The Art of Not Packing Lightly

I just love to travel. Don’t you? Travel should be my middle name. I haven’t been to half the places I want to see, but I can still think about it. Anticipating a trip is so much fun. And then there’s the packing.

Oh, the packing. I think I have my maternal grandmother’s packing genes. She traveled a lot. All over the place. North America, South America, Central America, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Iceland. Yes, the woman got around. And she didn’t pack light. But she managed to take just one suitcase and a carry-on. And those were the days before strict airline rules and regs. Gram knew how to pack a suitcase. She also managed to schlep back gifts for all of us from wherever she traveled.

Traveling by car is a no-brainer: you just toss in what ever you need. Easy. No weighing, no measuring. No fuss. Traveling by air is another story.

I wouldn’t say that I’m a frequent flyer, but I do manage to hop on a plane or two every three to four months. When I first started flying back and forth to Italy I was taking a honking huge suitcase and a rather large carry-on, plus an oversized tote bag. Hey, I was traveling across the big pond. I was sure I would need everything and then some. Wrong. Now I know why the airlines have strict rules about what you bring on the plane. It’s my fault. Sorry.

I have since condensed it (7 years later) to a carry-on sized suitcase, a smaller carry-on and a honking huge tote bag. Ok, ok. Come on. I still need certain things and besides, these days with all the electronics: laptop, laptop charger, several cell phones and chargers, ipod and charger and European adapters, well, you get the idea. Everyone has an electronics bag. I know. I’ve seen it. I work in an airport, remember?

In one tiny suitcase I have managed to squeeze in 2-3 weeks worth of clothes, shoes and cosmetics. Not to mention extraneous paraphernalia: music, microphones, gifts. Lots of gifts. And this year’s trips will include all the packaged foods for this diet I’m on. I know, I know. I’m going to Italy and not eating pasta or pizza. So sue me.

I usually start packing for an overseas trip the day before I leave. Yes. Really. I’ve done it so many times that now it’s a piece of cake. Traveling for a weekend trip to see my mother in Florida (I hate Florida) takes a bit more thought. I don’t like to check any bags, so I really need to think about what I take.

Then there is the line at security. As an employee I can jump the line, skip ahead and go through without removing my shoes providing they don’t sound the alarm. As a passenger I have to wait in line like everyone else. I don’t mind. What I do mind are the people who still think they can carry in bottles of water or whatever. Stop it people. You create a traffic jam. Stop arguing with TSA and just toss the contraband in the conveniently located trash barrels. There are signs everywhere telling you what you cannot bring on board. Illiteracy is not an excuse. There are pictures.

Unless you are first class or business, or you have a small child or you need assistance boarding, you need to wait until they call your row. They usually board from the rear forward. There is a mass surge to board the plane. Regardless of where they are sitting, people are pushing ahead. Fine by me. You want to sit an extra 45 minutes longer? Knock yourself out. I calmly go when my row is called (I’m such a good girl) and stow my stuff in the overhead, take drugs, put on my headphones and sleep. Sometimes I’m asleep before we leave the ground. Sometimes I miss the gourmet meals. No great loss. Don’t wake me please.

Seven hours later we arrive and before the plane even comes to a full stop everyone is grabbing their bags and heading for the exit, talking a mile a minute on their phones. Meanwhile the exit door is still closed. So sit down. Relax. You’re not going anywhere yet. And when you do, remember to thank the flight crew.

I love to travel. When I arrive back home, I’m already planning the next trip. Before my bags are emptied. Anticipation is everything. Let’s start packing!