Baggage & Packing Tips
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Check ahead of time with your airline or travel agent to determine the airline's baggage policy, including number of pieces you can bring and size and weight limitations.
Don't forget to place identification tags with your name, address and phone number on all of your baggage, including your laptop computer. It is a good idea to place an identification tag inside your baggage as well.
Always carry your passport, travel documents, medication, jewelry, travelers’ checks, keys and other valuables in your hand luggage. These items should NEVER be packed in luggage you plan to check.
Keep all checked bags unlocked; if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the locks to get inside. Skip the locks to avoid any damage to your luggage and instead use plastic cable ties.
Do not over-pack your bag. Screeners will have a difficult time closing your luggage if selected for inspection, which will only lead to wrinkles and the potential for lost articles.
Carry all film with you onboard, as some new screening equipment can damage undeveloped film.
Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.
To save space and weight prepare a kit of miniature toiletries in small plastic bottles. When flying don’t fill bottles to the top, because the pressure may cause contents to expand. Pack bottles in plastic bags within your TravelKit in case of leakage.
Place any packed belongings you don't feel comfortable with strangers handling in clear plastic bags.
Do not stack books and other documents on top of each other within your baggage; spread out such items.
Make a list of things you intend to take with you. Your list will prove invaluable in the unfortunate event of lost of stolen luggage, while you are away.
When packing your clothes, you don't want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will crease when compressed.
Pack shoes, boots, sneakers, and other footwear on top of other contents in your luggage.
Rolling Your Clothes. Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up.
Take two or more garments, for example trousers, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you've folded it so it's less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.
For delicate items, try tissue paper. Lay the item face down and place tissue paper on top. Fold it up with the tissue paper inside. Use additional layers of paper as you fold the garment so it is completely wrapped in and around paper. This is easy enough the first time you pack, but becomes a pain if you have to keep repacking. I only use this approach for evening clothes that I don't want to crush.
Wait to wrap your gifts. Be aware that wrapped gifts may need to be opened for inspection. This applies to both carry-on and checked baggage.
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