Packing for a trip over seas.

braxton357 said:
Y'all worry about bag size,liquid sizes, pocket knives, carrying shit 2 miles through an airport then trying to find a place to stow it, and I'll enjoy knowing it's going to take me 10 minutes longer to leave the airport.
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and then get totally fucked when it doesn't make the right plane or misses a connection.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
50 people involved. A lot of them Highschool age. So the hassle of that many travelers on the same schedule checking bags sounds like a disaster. And if like my wife's training trip connector flights within Europe and possibly the US
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No freaking way in hell you're going to get 50 teenagers on a European 2 week trip w/o checking bags.
And if half of them do it, you might as well have everyone do it bc the time savings will be minimal.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
50 people involved. A lot of them Highschool age. So the hassle of that many travelers on the same schedule checking bags sounds like a disaster. And if like my wife's training trip connector flights within Europe and possibly the US
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Well this changes things. Alot.
RatLabGuy said:
No freaking way in hell you're going to get 50 teenagers on a European 2 week trip w/o checking bags.
And if half of them do it, you might as well have everyone do it bc the time savings will be minimal.
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Basically this. I thought we were talking about Andrew going on a trip. We are talking about a group of 50 going on a trip. Kids or not, half of them will check bags, and the whole group will be subject to the check-in and redirects and baggage claim issues. I did similar trips with People-to-People and Education First when I was in high school. It was a blast, but nothing easy or fast about moving such a group.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Well this changes things. Alot.

Basically this. I thought we were talking about Andrew going on a trip. We are talking about a group of 50 going on a trip. Kids or not, half of them will check bags, and the whole group will be subject to the check-in and redirects and baggage claim issues. I did similar trips with People-to-People and Education First when I was in high school. It was a blast, but nothing easy or fast about moving such a group.
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The more I think about it, you really SHOULD check your bags and give up on any kind of time savings and efficiency. Like go ahead and get into this mindset right now that its only about the kids having a good time, and it will be a lesson in patience.

If you strive to be fast and efficient, then you're only going to be frustrated and irritated when everyone else isn't. Groups like this only move at the speed of the slowest person... your goal is just to not be that guy and try and gently help that guy along.
 
Bebop said:
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK THAT
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I'm going against my will.....husbands duty sorta thing....mostly I want to be with my wife because my head goes to very bad places.

Edit: sounds kinda harsh with the first sentence. I can think of a hundred things I'd enjoy more. I can also figure never to have this opportunity again. My biggest reason is still I'd rather be with my spouse should SHTF.
 
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WARRIORWELDING said:
50 people involved. A lot of them Highschool age. So the hassle of that many travelers on the same schedule checking bags sounds like a disaster. And if like my wife's training trip connector flights within Europe and possibly the US
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:edit: I thought you were calling airline baggage handlers high school kids and you aren't wrong. After re reading I also agree with "fuck that" and would make sure everyone was on board with carry on only

RatLabGuy said:
and then get totally fucked when it doesn't make the right plane or misses a connection.
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Out of a couple hundred flights including international I can remember one time during a blizzard I didn't get my bag and it was delivered the next day, it's really a non issue. Especially considering I don't have to spend an hour figuring out how to tetris pack my bag as light as possible, can take a knife and pistol just as easily, bring liquor back, or drag a bag around the airport.

International flights are a different story if flying local, but I will still check luggage going overseas.

I think there is a lot of speculation on what might happen to your luggage in this thread vs people who have actually had those things happen.
 
braxton357 said:
:edit: I thought you were calling airline baggage handlers high school kids and you aren't wrong. After re reading I also agree with "fuck that" and would make sure everyone was on board with carry on only


Out of a couple hundred flights including international I can remember one time during a blizzard I didn't get my bag and it was delivered the next day, it's really a non issue. Especially considering I don't have to spend an hour figuring out how to tetris pack my bag as light as possible, can take a knife and pistol just as easily, bring liquor back, or drag a bag around the airport.

International flights are a different story if flying local, but I will still check luggage going overseas.

I think there is a lot of speculation on what might happen to your luggage in this thread vs people who have actually had those things happen.
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I decided to add the age bracket after reading several opinions........I knew that detail would change some perspectives. Mentally I'm afraid I'll be quoting @Bebop many times on the duration and seeking privacy and alcohol in the late evenings.
 
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RatLabGuy said:
The more I think about it, you really SHOULD check your bags and give up on any kind of time savings and efficiency. Like go ahead and get into this mindset right now that its only about the kids having a good time, and it will be a lesson in patience.

If you strive to be fast and efficient, then you're only going to be frustrated and irritated when everyone else isn't. Groups like this only move at the speed of the slowest person... your goal is just to not be that guy and try and gently help that guy along.
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It could also be a lesson in "stuff weighs you down" for the 'kids,' a lesson it took me entirely too long to learn. I'm still a 'just in case' packer but, considering our entourage, it's more like first aid and comfort stuff. We legit packed for 6 people for 10 days in 5 backpacks, plus my Kavu sling bag as a personal item, in early March. Summer in the Med should be way fewer layers. :lol:
 
If you have an apple phone, I suggest sticking an airtag in each of your bags, in a place where it likely wont be removed if they inspect it. If your bag gets lost, you can figure out where it is alot faster than the airline. Doesnt mean itll get back to you faster, but sometimes people actually want to help you get them back.

As said, everyone else will check huge luggage, unless your travel agent/guide tells them they cant. I would likely still try to carry on most of my clothes, and leave space in my checked bag to put souvenirs in. We have also purchased cheap luggage in another country to put stuff in and check on the way home.
 
braxton357 said:
I think there is a lot of speculation on what might happen to your luggage in this thread vs people who have actually had those things happen.
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One of my favorite memorable quotes I've heard in life was during one of the MULTIPLE times that my bag was lost.

1) If you decide to check a bag (not a bad idea), make sure you still have 2 undies and 2 pairs of socks in your carry on so you can survive for 2 more days if your checked bag gets lost.

2) Story time!
Mid 2014 I'm flying to Louisville, KY from Lyon, France.
As I landed, I make my way to the carousel and after 30mn of sad looking out for my checked bag, I realize the damn thing isn't here.
Problem: It's 1.30am here. Nobody is around.
I make my way around the airport (not too big thankfully) and ask around until finally I'm pointed to a random counter.
There is nobody there but I can see a door cracked open with some light coming out of an office.
So I jump behind the counter, and proceed down the corridor.
Get there, knock on the door and peek inside.
Reclined on a chair, feet on the desk, is the most flamboyant gay guy I've ever seen. Pink hair, eyeliner, nail polish, the works.
He notices me, smiles and asks what's my business.
I'm not prejudiced and really need my fucking bad so I open the door and explain my problem.
Guy listens, promptly straightens up (lol) and taps on the desk and tell me to give him my passport, flight ticket and the baggage receipt.
I do so.
He starts typing on his computer...
I'm waiting.
Types some more...
I'm waiting.
Then he laughs. And proceeds to explain : "It seems like your bag made it to the tarmac during your layover in Paris, then half-way through loading, the ground crew went on strike and didn't load like half the plane"
I chuckle, cause I'm used to shit like this...

Then he goes: "ahhhhh the French... beautiful people... beautiful language... but the organization... ahhhhh... sometimes, you know.... you'd wish the Germans would have stayed!"
All this while holding my French passport.

Anyway, I got my bag 24h later and they delivered it to my residence at 9.something pm.

Fucking Delta...
 
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Screw that. This is vacation. Why be saddled with the concern. Check the bag and carry nothing. Carrying nothing while flying is so much better.

Best flight I ever had was the clothes on my back, phone, wallet and passport in my pocket. No bags. Granted it was a day trip from London to Hamburg, but it was so very liberating.
 
simpleman01 said:
Don't forget REAL ID, I think they're finally enforcing it now. Not sure if you can fly with regular ID + passport?
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obullfish said:
You can get on any flight with a valid passport.
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I've just read up on this. With a passport CARD and no REAL ID, you can fly domestically (and land and sea travel to canada, mexico, caribbean). With a full passport, you can fly internationally, REAL ID not required. REAL ID is a state thing, Passports are federal and they don't care about REAL ID.
 
braxton357 said:
I think there is a lot of speculation on what might happen to your luggage in this thread vs people who have actually had those things happen.
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I'm not sure I am "hundreds" of flights, but I'm definitely closer to 200 than 100.

1) Flying from Vegas home to charlotte. Weather delay, flight cancelled, re-booked - My bags spent time in Chicago, San Diego and Ontario before making it to Charleston SC where they were delivered.
2) Flying from Charlotte to Chicago Midway. Direct. AA still doesnt know where my bag is. Think that was 2017ish.
3) Flying from CLT - to Dallas. One bag made it one didn't. Shittiest part was I was presenting at EGSA. I gave a 45 minute presentation in a suit that cost more than Im willing to admit all while wearing a pair of worn out brown docksiders. I just started the presentation with the story, got a laugh and called back to those brown shoes about 4 times during the talk.
 
Ron said:
I'm not sure I am "hundreds" of flights, but I'm definitely closer to 200 than 100.

1) Flying from Vegas home to charlotte. Weather delay, flight cancelled, re-booked - My bags spent time in Chicago, San Diego and Ontario before making it to Charleston SC where they were delivered.
2) Flying from Charlotte to Chicago Midway. Direct. AA still doesnt know where my bag is. Think that was 2017ish.
3) Flying from CLT - to Dallas. One bag made it one didn't. Shittiest part was I was presenting at EGSA. I gave a 45 minute presentation in a suit that cost more than Im willing to admit all while wearing a pair of worn out brown docksiders. I just started the presentation with the story, got a laugh and called back to those brown shoes about 4 times during the talk.
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Only fly AA for the last probably 8 yrs, I assumed a lot of these stories were from Delta flights, surprised you had that happen on American. Sometimes I have to bring tools so checked luggage is mandatory and maybe it's a person to person thing but I find it way more stressful to try and carry on luggage.

Anyway, @WARRIORWELDING , what is the trip going to be?
 
braxton357 said:
Only fly AA for the last probably 8 yrs, I assumed a lot of these stories were from Delta flights, surprised you had that happen on American. Sometimes I have to bring tools so checked luggage is mandatory and maybe it's a person to person thing but I find it way more stressful to try and carry on luggage.

Anyway, @WARRIORWELDING , what is the trip going to be?
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Highschool based trip. Wife's a teacher. I'm one of the "other" adult chaperones.
 
kaiser715 said:
I've just read up on this. With a passport CARD and no REAL ID, you can fly domestically (and land and sea travel to canada, mexico, caribbean). With a full passport, you can fly internationally, REAL ID not required. REAL ID is a state thing, Passports are federal and they don't care about REAL ID.
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A few years back I had some clearly uneducated lady at the baggage check-in counter try to tell me that I could not accept my passport card and she needed to see my DL. After putting up with her stupidity I got in the security line and used my passport card the rest of the way and back. The TSA much rather see a passport card or a passport than a domestic state-issued DL.

I never bothered with the REAL ID crap since I have had passports for over 20 years now. I got my kid one at 18 months old. Anything else is too much of a hassle.
 
VortecJeep said:
Use vacuum bags or ziplock bags to compress your clothes smaller.
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My wife introduced me to the spacebags for travel. We pack everything, vacuum that sucker down, and fit everything and more. Used it for a trip to Europe years back. Highly recommend this method for checked or carry-on.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Highschool based trip. Wife's a teacher. I'm one of the "other" adult chaperones.
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Could honestly be a fun trip then. They don't know you at all so you could be the dickhead or the cool guy or the weird ass always talks about weld prep and line boring guy. Bring some shades and only one change of clothes and just be mysterious the whole time
 
braxton357 said:
Could honestly be a fun trip then. They don't know you at all so you could be the dickhead or the cool guy or the weird ass always talks about weld prep and line boring guy. Bring some shades and only one change of clothes and just be mysterious the whole time
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šŸ˜‚ You almost had me covered!
 
simpleman01 said:
Don't forget REAL ID, I think they're finally enforcing it now. Not sure if you can fly with regular ID + passport?
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If you need to get a real id, you can use a passport as your means of identification.
 
OnlyOneDR said:
My wife introduced me to the spacebags for travel. We pack everything, vacuum that sucker down, and fit everything and more. Used it for a trip to Europe years back. Highly recommend this method for checked or carry-on.
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Don't you have to take the vacuum with you to repack when you come home?

Does the space saving exceed what's taken up by that vacuum?

I can see it for a big checked bag but not carry on.
 
braxton357 said:
Funny I never take a carry on no matter how short the trip. Screw all the stress and hassle of trying to bring a bag on the plane-- especially for a two week trip--not to mention if you end up buying anything. Also the small euro airlines if you're flying country to country are a lot more strict about carryon dimensions.

Y'all worry about bag size,liquid sizes, pocket knives, carrying shit 2 miles through an airport then trying to find a place to stow it, and I'll enjoy knowing it's going to take me 10 minutes longer to leave the airport.
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Me too, but there is only one real reason to check a bag...and it won't fly on international flights or communist states,
 
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