (if needed), snacks (only for the duration of the flight) and your ID. If you feel you need to do so, pack an extra change of clothes in a backpack that still fits under the seat. The time you feel you need to bring a larger carry-on is the time there isn't room and you'll have to gate check it.

7. Get Over Spending Extra Time At The Airport: We are much safer than we have ever been and you’re traveling...its normal. Things like security checkpoints, the sheer size of airports, oversold flights and more make extra time vital and delays inevitable. Have fun with it, and enjoy your travel time. Other people are there with you and experiencing the same issues. An idea my wife and I are starting now is to have ourselves an airport pub crawl. Have we visited every bar in every terminal at our home airport?

8. Get Over Fragile Items That Don't Fit Overhead / Or You Treat Like Children: If there is something you have to carry on because of value, go with the minimum. Taking every possible camera lenses, cover, charger, memory stick in a bag that doesn't meet carry-on requirements is not cool. If it's too valuable, you might not need to take it. Or, get a hard case that's made for checking, insure the item and pay for checking it.

9. Get Over Needing To Put Small Things In The Overhead: It's very frustrating to on-boarding passengers with carry on bags that have to go around a laid-out suit coat in the overhead. When you bring a backpack (#6) or wear a suit coat, hold on to the things until all people have boarded. Then get up and slide your jacket or backpack into an open slot. You'll get good karma points at the very minimum for being considerate.

10. Get Over Your Fear Of Losing Bags: If it happens, it happens. Make your life much easier and check your bags if you’re going for longer than a three-day weekend. There are times that bags get on different flights, bags get lost, or someone accidentally takes the wrong bag. Talk to an agent and move on. Losing your bags isn't the end of your life. If it is, you need to get a new life.

Posted By Tim Alexander on June 23, 2011, 10:19 AM

I applaud T.A.'s suggestions. They are realistic. I haven't checked a bag since 1988 (when I came home from grad school with household articles and many books). I have traveled up to one month at a time with just one carry-on. It is a Rick Steve's backpack suitcase, roomy but light. As a woman traveling mostly alone, I feel safer if I can tote my bag quickly over long distances. The backback-style bag means I never carry too much weight.
Tricks of the trade:
1. All your clothing needs to be hand-washable and preferably needs to be able to dry overnight. A super-absorbent small camp towel or chamois makes this easy. (I'll exempt the coat when traveling in winter but you'll be wearing it, not packing it.) Companies which specialize in travel gear sell men's and women's quick-drying underwear.
2. You only need a few days' clothing as everything washes and dries quickly. Three days clothing, whether for a trip of a week or a month, usually is enough for me.
3. Every item of clothing should match all others. If one doesn't, it doesn't belong in the trip wardrobe. Buy the matching piece before you go if necessary. Keep a list of your "trip wardrobe" for next time.
4. A limited wardrobe is no problem because most people will see you only once--and probably forget you.
5. Small bottles of toiletries (the TSA 3 ounces) are all you need until you find the local market or pharmacy. Use what the locals use. It's made for the local water and weather.
6. Choose lightweight, compact souvenirs. My favorites are decorated dish towels or fabrics from the local shops.
7. Stuff a small backpack inside your suitcase for day trips. It keeps your hands free for taking photos. It also provides extra space in case you need it for souveniers on the way home.
8. Leave the electric gadgets at home. The people you meet will not know that you usually use a styling wand and your hair usually looks just so. Take a small notebook as your journal instead of a computer. If you need to carry data, take paper and/or a USB drive. You can e-mail info to yourself and pick it up at any internet cafe. If it's a business trip and you absolutely need a computer, get your company to loan you a laptop with the lightest weight balanced by the longest battery life.

Happy travels.

Posted By Maureen Tilley on June 27, 2011, 11:11 AM

I agree with most of the above: I pack lighter every year, but doing nightly hand laundry doesn't fit my idea of a vacation.

I do take a very small (6.75 x 9.75 x 1.75 inches), very lightweight computer, and stay mainly in hotels that offer free wireless internet. In case you hadn't noticed, internet cafes are going the way of pay phones. So I also take a cell phone everywhere. Phones for calling in Europe can be rented or purchased.

Posted By thirza on June 27, 2011, 3:03 PM

I pass the time waiting for my flight home by doing some Christmas shopping at the airport stores. There are a lot of small items there that are perfect for stocking stuffers. If it's not close to Christmas I just put them away until needed. It's an easy way to get a jump start on holiday gifting.

Posted By Mary on June 27, 2011, 7:16 PM

Tim A., good list except #7. This almost encourages people to get drunk before their flight, lol! If you drink, be prepared to NOT be allowed to board your flight or drink a soda instead.

Posted By Amy G on June 27, 2011, 10:32 PM

i agree with everyone who talks about packing light. I packed for 1 week in DC in my gym bag, I was determined not to pay Spirit Airlines fee. I carried my camerabag as a purse and a jacket. It's true your on vacation no one is going to be evaluating your wardrobe. I understand that a business trip has additional needs, but vacations should not be about carrying everything you own, you can always buy something if you need it.
I may add a small notebook computer, or ipad since I like to read and I use guide books which take-up space. I bought a small flexable leg tripod for my camera which helps alot to improve the quality of photos, but it is only about 4" long and weighs nothing.

Posted By Lori on July 21, 2011, 7:56 PM

Wow, das ist so interessant! Ich kann nicht für den nächsten Artikel warten. Achten Sie darauf!

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