Women Travelers - A guy has a purse question

I was sitting on AA today in first one row behind the bulkhead and I had an observation that I thought this forum could help me understand. Note for full disclosure sake I should note that as a GWM so there are a lot of womanly mysteries on my plate.

So here goes the situation. Two women were sitting in bulkhead row, one looking as if she was in her 20s and put her purse in the overhead across the aisle from her so she could presumably keep an eye on it. No big deal. The second woman , as we say in the south “a woman of a certain age” tried to stuff her huge purse under her seat to the justifiably irritation of the person whos legs were there. FA came by and told the lady she has to store it upstairs for takeoff but could take it down after. You could tell the lady was visably shaken at this prospect which I have observed with other women of a certain age.

I always put my wallet in the overhead in a backpack or suitcase within eyesight and never thought twice about it.

So the question is, is this a generational thing, a FF vs non FF thing? I thought it was a great mini sociological experiment.

If you guys are great explaining this then the next major issue to tackle is stopping while getting off end of airport escalators and moving sidewalks.:)

. . .
If you guys are great explaining this then the next major issue to tackle is stopping while getting off end of airport escalators and moving sidewalks.:)

I can't explain the purse thing, I think that there are too many unknown variables (what was in the purse, had she in the past had troubles with losing her purse or having it stolen and was therefore more protective, non-FF, general paranoia, any number of things).

I guess I'm considered "of a certain age". I can tell you that the reason I have problems with moving sidewalks and excalators is because I have a depth perception problem caused in part by bifocals. My mother - obviously of an even more "certain age" - has problems because she is just a little bit tottery anyway and the ground moving underneath makes her even more so.

A lot of us are used to having our handbags near us when we are out. And I think a lot of us were taught to keep our bags close. We want to have immediate access to whatever we might need, and also to keep things safe.

An older person, especially an infrequent traveler, may feel insecure about an unanticipated need to deviate from long-established habits.

Of course, if you look at other threads, you will notice that an experienced traveler like oldpenny carefully guards her handbag, which is not where she keeps valuables. I think she does not want to lose the handy items that are in the bag, but I bet she is aware that guarding the bag is also a useful bit of misdirection!

When I was in elementary school, my dad took my sister and me on a cruise to Catalina Island. I left my pretty little purse by the sink in the washroom, and when I realized my mistake, it was gone. It was upsetting, and I still think about that (over 40 years later!) and do not set my bag down where I might forget it. I certainly learned my lesson. I do not like bulkhead seats, because I want my backpack right at my feet.

When people stop at the end of the escalator or moving sidewalk, they may have a problem with balance. Or they may be so overwhelmed that they are just trying to figure out what to do next - and are not thinking about the people behind them.

For the purse I can't tell you but the explanations given so far sound good. For the escalator and moving sidewalks I am a rather fit 37 year old man and even I stop sometimes just to make sure to make the step off at the exact right moment, which is even more important when you are carrying luggage.

Till

I am certain I am "of a certain age" I suffer from inner ear distubances that make it neccessary to stop and get my balance before any moving sidewalk or especially an escalator.
And I keep my purse--which contains my wallet and Iphone--with me, thanks. If I sleep on the plane--and plane rides are pretty boring--I want to know that my valuables are hard to get at --and the overhead, though near, can also be handy in the middle of the night. It has honestly not occured to me do do it otherwise.
Next mystery:)

carolinelb,

"Of course, if you look at other threads, you will notice that an experienced traveler like oldpenny carefully guards her handbag, which is not where she keeps valuables. I think she does not want to lose the handy items that are in the bag, but I bet she is aware that guarding the bag is also a useful bit of misdirection!"

I take what you wrote as a very nice compliment!

Often especially some older women carry things of value in their bags and medicines as well. That said I think it is foolish for a man to be separated from his wallet as it is foolish for a woman of any age to be separated from hers.

We must all be wise and age has nothing to do with it.

As for the escalator/moving sidewalk situation, partly it is the need to keep from falling and party it can be bi and trifocal glasses. Since this was first mentioned on FT I have tried to do a much better task of alighting.

I usually have my Passport and ATM card on me when I board ~ I can survive anything as long as I have those, everything else goes into the overhead. I usually bury my wallet deep into the purse or backpack.

I have had wads move my stuff to make room for their stuff and have to say I didn't like it. I've also had someone else's bag in my underseat space and held it out to an FA - I said it appeared to be abandoned and caused some excitement (it belonged to a guy in the window seat on the OTHER side :confused: - he was quite snarky about it, I guess I was supposed to be OK with it all)... I'd chose my words better if it happens again.

Escalator / moving sidewalk - it's balance & orientation thing for me. I do try to step out of traffic - but the Keep Right / Keep Left rules have bitten me a couple times... after a couple months in Australia I was walking on the left side of the sidewalk, going up escalators on the left, etc (my daughter wouldn't let me drive for a week because I went into the left lane on my street).

I was sitting on AA today in first one row behind the bulkhead and I had an observation that I thought this forum could help me understand. Note for full disclosure sake I should note that as a GWM so there are a lot of womanly mysteries on my plate.

So here goes the situation. Two women were sitting in bulkhead row, one looking as if she was in her 20s and put her purse in the overhead across the aisle from her so she could presumably keep an eye on it. No big deal. The second woman , as we say in the south “a woman of a certain age” tried to stuff her huge purse under her seat to the justifiably irritation of the person whos legs were there. FA came by and told the lady she has to store it upstairs for takeoff but could take it down after. You could tell the lady was visably shaken at this prospect which I have observed with other women of a certain age.

I always put my wallet in the overhead in a backpack or suitcase within eyesight and never thought twice about it.

So the question is, is this a generational thing, a FF vs non FF thing? I thought it was a great mini sociological experiment.

If you guys are great explaining this then the next major issue to tackle is stopping while getting off end of airport escalators and moving sidewalks.:)I am not sure if it is generational or not. To me, it sounds like a woman who doesn't fly very often. To be annoyed that the FA asked her to remove her purse from the seat under her is either ridiculous or naive to the fact that the person behind her gets that space for his/her feet.

It can indeed be unnerving to put your purse in the overhead compartment. I typically keep my purse right next to me and have rarely had a problem. But perhaps the woman's purse were too large. What she could have done is retrieve her purse from the overhead as soon the seat belt sign was removed and then keep the purse next to her. Then she should ask for a blanket (assuming AA offers them). When she lands, she should put the blanket over her with her purse underneath the blanket so the FA won't bother her. Just a thought.

I am always prepared for an emergency evacuation during takeoff and landing. I keep my "purse" on my body, crossbody style. I never, but never, put my purse in an overhead or under my own seat (where I can't see it). I sometimes put my purse under the seat in front of me, where I can keep an eye on it. I very seldom sit in a bulkhead row.

It sounds like the "distressed" older lady travels so seldom she didn't realize she would have to put her purse in the overhead. I wouldn't travel with a purse too large to keep right by my side at all times.

If you guys are great explaining this then the next major issue to tackle is stopping while getting off end of airport escalators and moving sidewalks.:)

Stopping getting ON a down escalator is a vision issue for many people. I have never managed to have any glasses or contact lenses correct my depth perception issues, until I purchased ironically a pair of the cheap eyeglasses from Zenni Optical. Suddenly my $8 frames (total $31) correct what glasses and contacts costing several hundred dollars could not do even after countless refits and retries and reexaminations, and I am able to go down stairs and escalators without having to take that step down with blind faith. (which has had bad results in the past)

That is not an age thing, it has always been that way for me.

And yes, I immediately placed an order for two more pairs of geeky chic glasses! :D

Stopping getting ON a down escalator is a vision issue for many people. I have never managed to have any glasses or contact lenses correct my depth perception issues, until I purchased ironically a pair of the cheap eyeglasses from Zenni Optical. Suddenly my $8 frames (total $31) correct what glasses and contacts costing several hundred dollars could not do even after countless refits and retries and reexaminations, and I am able to go down stairs and escalators without having to take that step down with blind faith. (which has had bad results in the past)

That is not an age thing, it has always been that way for me.

And yes, I immediately placed an order for two more pairs of geeky chic glasses! :D

Very smart. If you find something that works well get a back-up, especially for glasses. I learned the depth perception thing when I was wearing cheap sunglasses for skiing. Oooops! That bump was much bigger than it looked! After flying five meters in the air and landing more or less safely (20 years ago). :)

Just the better your cheap glasses do what the expensive ones couldn't do.

Till

yes, after a few accidents resulting in broken bones, torn tendons, dislocations I can finally step downwards with confidence! And look good doing so! :cool:

Never get between a woman and her purse - it likely has her lipstick in it :D

But seriously, it's more of a comfort thing for me. This is why I never book a bulkhead seat that has a divider - it's ok on an AC flight where I have the J class seats to place my bag under, but I really really don't like being far away from my purse for several reasons.

- it usually contains many valuables including my iPhone, wallet, passport, etc
- it also has convenience items like books, mints, a comb, moisturizer, gravol

I just like having it accessible at all times, and while I'm not overly paranoid about someone walking off with it on a flight, I feel better having it directly under my control.

Re: moving sidewalks escalators, I'm 34 and in reasonably good health, but I have a visual disability which makes moving items a bit disorienting for me. I slow down if I don't feel I can comfortably step on/off the escalator safely.

Oldpenny,

I take what you wrote as a very nice compliment!

Oops, I should have gotten back to this thread sooner - It is definitely meant to be - I think I have learned a lot from you! And I aspire to your level of organization and efficiency.:)

I keep valuable things such as my sunglasses, phone, and meds in my tiny travel purse, btw, and I really don't want to lose them, so I guard it carefully...

The second woman , as we say in the south “a woman of a certain age” tried to stuff her huge purse under her seat to the justifiably irritation of the person whos legs were there. FA came by and told the lady she has to store it upstairs for takeoff but could take it down after. You could tell the lady was visably shaken at this prospect which I have observed with other women of a certain age.
:)

Perhaps the OP could have helped out by suggesting to the lady with the purse that she could offer to swap places with the person behind whose leg-space she tried to invade. Person behind gets gift of extra leg-room, lady gets to keep purse in view, problem solved!

My two pence worth.

Oldpenny,


Oops, I should have gotten back to this thread sooner - It is definitely meant to be - I think I have learned a lot from you! And I aspire to your level of organization and efficiency.:)

I keep valuable things such as my sunglasses, phone, and meds in my tiny travel purse, btw, and I really don't want to lose them, so I guard it carefully...

I have a travel wardrobe that includes many pockets. Mr. Tilley started security pockets in travel clothing with his clothing/hat company in Canada. Many other companies now make similar items including the multi-pocketed Scottevest line. I keep essential medicines in my pockets.

Unless I'm going through the TSA security check, my IPhone is in a pocket as well.

I'm now doing a search for a new bunch of travel jacket/blazers that all of us in our office can have. Starting with custom made (Hong Kong tailers) to Magellan's and Tilley, I have a good idea we will be able to order jackets fairly soon at a cost of between $125 to $250 per jacket.

A good travel jacket/blazer is a huge start on being organized for travel and takes a lot of the stress off what you might carry in a purse.

oldpenny,

Will your jackets be ones that you wear at trade shows as well as on travel?

I have been wondering about the travel jackets - if you get hot, do you just drape the jacket across your lap? And do all the pockets have closures, so things won't fall out?

I think it would be great to be able to customize your clothing with just the features you require. I have been making clothes for myself most of my life, since I have a lot of trouble finding things long enough, but I haven't really added handy features.

However, I have been planning out a couple of bags that are completely custom for me - with a place for every single thing I need - one will be a dress bag, tiny, and organized, and yet will hold my small camera (for parties and weddings), and one will be an everyday backpack purse, with pockets for everything, including reusable shopping bags, that will be extremely lightweight.

I also want to design a tiny travel cross body bag, and a travel backpack which can transform into a shoulder bag appropriate for a nice restaurant when we get off the Metro.

I think it would be great to be able to customize your clothing with just the features you require. I have been making clothes for myself most of my life, since I have a lot of trouble finding things long enough, but I haven't really added handy features.

Carolinelb, try some of the patterns from Saf-T-Pockets (http://www.saf-t-pockets.com/) which have both ordinary and hidden pockets in each garment - jackets, slacks, skirts, vests, etc. They've got patterns for bags too. The patterns themselves are good but also give ideas for adding pockets to other patterns or even to ready-made clothes.

In Australia, I've bought them at craft shows, but I think I saw them at G Street fabrics in MD; other good fabric stores might stock them.

oldpenny,

Will your jackets be ones that you wear at trade shows as well as on travel?

I have been wondering about the travel jackets - if you get hot, do you just drape the jacket across your lap? And do all the pockets have closures, so things won't fall out?

I think it would be great to be able to customize your clothing with just the features you require. I have been making clothes for myself most of my life, since I have a lot of trouble finding things long enough, but I haven't really added handy features.

However, I have been planning out a couple of bags that are completely custom for me - with a place for every single thing I need - one will be a dress bag, tiny, and organized, and yet will hold my small camera (for parties and weddings), and one will be an everyday backpack purse, with pockets for everything, including reusable shopping bags, that will be extremely lightweight.

I also want to design a tiny travel cross body bag, and a travel backpack which can transform into a shoulder bag appropriate for a nice restaurant when we get off the Metro.

As the jackets are business attire, we wear them a great deal. I have both skirts and slacks (these have pockets as well) that go with my jackets. Yes some of the pockets are quite secure.

Doing your own sewing is wonderful. I used to sew a great deal but now mostly do repairs and modifications. I have the problem that most items are too long for me. If I get too warm in a meeting, I can take the jacket off and put it on the back of my chair. I can fold it in my lap when seated on an airplane.

I still do carry a purse although there isn't much of value in it. Comfort items snacks and things to pass the time when traveling.

The company policy is that we always have to travel in business attire "As if we will be met with a press conference." I always laugh at that because to this date, I have never been faced with a press conference! The point is that we have to look good.

Good luck in your search for ideal travel wear.

Radiogirl, Thanks for the suggestion. There are some pretty good things at Saf-T-Pockets - I think my favorites are the Portable Pockets, especially the one that attaches to a bra strap and hangs from the shoulder. I wouldn't wear a money pouch that hangs around the neck, because it would show under my top, but I think this pocket might not show.

Thank you, Oldpenny.

Fine tuning our travel clothing/ luggage/supplies/organization is an enjoyable pastime, and it makes such a big difference in how much we enjoy traveling. I think it is just as important as researching and planning our itinerary.

Thank you, Oldpenny.

Fine tuning our travel clothing/ luggage/supplies/organization is an enjoyable pastime, and it makes such a big difference in how much we enjoy traveling. I think it is just as important as researching and planning our itinerary.

The additional advantages are that I take the same precautions in my home area. Long gone are the days when we could just leave our purses in our offices where they would be secure. I can't even leave a nice pen on my desk!

Once you are in the habit of keeping your valuables secure, you can use the skill every day. I don't have the time or the mental agility to just think about security when I'm traveling. It has to be a strong habit.

Also long gone are the days when we could go to a party at someone's home and just put our purses down and walk away from them. Stay smart!

We had visitors for a long meeting yesterday. One of the young women was wearing very high heels and was throwing around a big purse. Her attire was more cocktail party than business. When she walked all you could hear was Clomp, clomp and clomp! Not attractive at all. She made fun of my business suit. She was playing the "I'm younger, I'm prettier" game. However when the day was over I was selected to run our part of a big meeting.

She wasn't.

We had visitors for a long meeting yesterday. One of the young women was wearing very high heels and was throwing around a big purse. Her attire was more cocktail party than business. When she walked all you could hear was Clomp, clomp and clomp! Not attractive at all. She made fun of my business suit. She was playing the "I'm younger, I'm prettier" game. However when the day was over I was selected to run our part of a big meeting.

She wasn't.

oldpenny, you rock! :)

I think the purse separation fear is very common with older women who fly infrequently. I sit in the bulkhead often and have seen FA's help older couples put their miscellaneous stuff in the overheard but allow the woman to keep a fairly large purse at her feet. (And most older women have fairly large, heavy purses.)

I don't quite understand the theory of putting all your valuables and important things in one bag which screams "everything valuable and important is conveniently right here Take me, take ME!" Convenient yes, smart no.

Escalators and moving sidewalks: As noted, many people do have vision problems but I suspect they are not the ones who come to a dead stop and stare at the amazing moving steps like they've never seen them before.

Sidewalks are a no brainer if you think ahead and realize you're going to either have to use your own legs now, or if you've been walking on the belt realize you are going to slow down when you step off and you need to compensate for that. There is a large segment of the population who lose the ability to read when they step on a moving sidewalk, or perhaps they don't know left from right. If they're between the ages of 12 and 65 and under 300 lbs I think it's okay to roll your bag lightly over their feet while trying to get through.

Escalators, getting off is easy enough, but you do have to plan ahead and realize the machine is going to stop carrying you and you have to walk now. Getting on with a rollerbag and backpack/personal item is difficult for me as I look down the sometimes very, very steep escalator and think about stepping on the crack that will soon become the edge of a step, try to balance my bag on the step behind me, and hold the rail with the arm that has a heavy backpack dangling from it. Briefly, I'm afraid of losing my balance and being thrust down the steps by the weight of my belongings. So I let the people behind me go first so I can take 20 seconds to orient myself to avoid certain death.

What I want to know is what's with people who don't understand that when elevator doors open there will probably be people inside wanting to get out.

I understand the anxiety of being separated from my purse, which usually has all of my valuables. When I travel with my BF he usually gives me his wallet to put in my purse too.

However keeping the area around your feet clear is a real safety issue and I don't believe that any level of personal anxiety outweighs this clear regulation.

Many years ago I worked as a pilot in a charter operation. We pilots also gave the preflight safety briefings and 9 times out of 10 when I had an issue with a passenger blocking the aisles with a purse, it was an older woman, and my observation is the same with fellow airline pax.

Through the airport and on the plane, I wear a small fanny pack secured to my waist, which contains my boarding pass, passport, credit cards, money, any meds, pen, tissues, etc. It can be unclipped and put inside my purse or personal item bag on arrival. My camera case and cell phone are in holders that attach to the fanny pack belt. The seat belt fastens underneath it with no problem, and I have never been asked to remove it in flight.

I like the convenience and security of having my valuables close to my body, and yet I still have my arms/hands free to deal with other luggage.

The additional advantages are that I take the same precautions in my home area. Long gone are the days when we could just leave our purses in our offices where they would be secure. I can't even leave a nice pen on my desk!

Once you are in the habit of keeping your valuables secure, you can use the skill every day. I don't have the time or the mental agility to just think about security when I'm traveling. It has to be a strong habit.

Also long gone are the days when we could go to a party at someone's home and just put our purses down and walk away from them. Stay smart!


The last time I was in Toronto, a woman at the table next to ours at a steakhouse left her handbag on her chair when she and her date stepped outside for 15 minutes. I was so surprised, I had to mention to her that that would not be a good idea in the States, or in most places. She replied that she does it all the time, and has never had a problem!

Here in Silicon Valley, I see women at Target and grocery stores leave their handbags gaping open in the shopping cart, wallets in plain sight, and walk away , even into the next aisle!

I would never, never do such a thing, although this is a fairly safe area. I admit, I do not take your precautions, but the backpack purse I use when not on travel has all the money and credit cards in a zipped pocket which is against my back. I do not leave my equipment out in class when I leave the room, just as I would not leave out drawings which have taken many hours, lest some accident occur. Just cautious - the most cautious in my family, but you are definitely more cautious than I!

oldpenny, you rock! :)

Very well said! I agree, youreadyfreddie!

People like that seem not to feel they have any substantive value - attention-grabbing superficiality is what others see. How can anyone take them seriously? I am glad that at your company, intelligence and good sense are valued. Teasing you about your appearance does sound as though she found your professionalism threatening.

I saw a really good example of poor purse management yesterday. I woman was loading up her car with groceries and children and left her purse on the bumper of her large SUV. Several of us waved her down. She didn't seem surprised. Mother fatigue!

I hope I'm not old enough to be described as a woman of a "certain age" but I'm uncomfortable leaving my purse unattended in a public place. With few exceptions, I'm touching it at all times, even if it's just sitting at my feet.

These days, a lot of fashionable purses don't zip shut, so--safety/theft issues aside--I'd be concerned about putting my favorite purses in the overhead bin given that "items may have shifted during flight" (as we're so frequently reminded). I'd hate to run the risk that my purse was jostled or tipped over and things spilled out.

I don't think this is generational. I'm 36 and I don't feel comfortable in public when my purse is out of my reach. I like knowing where my wallet and phone are at all times, and that I haven't forgotten my bag somewhere. Also, it's becuase I keep things in my purse for a reason -- they are things that I want to have access to whenever I need them. The whole point is always having a tissue, or a cough drop, or whatever, when I need it. If I put my purse in an overhead bin, I've defeated the entire purpose of carrying it at all.

Knowing this about myself, I don't choose bulkhead seats. If I do end up there for some reason, I usually hide my purse under a blanket.

I saw a really good example of poor purse management yesterday. I woman was loading up her car with groceries and children and left her purse on the bumper of her large SUV. Several of us waved her down. She didn't seem surprised. Mother fatigue!

I left my wallet of the roof of my car once, also due to mother fatigue. Within an hour a couple showed up at my house with some ID's and credit cards, and about $200 in cash. A week later someone mailed my my checkbook from somewhere in the midwest. It was fortunate the wallet careened off the roof near a two lane highway where these folk stopped, rather than on longish dirt road to the babysitter's.

For the record, my husband (of the same certain age as me) also complains that he must stop and look down when getting on/off an escalator. It is definitely a bifocal (err ..."progressive lens") thing. I think both sexes do it, but we notice women more (or men cover it up better).

As for the purse mystery, no mystery just common sense (as many others have noted)....I want my stuff nearby, usable, and not stolen!

And the purses left on the car roof...better the purse than the baby in the carrier!!

Now, let's move on to some of the other mysteries of life....like the elevator door one below (it seems to always surprise people that someone is inside) and the people who line up to give their boarding pass but don't actually have their pass at hand and ready to be scanned ) and why some men feel so compelled to spread their legs when sitting in a plane that they take up half my space. (oh wait, the first 2 are not gender-related!).
:cool:

Handbags are used to carry spouse's reading material, boarding passes, snacks, aspirin, plus whatever else spouse buys and does not want, himself, to carry. For those with young children, handbags are used to carry the same items for children, plus plastic bags, handiwipes. Add sweaters to the top. Then spouse and child twice an hour (there must be a regulation somewhere that this is mandatory) ask for Kleenix, games, books, have a question on what their itinerary says, wish to review their tickets once again. Plan for this to happen at least twice an hour for duration of trip.

Fortunately dogs do not travel with vacationing family on plane. Otherwise, dog would go up to handbag and drop in its doggie snacks and toys for safekeeping.

:)

When it is purse loading time the spouse says 'Dear could you just.......'

Thanks to Heaven for Scottevest so he can carry more of his own gear and stuff.

I understand the anxiety of being separated from my purse, which usually has all of my valuables. When I travel with my BF he usually gives me his wallet to put in my purse too.

A lot of men will habitually take their wallets out of their pockets and leave on desks, restaurant tables, etc.. This is even when they are not expecting to immediately use any of the contents. Seems like a habit that just makes it easier for loss or theft to occur, just like with women leaving purses out of reach and sight.

It does seem odd that your BF wants to put his wallet in your purse. Then if your purse is lost or stolen, both of your credit cards, identification, etc. are lost, which makes it much harder to get out of a jam.

It does seem odd that your BF wants to put his wallet in your purse.

Isn't that what purses are for?

Actually I hardly carry my hubby's wallet just his cell phone, kleenex, chapstick, eye drops, books...

I often carry wallet, keys and cell phone in my front pockets, if the pockets are big enough and if I don't have jacket pockets where I can stow those items. The reason we (men) like to take the stuff out of the pocket is that the pants can get uncomfortable when they are so "loaded". That might also be the reason for sitting with spread legs. No kidding.

I rarely ask my GF to carry anything in her purse, only the camera sometimes.

If I carried everything in one place I most certainly would fear for that purse which is the reason I prefer to spread my belongings over different pockets in different pieces of clothing. The downside of this is that I often have to search for where I put the phone or the wallet or the parking ticket. But I guess that's like searching for something in an overloaded purse.

Till

Till, I have seldom carried my husband's wallet for him. But he bought the Scottevest pants with multiple pockets a few years ago and wears them all the time. They are not pants for a slim young man as they look baggy and lumpy......he says that it fits with his retirement lifestyle.

Handbags are used to carry spouse's reading material, boarding passes, snacks, aspirin, plus whatever else spouse buys and does not want, himself, to carry. For those with young children, handbags are used to carry the same items for children, plus plastic bags, handiwipes. Add sweaters to the top. Then spouse and child twice an hour (there must be a regulation somewhere that this is mandatory) ask for Kleenix, games, books, have a question on what their itinerary says, wish to review their tickets once again. Plan for this to happen at least twice an hour for duration of trip.

Fortunately dogs do not travel with vacationing family on plane. Otherwise, dog would go up to handbag and drop in its doggie snacks and toys for safekeeping.

:)

This really made me laugh because that is exactly what happens to me. I end up with everything. The constantly asking for something drives me crazy. Anymore I just make him look through my purse himself.

Last year I carried a backpack type purse thing and mr b1513 was *watching* it for me while I got us coffee at the GVA train station. In the 2 minutes that he was in charge of it someone lifted it from right underneath his nose. Everything was gone including our both cell phones which really added a nice touch to the trip.

Bobette

Handbags are used to carry spouse's reading material, boarding passes, snacks, aspirin, plus whatever else spouse buys and does not want, himself, to carry. For those with young children, handbags are used to carry the same items for children, plus plastic bags, handiwipes. Add sweaters to the top. Then spouse and child twice an hour (there must be a regulation somewhere that this is mandatory) ask for Kleenix, games, books, have a question on what their itinerary says, wish to review their tickets once again. Plan for this to happen at least twice an hour for duration of trip.

Fortunately dogs do not travel with vacationing family on plane. Otherwise, dog would go up to handbag and drop in its doggie snacks and toys for safekeeping.

:)


Here's how I stopped being the family mule on vacations (one husband, two sons, I was carrying EVERYTHING in my purse!).

For trips I bought one of those "healthy back" sling bags in BLACK (color is important here). (For those who don't know what I mean, here's and example: http://www.ebags.com/ameribag/healthy_back_bag_medium_cotton_canvas_discontinued _colors/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=127912)

Now when I get tired of carrying everyone's umbrellas' cameras, maps,etc. I just hand the pack over to a nearby husband or son. It looks manly enough that they can't complain :)

Here's how I stopped being the family mule on vacations (one husband, two sons, I was carrying EVERYTHING in my purse!).

For trips I bought one of those "healthy back" sling bags...

I would have bought 4.

I also am one of the guys that first thing I do at my desk, which most of the time is a conference room table at a client site, is take my wallet and keys out of my pocket and place on the table. Never have any angst about it because its always in sight, just as a purse in the bulkhead overhead is in sight. Again my observation is the only one who thinks its odd are women of a certain age making me think its is generational, ingrained from a previous generational upbringing. Never have comments from 20 or 30 generation. Kind of like untied shoelaces, you never hear younger people say "shoes untied."

Very interesting discussion.

Again my observation is the only one who thinks its odd are women of a certain age making me think its is generational, ingrained from a previous generational upbringing. Never have comments from 20 or 30 generation. Kind of like untied shoelaces, you never hear younger people say "shoes untied."

They use velcro now. And welcome to the previous generation. :p

Do you use a different purse for travel? I've started carrying a Sherpani messenger tote as my "travel purse". They are cute and feminine but also functional, and I can use it as a purse/carryon without needing to put my regular purse inside another bag so I can stay under the 2 carry-on limit.

What do others do?

Fortunately dogs do not travel with vacationing family on plane. Otherwise, dog would go up to handbag and drop in its doggie snacks and toys for safekeeping.

:)

:D

In the last 10 years of her life, my Mom logged about 450,000 BIS miles - not exactly an infrequent traveler. She traveled all over Europe - including the Soviet Union, the U.S., South America and China. Her purse was never more than arm's length from her, including at night after one of her tour mates in Russia woke up to find a thief in her room one night. The only way an FA would have gotten that purse into the overhead bin was over Mom's cold, dead body. She kept her passport and credit cards in a body pouch, but the purse held her medications, spare glasses, camera, etc.

Me, I've had the experience of having my wallet stolen and dealt with credit card fraud twice. I haven't yet reached "a certain age" but I still wouldn't put my purse in the overhead.

As for escalators, one thing I haven't seen mentioned is shoes. I no longer where spike heels, but when I did, I was always worried about catching the heel in things, and it did happen a few times. Men's shoes tend to have a broader, flatter sole, making them safer on uneven surfaces.

Mrs noiseboy carries, what I refer to as a "Suitcase", I'm sure if I asked her for a cold drink, she would open it up, open fridge door and produce one.:eek:

I do not give her anything to carry for me as I can never be sure if it will re-appear again, and the mere thought of putting a hand in there fills me with dread. I once did and pulled my hand out with an old sticky sweet attached to it, never again, I won't even rescue her phone for her.

We recently flew to NZ on a 747 of ANZ in PE, and there were really useful storage boxes next to each window seat.

I can appreciate the problems people have with escalators / moving walkways so always give them consideration, but what does annoy me are the people who stand still and block the whole walkway / escalator.

Oldpenny16: your ideas are similar to the "Housife" which were used by soldiers in the 2 great wars and contained the useful bits and pieces needed for repairs to their uniforms.

A friend of ours in NZ makes them as a hobby and sells at local events for use as a travelling jewellery pouch.

As a "Geezer" I have found this thread to be very informative.

Keep up the good posts Ladies.

Noiseboy

megan, I have a Sherpani that I love too! It took me ages to decide which one to get because they're all so bright and fun, but I finally settled on the small shoulder wallet. It looks tiny, but I can fit my driver's license, credit card, debit card, phone, camera, and lip balm inside. Great for when I want just the necessities. I haven't flown with it yet, but it's small enough to stash inside my carry on without taking up much space.
http://sherpani.com/sherpani-zoe.aspx?bO3FscouH=1&GQd0EjaqX=7&pmdoXJC4W=193

I've considered getting the Scottevest women's jacket because it seems so convenient to have all the necessities organized into specific pockets (and it seems like a dream come true on the days I wear outfits without any pockets), but I haven't convinced myself that I truly need it...yet.

I tend to carry a pretty small purse most of the time, so Mr. Mojo almost always carries his own stuff (phone, wallet, keys). We flew internationally with my sister a few months ago and suddenly I had the mom bag (even though none of us have kids). I got to carry the bag with the headphones, eye masks, snacks, etc. Once we were all settled in, Mr. Mojo asked if he could put his wallet and phone in my bag too. I didn't mind since the bag was under the seat in front of me the entire time, but I don't blame him for wanting to empty out his pockets for a fifteen hour flight!

I'm in my 30s and although I'm not totally paranoid and jumpy, I do not understand why other women leave their purses unattended. I lost my purse once and the hassle of having to call every bank, credit card company, etc. to close out the old accounts and have new cards issued was such a pain in the neck and a waste of time that I never want to have to do it again. Simplest way to avoid it: keep my purse on my body at all times.

We have had several thefts at work, so I always keep my purse locked in my desk and when I leave my office, I lock that too. It's sad that we can't be more relaxed and trusting, but at this point I think better safe than sorry. I have seen a thief walk into a room full of people and brazenly steal a purse that was on the floor. I saw it happen out of the corner of my eye, so when I turned and yelled, "Hey!" the guy took off running. The woman whose purse was stolen was flying to a conference two days later, she luckily she had her passport at home but she knew she couldn't get her cards replaced before she left so it was a huge hassle.

On a similar note (the note being "I don't understand why people do these things"), I also don't understand why so many women buy fancy expensive purses and then put them on the bathroom floor. Ugh. Just thinking about it gives me the heebie jeebies.

I'm with CDtraveler on the heels possibly catching in the escalator tracks. If I'm wearing flat shoes, I usually walk right off the end without hesitating, but with girlier shoes, I'm much more cautious because I have had all kinds of clumsy experiences (tripping, snagging part of my shoe, or just being a general klutz).