How do you pack? Rolls or Flat?
 

Hey everyone!

Was wondering if there's any correlation between how much you fly and how you pack your bags. I couldn't find a way of posting a poll, so I'll keep track of this thread and post edits as we get more votes. I'll just ask you to reply in this format to make things easier for me: [usual number of miles butt in seat per year] / [packing preference]. e.g.: 120k / rolls.

80k/half roll, half flat, never check bags.

Depends on the bag.

Double clamshell soft-sided carry-on (yes, I'm retro): flat, and strapped down with the internal straps.
Top or end loading duffel (usually used for sports things or field trips): rolls, usually with a second bag or divider to hold dirty clothes.
40K/both, depends on the bag and the trip

I "iron" my shirts when I arrive at a hotel by hanging them close to the shower and running the shower scalding hot for 10 minutes or so with the bathroom door closed.

I purchased "magic fiber" polo shirts in Shanghai that will not crease when rolled for travel.

100K - flat, with shirts/jackets in dry cleaning plastic bags/wraps, folded in thirds in a valet bag, placed on top of the other items in my carry-on.

Packing
 

It depends on the garments, but I roll small items and bundle larger, and always use packing cubes.

Oops I think I might have misread the title I thought it was about shipping cars the "L" looked like an I

carry on

175k/flat for suits and trousers as well as shirts (in plastic with laundry's cardboard still in except around collar); everything else rolled.

50k/rolls, carry-on only (since I don't like waiting or paying for the airlines to lose my luggage!).

Only exception to that rule are:

1. I'm travelling to an agriculture area in the US (i.e. SJU/HNL) where I'd rather dump the bag at check in and let the USDA/TSA work their magic on the bag
2. I'm moving and have more to items to carry than a simple backpack

Regardless of what approach I use I never check anything of value in (i.e. I'll be comfortable losing the baggage). In other words, passport, expensive (>$100) electronics, and medication always come on board as carry on, doesn't matter what airline I fly!

Safe Travels,

James

60k, half flats half rolls. Hard shell int'l rollaboard + messenger bag. For weekend trips, just a weekender duffle and doesn't really matter too much how it goes in.

75k - 100k / half and half. Carry-on (22'' rollerboard) only for work unless I'm trying to bring back alcohol (e.g., Japanese Whisky, Australian wine, etc.).

Carry-on rollerboard has garmet section for 1 suit + 2-4 shirts which I iron when I get to my hotel (unless going to multiple cities in which case I only iron the specific shirt for that city). Roll my gym clothes and fold the rest (jeans, khakis, polos, khaki shorts if applicable).

50 and flat

Frequent flyer for more than 10 years. I've went from no clue, to rolling everything, to throwing everything in the bag at the last minute. I range from 60 flights to 140 flights per year, and now I simply hate packing until I have to.

The one thing I do is find clothes that are less prone to wrinkling, and are iron friendly. Second is waiting until the last minute to pack, and hanging everything in the hotel the minute I arrive.