The Eyjafjallajökull eruption and the ensuing flight-grounding chaos demonstrates at least one thing: A one-bag travel strategy is the ticket for travel survival. I wasn’t stranded in Heathrow but if I had been, here are the one-bag benefits I would have reaped:
- Airport camping made easy - How many pieces luggage would I have had to keep up with? Let’s review the math: one, meaning I could loop the strap around my torso as I fitfully snoozed on some vinyl bench with no worry of someone rolling away all my possessions. I’d need a much smaller piece of lounge real estate as well. Laundry might be more problematic. Sure you could wash in the bathroom sinks; finding a place to hang-dry your undershirts might be tough in Terminal 5 - no, there’s always the hot air hand dryers!
- Fleeing the airport made easy - I pity those who have to board a tube or train from Heathrow with a large load of luggage. Heading into the city is a breeze if it all rides on your shoulder or back. Big bags tempt the traveler to spring for an expensive cab ride, and remember we’re stranded in Heathrow and running out of money.
- Hotel shopping made easy - OK, so you’re back in London still stranded and trying not to become penniless. You can kill time by doing cheap museum sightseeing (mostly free) and keep your luggage with you. You can shop for a hotel instead of taking the first available. You can bounce from one to another from night to night based on rates and availability. It’s less hassle since you have one light bag. No lockers or daytime storage required.
- Escaping the island - It goes without saying that hopping a train, boat, or whatever for your ultimate escape will be that much easier with one bag. Aren’t you glad you thought of it?
Let’s face it - most people consider one-bagging a form of roughing it. If that’s so, who’s better prepared for being marooned by a volcano?
Frank@OBOW