Packing tips - Masterthread: Includes how to pack a suit!
 

EDIT: PLEASE (!) do keep this thread clean of individual luggage tip questions. It is meant to be a resource/compendium of knowledge, not a pool for individual little questions. THANKS!


The questions of how to pack and especially how to pack suits and shirts come up again and again. I thus decided to create this as a masterthread that will hopefully be stickied.

To kick this off successfully I am posting a compilation of links from previous threads that should be "required readings" and will most likely answer already most of the questions. Of course, it will be very helpful if people can still ask their specific packing questions here if they don't find the answer in any of the links.

How to fold a suit jacket (with video and comments):
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/....html#comments

How to fold a suit jacket (with pictures and comments):
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2009/...r-folding.html

How to best pack a 22" (standard) rollaboard (works for almost any normal suitcase, too):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...od-22-a-2.html

The above contains a third suit packing technique that is ideal for shoulder bags in post #15.

The basic technique of the "wrap-around-shirtfolder" trick can be seen here (with pictures and comments):
http://blog.makingitclear.com/foldingsuit/

A short resume of the most common packing techniques and their uses:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...s-packing.html

A little treatise on packing accessories like folders and packing cubes and how to best use them:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-packing.html

The above contains a "case study" of packing a bag. You will also find the best way to pack ties.

A discussion of the pros and cons of the bundle wrapping method that can be found on the onebag.com website among others:
http://www.1bag1world.com/obow-light...um/post/878417

I hope this helps! :)

Till

Here's another one from PH with photos and comments:

http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/1...mith/#comments

This one is on packing liquids (311) - with sample photos:
http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/1...1-liquids-bag/

And this one is on traveling without liquids:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ht=liquid+free

with its sister thread on OBOW:
http://www.1bag1world.com/obow-light...um/post/922386

A dedicated discussion of the Eagle Creek 18" pack-it folder with video:
http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/1...ek-pack-it-18/

Till

Thanks for the sticky! ^

Here are two more threads this time specifically for the ladies. The first one deals with classic overpacking syndrome:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/women...-possible.html

The second one deals with overpacking out of inexperience and features detailed examples of the thought process that is useful when you want to reduce your load:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/women...ggestions.html

Till

Packing strategies and tools
 

One of the tools to work on the great packing light challenge is a good and precise scale to actually weigh items. You'll be surprised how much your electric razor weighs and how much a men's shirt weighs - actually about the same at 200-280 gram. That's easily half a pound.

So here is what I use (no connections to the seller at all):
The fantastic MyWeigh 7001DX here
http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-7001dx.aspx

It is a kitchen and postage scale, exact to the gram. It will convert on the fly between grams, kg, lbs and ounces. The LCD is backlit which makes it even easier to read. The numbers stay on even after you take the weighed object off for those times when you weigh something so big it covers the display. It has a tare and a reset option and it is very accurate. It has been to the gram exact with the calibrated scale at the USPS office. It weighs up to 7kg which is not so common for kitchen scales and very handy for luggage purposes. I weighed most of my bags and accessories with it, too.

I have been on the same set of AA batteries for 4+ years but you can use a wallwart. Just bought one for my best friend, too. It comes with a bowl and two postage devices; one for envelopes and one for poster rolls, so they don't roll off.

I use it a lot and it's never given me grief. The seller is also very reliable and the price is right.

A packing strategy of two bags (probably the most common one):
http://www.1bag1world.com/obow-light...um/post/894037

And some considerations on getting a bag with the right volume to weight ratio:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...criterion.html

PhlyingRPH made a very good comment on piggybacking a briefcase on a rollaboard here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12995363-post7.html

There are two ways to do that. One is to stack the briefcase atop the rolling luggage and attach it to the expansion handles. This is quick and gives a flat and high silhouette. The other option is to hang the briefcase from a hook resting against the front side of the roller. This is also quick except that you need to affix the hook. It will give a bulkier look but has one potentially important advantage. The center of gravity will be lower and the weight will be born by the wheels instead of your forearm and shoulder.

Try it out. If you have a heavy briefcase this really makes a difference.

Thanks, PhlyingRPH!

While the following link is not purely on packing, it contains many good travel tips relating to packing and the security of your luggage:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l#post13015987

Till

I added the suit folding technique tutorial that inspired my "wrap-around-shirtfolder" trick. See post #1.

Till

This thread is self-explanatory:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-warranty.html

For checked bags make sure you get one from one of those brands.

An exemplary packing list for the male traveler
 

Here is an exemplary list for the male traveler from an OBOW post. I call it the "ultimate packing list". Well, of course, it isn't but it's a REALLY good starting point.

http://www.1bag1world.com/obow-light...um/post/862808

I note on the clothes that you are wearing on the plane that if you are paranoid about these things your chances of suffering very bad burns will be less if you wear natural fibers instead of man-made fibers. Wool is especially fire-retardant and is basically the single best clothing material if ever there was one.

Till

Personal Item dimensions
 

Very often passengers are allowed one maximum legal carry-on size piece of luggage plus one personal item. The size for the MLC piece is usually given and sometimes even weight specs are given. However, the size or weight limit for the personal item are usually NOT given. What they do is they give examples like: purse, small backpack, briefcase, photo bag. A common sense definition has to be applied here. There are photo bags that are so big you could park a garbage truck in them and there are women that carry purses that are so big they could carry the kitchen sink. :)

What the personal item is basically defined as is an item that fits under the seat in front of you. That means two things. It means that this item should actually go there and not in the bin. So please keep the personal item personal and keep it at your seat and don't fill the bin with it. I've even heard that more and more from FAs recently. It makes perfect sense.

The second thing is that now, of course, we want to know: What fits under the seat in front of me?

There are two answers. A general guideline and a very specific answer.

General guideline:
Look for something that is not bigger than 17-18 by 11-12 by 8. You want to top out at around 36-38 linear inches.


Specific answer:
jaxbill had a very clever answer to this. I link his post here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13589659-post11.html

He says, look up the maximum hard shell pet carrier size that is allowed. They must be stowed under the seat in front of you. So these can differ from airline to airline and from plane to plane. In order to be sure you should do two things. 1. Call the airline. 2. Check on seatguru.com. They will tell you if the seat in front of you has an "entertainment box" installed under it. You don't want these seats if you want to maximize space.

Till

Another packing suggestion:

Article

Pictures

in the last photo when she's sitting on the bag, it looks like she has the "expander" unzipped. My understanding is that with the expander open, most carry ons are no longer of carry on size.

You missed the key point - she's a FA. How many times have you seen them roll on with a roller, bag stacked on-top and a bag hanging from the hook? I don't begrudge them but the flight crew isn't/doesn't seem to be as bound by carry-on regs as us passengers.

(not a complaint, just an observation)

MODS - can you delete this post of mine - I just realized that this is a sticky and the comment is too trivial for a sticky topic - thanks

Thanks for helping to keep the sticky clean and compact, gentlemen! :)

There is already another discussion of her article and pictures in this post:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-ny-times.html

Till

[QUOTE=JMN57;13928292]You missed the key point - she's a FA. How many times have you seen them roll on with a roller, bag stacked on-top and a bag hanging from the hook? I don't begrudge them but the flight crew isn't/doesn't seem to be as bound by carry-on regs as us passengers.

I believe flight crews are exempt from the 2 carry-on limit and also from the 3-1-1 liquid limit.

I believe flight crews are exempt from the 2 carry-on limit and also from the 3-1-1 liquid limit.

I often see flight crews, mostly FA’s with a third black case, these are usually insulated food bags that the FA’s carry with them because they keep the per diems that the airlines give them and thus can not afford to eat out, so they carry 3 to 4 days worth of food with them.


I use a 5” wide hard shell Samsonite attaché case as my personal carry on item, it is exactly 35 linear inches so it meet all the rules. The internal size is 12” x 17” so it can easily take a net book or a thin laptop and still have room to spare. I always pack my laptop in my roller board because I do not have the need to access it in flight, so I use my attaché case for other items. It has file folder compartments which I use, but they can be cut out if not needed and then the internal depth is 4.75 inches.

Because it is a hard shell, I use it as a footrest when I place it underneath the seat in front of me, and once airborne, I place it vertical behind my legs to free up the space under the seat in front of me. I hook it to my roller bag with the bags supplied strap and it balances my roller bag perfectly so I can hold the handle with one finger as I walk through the terminal.

Another item I carry on board with me is a small insulated soft collapsible food bag, these are allowed under the rules because the rules say a bistro sized food bag can be carried on board in addition to the other 2 items allowed. It is large enough to hold a six pack of cans, so sometimes I buy or bring sandwiches from home to eat on board. To keep my food cold, I pack a zip lock bag of ice when I leave the house, dump the ice before security, but keep the bag and refill the ice from a food vendor in the terminal. I have even got ice on board the airplane if I needed it to keep my food cold for a long time. I usually tell who ever I ask for ice I need the ice to keep my medicines cold, it works every time.

Occasionally I have been told by non airline security guards before I get in line at security that I have 3 carry on items, I tell them that it is a food bag and is allowed under the rules, so they let it pass, they have never asked me to open it for inspection and I have never had a problem with the TSA either.

Mr. Elliott

This works!
 

Thanks again to tfar for organizing this info for us! I packed my boyfriend's sportjacket for the Chicago DO using the method above. It worked great. It wasn't wrinkled at all when we unpacked it, though partly that was the fiber content. I printed out the instructions, including pictures, and put it in his bag. He re-packed it himself for the trip home. Both of us had to practice three times before getting it right, but now it's easy! So, thanks!

I've used the sportjacket packing method on numerous occasions as well, works like a charm. Thanks again Till!

Hi frnz..

I agree with you all.we should use folding bags for long journey.

Interesting, I was reading Lifehacker this morning and saw a reference to How to Fold a jacket, they embedded the video of Till's excellent instructions! You can see it here.

Mods, has this been accidentally "un-stickied"? I think this kind of FAQ to all things packing was a fabulous and often used resource in the travel products forum since it makes the perfect connection between the products, which products to use for what and how to use them.

It might make sense to sticky it back. :cool:

Till

Please restick!
 

Please make this thread a sticky again. Until everybody stops wearing suits and sportjackets, this thread will be relevant. I, for one, appreciated its easy-to-find location, at the top of the forum!

Bringing this to the top again and renewing my request to sticky it. :)

EDIT: Hip, hip, hurrah! Many thanks for the sticky! :)

Till

Avoid Luggage Theft
 

This is a good thread on luggage theft prevention:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...revention.html

Till

I was just wondering, is it ok to pack aerosoles like deodorant and shaving cream, in the checkin luggage? I'm not thinking of airline policies, but the actual physical effects of flying, because I believe while the cabin is pressured to about 8,000 feet, the hold is not pressured?

What I mean is, deodorants and shaving cream leak/explode due to the change in air pressure? I'd buy them once I get overseas, the only trouble is, once I'm in Europe on holiday, I'll be flying around a bit there and don't want to keep buying new bottles/packets etc every week!

I'd avoid aerosols if possible. Can you live with a stick or roll on deodorant while travelling? Shave cream from the hotel? They do make dry shave cream, and some people have good luck with shaving oil while travelling. I go with an electric razor.

But either way, whenever I pack anything that has a chance of leaking, I double-bag it in a ziplock bags. The key is to put it in one ziplock, seal it, and then put THAT one into another ziplock, and seal. So far, even with a few minor "explosions", the rest of my suitcase stayed clean.

Super, thanks!

Pretty please with whipped cream on top, DO KEEP THE STICKY CLEAN! :)

This kind of question can easily be found with a search and does not need to clutter the sticky. This also applies to similar kind of question and basically all stickies.

Huge Thanks!

Till

Very nice, practical thread!

Lady JDiver and I travel (up to six weeks with multi-mode transport, including cruise, rail and air,) with the currently allowable rollaboard and "personal item", and we learnt from some friends who opened a travel store in the Sacramento, CA USA area many years ago. She who invented this particular system (1970s) has passed, her husband is retired and their son (Jon Holloway) currently runs the shop and has expanded online - and best of all, has their "packing mehtod" online with videos.

If you can understand Uhmurrikin Inglish, you may benefit from the videos... ;)

Link to the resources page (long and short version videos, diagrams, etc.)

I knew the videos but thanks for posting the link. The suit packing technique is interesting. Now I would recommend to combine that technique with my folding version (not the video version but the other one) from one of the first posts. It is very similar to the one shown in the diagrams but has the advantage of having the jacket lining on the outside. This will make the jacket/shirt bundle more wrinkle resistant because the smooth jacket lining allows for slip against the material of the pants. Adding in a shirt folder for additional structure would also be a good idea.

Till

In the vein of the thread on the Secrets of Luggage Theft prevention (see link in post #23), there is also the thread on luggage identification:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ification.html

Good read with many tips, telling you what to put on your luggage tags, where to put them, how to spot the bag on the carousel and so on.

Till

Maybe we can have a BIG "EDITABLE" STICKY.. that can be UPDATED to LINK to Good notable threads.. Like a Big "Best Tips, Tricks, Learnings & Experiences on Flyertalk" that links to good threads that may go UNDER..

This is probably one of the best examples I have seen on how to pack a suit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI

The trick with the method posted in the video above is to leave air in the bag. The actual folding of the suit jacket and the pants is less than ideal.

The creasing in the jacket takes place in a very visible spot and the shoulders are not dampened or protected (that's why you need the air in the bag). The trousers also will get sharp creases and are bent twice where with other techniques a single bend will be sufficient. And the bend can actually be dampened thus not causing wrinkles.

Moreover, this technique means you have to find a bag that fits the suit and you are using about double the packing space you actually need to avoid wrinkles. That's 100% waste. Not very efficient.

Yes, the technique works but you may just as well use a garment bag. Because your volume to weight ratio with this technique is about just as bad as using a garment bag.

Till

Masterthread: Includes how to pack a suit!
 

You have explained it so nicely...Thanks!

It is fascinating to watch this guy folding it, tried it and sorry but I have two left arms and could never do it like that... For now, I keep hanging it in the shower every time I unpack it.
OH and a lot of praying BEFORE packing it;)

Welcome to FT promocodeinn and feel free to contribute.

Is there a "best" way to pack a suit in the airboss?
 

I was wondering if anyone has input on the "best" way to pack a suit into an Airboss? The other thread got hijacked half way through, so I figure I would ask here. I've read through the tfar's multiple (and greatly informative) posts, but was hoping to find a video on the preferred technique.

So far, it seemed like the wrap-around-the-shirt-folder technique is favored by many. But, I havent been able to wrap my head around the technique fully and can't find a video anywhere. Do you leave the hanger in the jacket? Do you wrap the suit around the folder forward or backwards (so wrinkles are more likely on the back of the jacket)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Redoxx has a nice illustration for this.

... and welcome to FT soundbytegfx.

Thank you for the welcome. I'm familiar with bundle packing, but I've read many people on here have preferred methods for packing a suit. Essentially, Im trying to find a picture tutorial or video (ideal) of the "wrap-around-shirtfolder" technique that tfar mentions in several of his posts. I've seen all the suit jacket folding videos around, but none of them seem to reflect this method.