packing advice

[erica_1020]

I will be going on a 4day 4 night work trip soon. I plan to take 1 checked bag, 1 carry on with wheels and 1 large Coach (diaper bag style) carry on as a personal bag. I feel this is a bit much, but don't want to check my makeup. Also I am going between packing toiletries separate from makeup (usually don't, I don't fly much) so I don't have to worry about regulations or go ahead and buy small sizes and transfer items to fit in my train case which will be in one of my carry ons. Blah Blah here is what I need

1. would you take 2 carry on sized items and 1 checked? Or try to keep it to 1 checked and 1 carry on

2. Pack toiletries together with makeup or separate?

3. Dress is business casual so, what clothing items would you take? I'm also going to try to workout 2 of the 4 days I'm there and everything I read says wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane, but I don't want to

 

[pop violet]

Do you have any stops? If I have a flight with any stops I try to travel as light as possible and check everything I possibly can. It's so annoying having to go to the bathroom or grab something to eat with 2 carry-ons to look after. But if you have a direct flight, either should work for you.

It depends what kind of business it is and who you're meeting with, I think. I work in insurance and am around a bunch of IT geeks so it's usually just slacks and a nice top (form fitting button down or sweater -- it's still pretty cold here). As far as bulkiest shoes.. I would honestly dress for comfort and wear some REALLY comfortable shoes.. especially if you're going to be lugging around two carry ons, lol!

I hope I helped but I probably didn't. Have fun on your business trip! It's always fun to travel on the company's dime.

 

[purrtykitty]

Depending on what you need to take, I'd try to avoid checking any luggage. If you plan your outfits carefully, you should be able to fit everything into the rolling bag.

If that's not possible, I'd definitely make sure you have one set of work clothes in your carry-on. That way, if your luggage gets lost, you won't be completely without.

 

[melozburngr]

like purrtykitty said, you should probably be able to pack everything in a carry-on bag for that amount of time. How much makeup are you taking with you? Just take the bare essentials and a 4 pan or whatever with the shadows that you know you'll want to use, that ought to cut down on luggage. Instad of bringing full-sized toiletries, bring travel sized ones, even if you have to make your own.

I'm going ton a 10-day trip, which includes 2 party nights out and a wedding in MI where it is cold still, and I'm bringing the same amount of luggage you're thinking about bringing.

 

[L1LMAMAJ]

i like having as little in my carry on bag as possible cuz that's the one i need to lug onto the airplane myself! i guess i'm lazy. i only carry valuables (purse with money, cell phone) and essentials on board. don't forget about the 3 oz rule for liquids on board. also i recommend just checking in most of your stuff because planes can have very little space to store your bag so it'll be a pain to stuff into those tiny overhead bins. however, depending on the airport you are flying into, some places take forever to bring the bags out onto the carousel. one time i waited like 45 minutes for mine to come out. when i fly into sfo, my bag is sitting on the carousel waiting for me before i even get to the carousel.

 

[kaliraksha]

I've learned to not let packing stress you out too much. I don't have a problem with checking luggage... I enjoy the time it takes to wait for it because I calm down from the flight, observe people, get paperwork for hotel in order, and sometimes it helps build excitement. Sometimes it stresses you out less to check a bag.

Trust me, there is always going to be someone that packed more than you and someone who packed less than you. As long as you have no problems dealing/carrying your luggage between the airport and your home/hotel it's not that big of a deal. You probably won't need to deal with it at any other point in time, taxi drivers and bell boys are usually eager to help.

As for forgetting stuff, I use to be anal about this, but have learned to let it go... there is hardly anything I can forget that is that important or can't be bought in the hotel lobby or a convenience store.

As for clothes, well the only solution for me would be to bring a few alternate outfits. For make up bag/ hygenic products... I tend to pack those in many ziploc bags and place them between my clothes for cushioning.