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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Downsize packing for carry-on bags

With more airlines charging for checked luggage, here are some tips for travelers

By Jaclyn Giovis South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Packing for a vacation or business trip can be a hassle. And more than ever, travelers are rewarded if they can stuff all their belongings into carry-on bags.

Airlines such as American, US Airways and United have started charging passengers $15 each way for the first checked piece of luggage in an effort to offset soaring fuel costs.

If each person in a family of four checks a bag, that can add up to $120 – nearly the price of another round-trip airline ticket.

Travel pros say there are ways passengers can avoid airline baggage fees and jet off with a single carry-on, but it will take some sacrifice.

“Don’t even think for a nanosecond that you’re going to wear a different outfit for every single solitary day,” says Susan Foster, author of “Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler.”

It also helps to know the carry-on rules of each airline you plan to fly – because they’re all different – and to limit toiletries and shoes, which are heavy and take up a lot of precious space.

Fees for first and second bags have already kicked in at American, US Airways and United, which on Monday began charging the fee for flights booked on June 13 or later. Northwest is scheduled to follow suit at the end of August.

Competitors Delta and JetBlue charge only for the second bag. Southwest Airlines still allows passengers to check two bags for free, and is quickly becoming a favorite for frequent fliers.

Still, some people are paying the fees instead of fretting over what to pack.

Henry and Mary Resnick of Boca Raton, Fla., each checked large suitcases on their recent American Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco.

“Of course I mind paying the fee,” Henry Resnick says. “But when you go away for two weeks, what else are you going to do? There’s no way we could pack everything in a carry-on.”

Most major airlines only allow carry-on bags that total 45 linear inches (length plus width plus height), which Resnick and others say makes it impossible to travel comfortably.

Brad Till of Boca Raton rolls T-shirts and other clothing items, then places them in resealable plastic compression bags to more than double the packing space.

“It saved me some space in case I need to bring something back,” Till says. “And at least it keeps your stuff from going all over the place if they search your bag.”

Such items are becoming mainstream at airports. Space Bag, a San Diego-based product manufacturer, sells its plastic travel bags at Target and other major retail stores.

Travel-niche retailers are developing their own plastic space savers. L.L. Bean, for example, sells a two-pack of plastic travel bags for $15 and a three-pack of ultralight clothing organizers that zip up and have a mesh top for $29.

“There’s no question that packing aids have picked up in sales as the airlines have imposed new hurdles and fees,” says John Bartholomew, product lines manager for L.L. Bean. “The accessories part of our travel business has really grown at a faster rate than the rest of our business.”

Here are more carry-on tips:

Use a lightweight, compact bag: Choose a “lightweight” carry-on with wheels that weighs about five or six pounds as opposed to a more traditional carry-on, which weighs between 10 and 12 pounds, says Bartholomew.

“Four or five pounds doesn’t sound like a lot but, boy, it makes a big amount of difference when you’re trying to fit it into an overhead compartment,” he says.

Duffel bags that have wheels are another option and are often easier to fit into aircraft bins.

Streamline the wardrobe: That means sticking to essentials, mixing-and-matching clothes around neutral colors, and doing some laundry away from home. Layer or wear heavy clothes on the plane.

Foster suggests traveling with fast-drying clothes made of a wicking fabric that can be washed out in a hotel sink and hung to dry overnight, making them great for any length of travel. (Fashion-conscious travelers can add flair with light, easy-to-pack accessories such as scarves, belts and costume jewelry, she says.)

Cut down on toiletries and makeup: Hotels provide basic items like soap and shampoo, so forgo those items or pack travel-size essentials. Another option is to buy toiletries at your travel destination and leave them behind. Consider cosmetics that serve a dual function, such as powder that can be applied as a foundation or moisturizer with sunscreen.

Choose your shoes wisely: Only take two pair plus what you wear on the plane. Shoes take up space and will weigh down the bag. Pack them at the bottom of your carry-on or along the sides, and stuff socks, underwear, ties or belts inside to maximize roominess, Foster says.

Roll your clothes and separate items with resealable plastic bags: This will keep items wrinkle-free and compact to make room for other items. The bags can be used later on to separate dirty clothes from clean ones. For clothing that is better folded, limit the number of folds to keep items thinner in your suitcase.

Take one guidebook, not five: Or, better yet, make copies of pages you find interesting and take those instead. Books are heavy.

Leave room for souvenirs or gifts: Other options including shipping or packing a small, foldable duffel bag that can function as your onboard personal item.