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The Packing Book
Book

The Packing Book

Secrets of the Carry-On Traveler

Judith Gilford
Ten Speed Press, 2006
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

First, decide you’re ready to travel hassle-free (or as close to it as possible). Next, visualize your perfect carry-on travel wardrobe. Author and packing expert Judith Gilford makes it all a breeze in this readable, oddly interesting handbook. She includes specific lists to jumpstart your thinking about packing for business, vacation and special itineraries – adventure, business or cruise travel, for instance. She offers great tips, from how to pack a layered bundle to keep your clothes wrinkle-free to the best practices for stain removal. getAbstract recommends her guidelines if you want to be able to travel light and still have everything you need upon arrival.

Summary

Size Matters

With airline cost-cutting measures and heightened airport security, travel has become increasingly difficult. Luggage now travels through more hands than ever before, increasing your chances of losing a bag – just as some airlines have excluded common valuables from liability coverage. Traveling light saves you time and grief, and it lets you protect your belongings.

If you want your bag to fit under the seat, its total dimension – adding length, width and depth – should be no more than 45 inches. Some airlines have a smaller maximum depth, but anything more than 10 inches will be too large to fit under the seat or in the overhead bins. A bag 22 inches long is usually acceptable on even the strictest flights, and some airlines might allow overhead baggage up to 60 inches in total dimension. These size considerations generally matter more than the number of bags you carry on, but check your airline’s carry-on rules. Many items that used to be permitted are now prohibited, including anything with fuel in it, matches and radios.

Corporate travelers often rely on garment bags for business suits. Some of these bags can hold up to 10 articles on hangers...

About the Author

Judith Gilford is well-known for her packing tips. She travels extensively giving workshops on packing. She co-owns the Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore in San Jose, California.

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