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