Archive for June, 2008

Author—Sal Dhanani – Co-Founder and Sr. Director of Marketing

I travel constantly for work and am always looking for better and more efficient ways to pack – whether it’s for the week or just an overnighter. Now that airlines are charging for extra bags, it’s even more important to make sure you keep your load light if you can.

Here are a few tips I’ve come up with during my years of frequent travel.

1. Don’t bring your own toiletries – It’s probably easier for guys to follow this rule but it’s pretty standard now for hotels to have shampoo and some of the basics. You don’t even need to bring travel size anymore. It might be worth even calling ahead to find out if they have emergency packs of things like toothbrushes, toothpaste and razors. Many do this now in case you forget yours.
2. Check the weather where you’re headed – It’s not worth bringing a sweater and a jacket if it’s going to be mostly warm. You will only need one, if you need any.
3. Choose shoes that will go with everything – Don’t bring brown shoes and black shoes and running shoes, etc. Just choose one pair that will work with everything. Find a pair that are comfortable for long-term wear and can be used with business or casual attire. Think you may have some down time? Choose some flexible flip-flops that take up minimal space.
4. Invest in portable technology – If you haven’t already, find a smartphone that allows you to travel on short trips without bringing your laptop. Choose one that has a built-in camera, mp3 player and GPS navigation and you have your "all-in-one" device.
5. Wear your "bulky" clothes and shoes on the plane – This will save room in your suitcase.
6. Pick the right bag – Now is a good time to take a look at the bag you’ve been using for years and determine if it’s still your best friend. Pick a bag that’s lightweight, can carry all of your things and won’t break your back. Rollers are good if you are prone to larger bags. Be sure to check your airline’s rules for dimensions as they are monitoring checked bag size now more than ever.
7. Buy reading material at the airport or borrow from a travel companion – Don’t bring magazines, papers, books from home (especially hard cover books). Just plan on picking something up at the airport. It’s pretty easy to find a newspaper left behind by an earlier passenger. If you do bring a book, bring one you don’t mind donating or leaving behind. That’s one less thing you have to worry about on the way home.
8. Roll your clothes instead of folding them – This way of packing will create more room for other things.
9. Use hotel dry cleaning for long trips – That way you only have to pack for half the time. Some companies even provide this as a perk for frequent business travelers – check with your boss to see if yours will. If you are adventurous and have time, you could also look for a nearby laundromat.
10. Send stuff home ahead of you – This is also great for long trips. It may only cost you a few bucks to mail home clothes, books, gifts for your kids, etc. before you get on the plane to come home. This will be much cheaper than paying for an extra or overweight bag.

What other tips have helped you minimize your travel load?