Follow 5 Simple Steps to Smart Packing

Today, Packing Smart Means Packing Light
Follow 5 Simple Steps to Smart Packing

PORTLAND, OR, April 21, 2008 —Today’s airways are fraught with problems. We hear every day about:

• Flight cancellations: hundreds of cancelled flights — due to weather, mechanical problems, inspection issues, etc. — resulting in thousands of stranded passengers;
• Airline failures: four airlines stopped flying recently and another declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy — this also stranded thousands of passengers, some for days;
• Baggage restrictions: most airlines will now allow only one checked bag for free, forcing travelers to pack less or pay the price.

Yet even with these grim headlines, we choose to fly for business and for vacations to save time and/or money (given current and projected gas prices). What air travelers need is a good plan so they won’t be too inconvenienced by unforeseen problems and delays.

Packing expert Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler, suggests a good first step is to “pack light – fly with a carry-on bag only so rebooking options are completely open.” Packing light in one carry-on bag gives air travelers the freedom to change flights quickly, to be the passenger who gets the last seat on the next flight without checked luggage hassles.

Foster sees at least one positive result of recent travel nightmares. “Packing light eliminates sore backs and offers freedom,” she points out. “With less to worry about, less to unpack and repack at each stop, less to lift and lug, travelers will benefit with more flexibility to cope with the various stresses of travel.”

Foster’s tried-and-true advice for packing light is to follow 5 simple Smart Packing steps:

1. Plan   2. Select 3. Edit   4. Pack   5. Go

1. As you plan your trip, think about what clothes you’ll need for the weather and your scheduled activities, then create a packing list (see ready-made lists at www.smartpacking.com.) Without a list, you are sure to forget an important item either at home or along the way.

2. Select items to pack, placing them out in an undisturbed area. This is best done several days before departure. Check the destination weather again to make sure you’ve chosen the right things to be comfortable.
    Smart travelers know the amount of clothing packed has nothing to do with the length of the trip. There is little difference between packing for a week and packing for a month, you simply wear and clean the same things more times.

3. Edit your selections to fit into a small suitcase. The larger the bag, the more you will pack and the more it will weigh. A 22” rolling bag, the largest legal carry-on size, should serve most travelers for most trips. How? Just take less!
   • Choose versatile pieces that can work in different combinations; expect to wear each item more than once. Take fewer things and plan for laundry, either hand washing, a stop at a coin operated laundry, or using hotel service. For example, pack only three pair of quick-drying underwear that can be washed out and dried overnight: one to wear, one to wash, and a spare.
   • Resist the impulse to add in ”but what if I need…” items.
   • Three pairs of shoes are absolutely the maximum, one to wear and two pair to pack. Make sure these shoes are comfortable; you won’t have fun if your feet hurt.
   • Take only 3 ounces of essential cosmetics and toiletries. Buy sample/travel sizes, or transfer the amount needed into small containers. Remember you are only allowed 3- ounce containers of liquids and gels; place them in a one-quart zip-top baggie for easy airport security inspection. Think you need more? Search out “non-liquid/gel” alternatives: stick deodorant in place of roll-on; powder makeup in place of liquid. Also remember unless you are going to a remote locale, you can buy sample-size items at your destination, and discard them before flying home.

4. Pack at least a day before travel to allow plenty of time to edit and repack if necessary. Use the most efficient packing techniques and aids to minimize wrinkling and speed the process.
   • Interfold large items by alternating layers so they will cushion each other in the suitcase; adding plastic cleaners bags between layers minimizes wrinkles.
   • Group small items (socks, underwear, rolled tee-shirts) into packing cubes or zip-top bags to organize and speed packing and repacking.
   • Tuck small items into shoes to make use of every inch of space.

5. Go. Travel light to any destination and be comfortable, well dressed, and happy. It’s that easy!

Going by car or train or bus? Don’t use that as an excuse to pack a lot more. If you use these same tips, you will have less to schlep around and less to keep track of. Happy traveling.

These simple steps can mean the difference between total frustration and just minor inconvenience the next time you fly. For other smart packing and travel tips, visit www.smartpacking.com.

To request a review copy of Smart Packing, to arrange an interview with Susan Foster,
or for any additional information, please contact Kate Bandos at KSB Promotions at
800-304-3269 or 616-676-0758 • kate@ksbpromotions.com
For other useful packing tips and helpful articles visit www.smartpacking.com.

Smart Packing For Today’s Traveler, Third Edition
by Susan Foster • 248 pages • 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" • 400 line illustrations • Resources
Bibliography • Detailed Index • ISBN-13: 978-0-9702196-7-1 •   $19.95 trade paperback • Published April 2008

Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler is distributed nationwide by Midpoint Trade Books. It is available in bookstores, libraries, and travel stores, from online bookstores, by calling 503-452-9384, or by visiting www.smartpacking.com. Published by Smart Travel Press.

Please send copies of any review or mention to kate@ksbpromotions.com or
Smart Travel Press, Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298-0514

It's a suitcase, not your closet!

Travel light and love it!

Packing light is no longer a choice -- it is becoming essential. Airlines are chipping away at both carry-on and checked baggage allowances. New airline policies mean taking too much will cost more. If you have resisted packing light for travel, the following facts should change your thinking!

•As of 2/10/07, Spirit Airlines (US low cost carrier) allows passengers to check only one bag of up to 50 pounds for free. Checking a second bag will cost $10, a third $100.

• As of 2/13/07, British Airways rejects any bag weighing more than 50 pounds. Other airlines accept heavier bags and charge for the extra weight.

• Aer Lingus now charges for every bag checked on flights within Europe. Tran-Atlantic passengers may check two bags at no charge, however the weight allowance is less – a maximum of 80 pounds of checked luggage in two bags where the previous weight was 100 pounds in two bags.

Airlines are forcing change, but it has a positive result. Susan Foster, packing expert and author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler says “Packing light saves sore backs and offers freedom – less to worry about, less to unpack and repack at each stop, less to lift and lug – and you benefit with more time for sightseeing, shopping, having fun.”

Foster shares some tips so you can start now to pack light for spring break, summer vacation or your next business trip:

1. Think about clothes you’ll need for the weather and activities and create a packing list as you plan your trip. Smart travelers know the amount of clothing packed has nothing to do with the length of the trip, there is little difference between packing for a week and packing for a month (you simply wear the same things more times).

2. Schedule packing at least one day before departure. Check the destination weather again – refine your choices and edit out what is not essential. Ignore the urge to add in "but what if…" items.

3. Choose a small suitcase. The larger the bag the more you pack... and the more it will weigh. It is difficult to cram more than 40 pounds into a 22” rolling bag, but easy to pack 50+ pounds into a 26” suitcase with room for more.

4. Just take less. Choose versatile pieces that can be worn in different combinations and expect to wear each item more than once. Pack only 3 pair of quick-drying underwear that can be washed out and dried overnight: one to wear, one to wash, and a spare.

5. Take comfortable shoes. You will not have a good time if your feet hurt. Three pairs of shoes are the maximum: one to wear and two to pack.

6. Pack easy-care clothes that you love – choose clothes from your closet that still appear fresh at the end of a long day. If things wrinkle at home, they will surely wrinkle while traveling.

7. Pack only the cosmetics and toiletries needed. Buy travel/sample sizes or transfer the amount needed into small containers. Cosmetics often represent half of the weight of a fully packed suitcase!

8. Weigh each bag on a bathroom scale before leaving home. Before going to the airport, read your airline baggage policy online or call to ask how many bags are allowed for each ticketed passenger, and any bag weight restrictions. Do not assume that it is the same as for your last flight!

Spend a little time now planning to pack less and discover big benefits on your vacation. Packing light simplifies travel and gives you time to focus on having fun or getting your work done efficiently.

Pack smart, travel easy!

Revised 2008

© 2007 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, PO Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298, Susan@smartpacking.com

New report says airline service has declined - Duh!

We have all experienced it, but this makes it official! On April 2, 2007 the 16th annual Airline Quality Rating report found that for the third year in a row there were more airline passengers bumped, more bags lost and fewer on-time flights. This report studied 18 airlines and based its research on Transportation Department statistics. In response to the report, an industry spokesperson was quoted as saying that the situation is not expected to improve anytime soon.

News headlines recently featured several airline debacles, with the Valentine’s Day 10-hour ground hold by JetBlue at New York’s JFK airport being the worst. Hundreds of passengers were trapped in aircraft on the tarmac, waiting to depart during an ice storm. This has lead to a ground swell of passenger’s rights movements, and only time will tell how this will affect travelers.

What can the general public do with this information? According to Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler (www.smartpacking.com), just realizing that it may happen to you on your next flight and planning for that possibility is a wise approach.

To avoid involuntary bumping, Foster suggests travelers should check in for their flight online as far in advance as their airline allows. Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check in and get through security to your gate (this can be as much as 2 hours in advance), and know your airline check-in deadline. If you’re late, they can reassign your seat and you may be left behind.

Foster strongly recommends that travelers know their rights to compensation if they are bumped. Go to the airline’s website and look for “Contract of Carriage”, search for “bumping compensation”. Or ask the travel agent or airline ticket agent for a printed version.

Since none of us can predict how and when travel disasters might occur, the best plan is to be prepared on every trip. Foster offers some simple measures travelers can take to help survive airport and aircraft delays as they embark on their next trip, be it for business or pleasure.

The Problem: Aircraft are held for hours on the tarmac and run out of food and water

1. Pack a carry-on bag with survival snacks that are NOT liquid or gel, and that don’t require refrigeration. Crackers, granola bars, trail mix, raisins, fresh fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, grapes) all can be packed from home and will successfully pass through airport TSA security screening.

2. Buy a water bottle in the airport for each passenger in your group, after you have cleared security. Even if you travel on schedule, you will appreciate having plenty to drink without waiting for service from the flight attendants. Some Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners allow an empty water bottle to pass through the security checkpoint to be refilled inside the secure area.

3. If traveling with an infant, be sure to pack extra diapers, baby food and supplies to accommodate a possible delay. Baby formula and breast milk may exceed the 3-ounce (see 3-1-1 rule below) limit, as well as other infant/toddler foods.

The Problem: Carry-on Liquids and Gels

Foster reminds travelers to follow TSA’s “3-1-1” rule for carrying on cosmetics, toiletries, and all liquids, gels or aerosols. Most of the world follows the same policy for liquids and gels:

3= 3 ounce (100 ml) or smaller containers of liquids or gels
1= 1quart-size (1 liter) clear plastic, zip-top bag to hold the 3 ounce containers
1= 1 bag only per traveler placed in the security bin for screening.

Travel with only your essential cosmetics and toiletries in travel/sample sizes of 3 ounces or less, tucked into the quart zip-top bag. If you need larger quantities for a longer trip, pack unbreakable containers in your checked luggage, carefully enclosed in sturdy zip-top bags to prevent leaking.

The Problem: Flights are cancelled and travelers must overnight at the airport or at a nearby hotel

1. Pack a carry-on bag containing everything that simply cannot be lived without for a day. If checking luggage, at least carry-on the necessities of life and work including:
• All travel documents
• Computer and cell phone and chargers
• Partial change of clothing
• All medications
• Important work papers
• A light jacket, gloves and hat — you never know what the weather will be like in the city where you are stuck.

2. Carry all airline phone numbers (or program them into your cell phone) and frequent flyer info. Never just stand in a customer service line with every other passenger on your flight, waiting to be rebooked when a flight is cancelled. Go to the rebooking counter line but immediately call your airline and get rebooked by phone. Not everyone will be conveniently accommodated, so act quickly. Standing in line allows you to possibly retrieve your luggage or to pick up food/hotel vouchers, and to hear verbal updates.

3. If you are a member of hotel frequent guest programs, pack the toll free phone numbers (or program them into your cell phone) so that you can be one of the lucky travelers to score a hotel room before they are sold out. Carry account information with you, as frequent guests may receive priority.

These simple steps can mean the difference between total frustration and just minor inconvenience the next time you fly. For other smart packing and travel tips, visit www.smartpacking.com.

For other useful packing tips and helpful articles visit www.smartpacking.com.

Revised 2008

2007 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, PO Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298, Susan@smartpacking.com

Save $$ on summer travel - pack light!

Want to save at least $100 on summer air travel? “Learn to pack light!” says packing expert Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler (www.smartpacking.com).

Checking overweight bags or too many bags can add up to major charges – due before you proceed to the gate. Exceed the 50 pound maximum per bag allowed by most airlines for domestic travel and you will be charged up to $100 each way; try to check more than one bag per ticketed passenger and the typical fee is $100 per bag, each way. Try to carry on too many bags or too large a bag and you may be forced to check it, thereby putting you over the limit. Oversized bags will also incur a fee – it will cost you $100 each way for any bag that measures over 62” based on linear measurement of length + width + depth. Call your airline or check their website for specifics, as rules differ from one airline to another..

Foster offers these four tips to avoid any costly add-ons:

1. Plan ahead to so you pack exactly what you need and nothing extra. Go to http://www.smartpacking.com/index.php?cat_id=5388 for tips to pack less.
2. Measure your suitcase(s) before packing. The larger the bag, the more weight it will hold, putting you at risk for the oversized and overweight fee added together.
3. Pack at least a day in advance so you have time to edit down and still have what you need and want.
4. Weigh each packed bag on your bathroom scale before leaving for the airport and lighten the load to less than 50 pounds (you do want to leave room to bring home treasures, don’t you?).

Are you planning to travel internationally?

Check with all airlines you plan to fly. Americans often choose a domestic carrier (United, Delta, American, etc) to Europe and regional discount airlines to fly between European cities. Domestic airlines flying to an international destination generally allow two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each, but discount airlines flying within Europe allow only 33 to 44 pounds total per person (again, rules differ) for all checked luggage. And some airlines now charge a fee to check any luggage. You may carry on an additional piece weighing from 13 to 22 pounds. Excess baggage fees can cost as much as $10.90 per pound!

For shocking example, do the math...

100 pounds (2 bags @ 50 lbs each as allowed from US)
-33 pounds (maximum allowed by some European discount airlines)
67 pounds excess baggage

Total fee: 67 overweight pounds x $10.90/pound = $730.30 for excess luggage and that is for one way!

Starting to get the picture? Traveling with too much luggage is a burden and it can cost a fortune. Pare down and enjoy the freedom that comes from traveling light, and save those baggage fees to spend enjoying your destination.

By following these simple tips, you can save money during this summer’s air travel and save back strain, too.

See http://www.smartpackinglcom for more family packing and airport tips.

Revised 2008

© 2007 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, PO Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298, Susan@smartpacking.com

Suitcase diet - 3 simple steps to packing light

Diets are everywhere, often giving conflicting advice—who should we believe? Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today's Traveler, is the foremost expert to consult when suitcase slimming is needed, and this is becoming a necessity for air travel. Some airlines are diligently enforcing weight and size limitations that are still catching travelers by surprise. And even when air travel is not the issue, it is simply easier to travel with a lighter load.

The suitcase slimming process often takes place at the airline check-in counter. As the unknowing traveler is informed that a bag weighs over 50 pounds and the fee is $100 per direction, the frantic shift begins to move items from one bag to another—to pockets and purse—to redistribute the weight. Meanwhile, the plane is boarding, tempers escalating, and likelihood of making the flight decreasing.

Travelers have two choices: decide that the heavy bag contains necessities that are worth paying an additional $100 each way, or weigh the bag and make adjustments at home before leaving for the airport.

Frequent travelers agree that traveling light, without the burden of too many bags, offers the best potential for a flexible and rewarding trip. But when and where should the suitcase slimming process begin? Foster share three simple steps:

1. Plan ahead. Know what activities are planned, what the weather might be, and pack accordingly. Do not get caught up in the "what if's"—what if I'm invited to a formal event—when packing for a casual trip. Call the airline or check their website to learn specific baggage rules (which vary between airlines). Pack at least one day before departure so there is ample time to weigh each bag on a bathroom scale and slim down before leaving home.

2. Take less. Pack versatile clothes that can be worn several times in different combinations, such as a dark blazer worn for travel that can also be teamed with jeans or dressed up for dinner. Savvy travelers know the amount of clothing packed has little to do with the length of the trip—seven changes of underwear will work for a month with a laundry stop at a coin-operated laundry each week. Better yet, pack only three changes (one to wear, one to wash, and a spare) made of comfortable, quick drying wicking fabric that can be quickly washed in the hotel room sink. Take no more than three pair of shoes—wear one pair and pack two.

3. Lose weight. The heaviest items are often cosmetics and toiletries. Buy travel sizes or transfer only the amount needed to small containers. Invest in a wash and wear haircut and leave heavy hair appliances at home. Mail heavy paper items such as guidebooks, brochures, or convention materials home at regular intervals.

Don't lose more weight than planned. Keep sticky fingers out of a bag by using the new Travel Sentry™ Certified Locks or Safe Skies Luggage Locks (available in travel and luggage stores and catalogs). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has approved these innovative combination locks that are set by the owner but can be opened by the TSA with a universal key when manual inspection of the bag contents is needed.

Smart packers know that it is possible to live happily for months out of a small duffel bag. The choice is yours. Attempt to pack the entire contents of a closet into 5 bags, or diet wisely and travel independently with just what is needed.

Revised 2008

© 2007 Susan Foster, Smart Travel Press, PO Box 25514, Portland, OR 97298, Susan@smartpacking.com