As tempting as it is to pack a lot of clothes on a long trip, it is in your interest to pack light and if at all possible, travel with only a carry-on bag. That’s always good advice, but particularly applicable this summer.
My Challenge To You: Don’t Check Bags This Summer When You Fly
First, a warning about this summer. The situation is bad, particularly in Canada and Europe:
So you think travel can’t get worse? Behold Montreal/YUL airport BAG DROP. Not the baggage hall. People are being told to tag their bag and leave it here and “hope for the best”. They are not sure when they can accept bags again. #TravelPatiently pic.twitter.com/jDhoYrZxzL
— Paul Andersen (@pandersen) July 5, 2022
Luggage chaos at London’s Heathrow airport….. pic.twitter.com/tj66gWR33F
— Citizen 1 (@citizen1448) July 6, 2022
If you’re flying anywhere in Europe this Summer try your best to not check any luggage. I’ve been told Munich has 5000+ luggage and London seems to be the same. 👍 pic.twitter.com/F72McdlVB0
— Andrea Mengucci (@Mengu09) July 2, 2022
The old joke that there’s only two types of bags, a carry-on bag and lost bag, is not really a joke these days…as thousands can attest to.
Understand that airlines on both sides of the Atlantic are facing critical labor shortages and we’ve seen recent meltdowns in Montreal, London, and Amsterdam in which thousands were separated from their bags.
Don’t think it cannot happen in the USA too: at Award Expert we’ve been dealing with lost baggage issues all month, particularly at Newark.
You Likely Don’t Need A Checked Bag
Seasoned travelers understand that human nature is to overpack. It’s amazing, over the years, how many trips I’ve taken only to return home with a suitcase full of clothes I did not wear.
Sure, bring a change of underwear for each day (or several days if you have access to laundry), but let’s be honest with one another. For most people, wearing the same shirt for a couple days is not a big deal. I’m certainly not advocating that we go about stinking in order to avoid checking a bag; but I don’t think that is the tradeoff.
Instead, roll up your clothes, pack light, layer yourself when you fly, and you’ll likely find you get along just fine with a carry-on bag and personal item.
It’s true that budget carriers sometimes charge more to bring a carry-on bag onboard than to check a bag, but it’s not about that, it is about minimizing the risk of you losing your bag during a very busy summer travel season.
CONCLUSION
I challenge you to leave your checked bag at home this summer and discover that you get along just fine with a carry-on bag. Sure, you might not have four pairs of shoes and two dinner dresses, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your belongings are right above you or under your feet.
You just might have changed my mind… After arriving from Colombia and having my luggage delayed for a day.
Labor shortage in Europe and Canada? I didn’t know Biden gave out stimulus checks there too!
Nah the people just go on strike/the baggage system hasn’t handled such high amounts of bags in 2.5 years so surely there’s problems
While it’s obvious that checking bags is to be avoided at this moment in time, your conclusion is far too simplistic.
To begin with, you only need a missed connection or another hiccup to end up on a flight operated by an airline that doesn’t allow you to take the personal item onboard and/or strictly enforces a ridiculous weight limit for hand luggage (I have flown on one which only allowed 5kg, and that was for a 4-hour flight on a full-sized jet) and find yourself in a world of trouble; or at least having to spend more money in order to end up with a checked bag! During a recent visit to Africa, I even had my hand luggage weighted prior to passing through security- by staff who worked for the airport and had nothing to do with the airline I was flying. Having put most of my stuff in the suitcase, I was able to go through with a rollaboard weighing 6.8kg (the limit was more generous here at 7kg).
Furthermore, it’s not a good idea to travel with fewer than 2 pairs of shoes other than the one you’re wearing- you don’t want to come back home with a fungal infection from walking around in the same trainers all week, and you probably also want to have a pair of shoes for grown-ups too in case you end up in a nice restaurant etc. As you’ll also take a few clothes and some underwear, you now have a carryon that’s bursting at the seams and risks attracting unwanted attention, even if it somehow complies with the weight limit for the airline you’re travelling with. If you also need to carry a laptop with you, it really is game over!
On re-reading the post, I have realised that I agree with the *conclusion* (which specifically focuses on the current situation)- it’s the ‘likely don’t need a checked bag’ bit that I find simplistic.
Fungal infection? Buy a travel size anti-fungal cream! I do that regardless.
This summer: absolutely avoid checking a bag. I can only hope it gets better in a couple weeks. The problem isn’t just that your bag won’t make it, it’s that nobody’s bag will, and the system can’t handle this level of failure. So don’t expect to see your bag for a long time.
In general, is it always better? I usually travel light, but use the bag drop: my personal item holds my laptop, paperwork, and some emergency clothing. When I go rollaboard, it increases the things I have to keep track of. I once left the rollaboard at security (recovered it before the flight); just a few weeks ago, I managed to pack up all my laptop accessories, take the bag and my carry-on, but leave the computer in the lounge (made for an interesting presentation).
On the other hand, packing underneath means I can send liquids down there, have some versatility, and not stink. On the way out, a miss is a bit of a pain, but the routine doesn’t add much time. Coming home, well I live a 95-minute train ride and a 15-minute walk from the airport, and it’s even more convenient to have my dirty laundry delivered to my door the next day.
Not this summer though. This summer is HBO. (And cross-country driving)
Carry on in Europe is very difficult. Their limits are ridiculous and with the continuing stupidity of limiting liquids and gels you need to check a bag if you are traveling for 2 weeks like I am with my family. We will take the chances. Flying business class all the way to final destination with a long layover in Amsterdam. All bags will have AirTags inside so at least we will know where they are.
I have been known to pack up and ship a box to my destination rather than check a bag, especially if it was important to be assured of having vital equipment when needed.
Saw stacks of unclaimed luggage in Stockholm yesterday. We are on a multi country trip that required swimsuits to winter jackets and boots. Fingers crossed the checked bags make it home.
Stockholm was out of control this week. Luggage stacked almost to ceiling in every corner of the Terminal 5 baggage claim area. Was a bit of a shock to see a Nordic airport – usually so efficiently run – in such disorder. I’m rarely complimentary of our airports in the US, but Europe is doing way, way worse right now.
Def buy AirTags. If your bags go missing it’s virtually impossible on some airlines eg vueling to know where they are.
We are travelling light and catching trains from now on. Flying within Europe so painful
For the routes I take, you’ve got it completely backwards. The only bag issue I’ve had since covid started was two trips ago, in June, when the plane had a malfunction on the way to AMS and we had to return to SLC and were put on Ethiopian the following day. I’ve taken 4 trips to Tanzania this year and 14 since covid restrictions started. The issue is actually security in places like AMS, which is caused by everyone carrying on everything they own and taking forever to get through the few employees still working the security areas. My last two trips from Africa through AMS took 90 and 60 minutes for internal AMS security. Please stop taking everything
you own on the plane with you! Please check it!
Unless your going for a work trip leave your bags at home and preferably don’t fly at all. No time for leisure travel right now you need to be working.
Good grief. People taking 3 pairs of shoes on a trip? You only need 1 pair or if you are a hard core exercise type a second pair to work out in. I bought casual comfortable black gortex shoes dressy enough to go anywhere in, waterproof, and comfortable to walk miles in.
And yeah wear the same shirt multiple days. And yeah you can do the same with underwear for a couple of days. We’ve gone to Europe on 2 week trips and haven’t had any issues with a backpack and a carry on bag. Worst case if something breaks, well I’ll tell you a secret, you can buy something wherever you are visiting. Unless you are out in the middle of the outback most everywhere has stores. Might cost more, sometimes less, but you’ll survive.
Geez.
The reference to getting a fungal infection from wearing the same shoes all the time was from personal experience- one that I don’t wish to repeat! There wasn’t even any exercise involved beyond the usual walking around as a tourist. It all boils down to risk management I suppose.
Must be nice not to live your life a sweaty mess, like some of us. Also as a woman, who, quite frankly, cannot wear the same underwear multiple days in a row — and depending on the level of activity often changes underwear multiple times a day.
Can we accept some level of personal preference? For example, I happen to be a heavy sweater. If I’m going to a warm weather country, it’s difficult for me to wear 1 shirt for an entire day much less multiple days. And the idea of a vacation is to enjoy yourself. So you’re the type of person that likes to have couple shoes on hand, why limit yourself?
My husband and I flew to PEI last summer for a week with just carryon, it worked out fine. Most hotels or other accommodations have laundry rooms. No need to be stinky or wear the same underwear as some people are commenting. Change your socks and spray with Lysol if you’re concerned about a fungal foot disease. Underwear is small take enough for the whole trip or wash them nightly in the sink. I for one don’t want to wait forever for my luggage just to find it’s not available, my carryon is always available. Taking 2 more trips this year, 1 for 10 days and 1 for 16 and both will just be carryon.
Although I agree with the premise of this, it isn’t always possible. For my work, I have to have tools, larger gels, and other things that can’t go in a carry-on. It simply isn’t an option for me.
These are great tips for men. Unfortunately women will have a problem with skincare, makeup and hair products that do not come in travel size.
My husband and I just came back from a five week three country European trip. We had four large bags, traveled in super economy class and our luggage followed us every single time with no holdups anywhere, even Munich. We flew Lufthansa all the time.
The only reason I can think for this good fortune is maybe because we were at the airport at least three hours ahead of time so our bags were one of the first to arrive at the plane.
Anyway, we were very happy how it worked out.
Glad it worked out for you!
Take light weight synthetic materials and wash them in the sink. The will dry by the morning.