Do you need a fake wallet?

Maybe a fake wallet could save your trip:

Your grocery store club card: Don’t leave home without it.

That’s my advice as a frequent visitor to places far off the beaten path. My Safeway card, along with a couple of other innocuous buyers’ club cards, helped save the day on my last trip to sub-Saharan Africa. These, plus a fistful of four- and five-figure bills of nearly valueless currencies from places like Vietnam and Ghana. This stuff pads out the “throwaway wallet” I use to create a diversionary hip pocket bulge when I travel in dodgy areas. -  OttawaCitizen.com

Business bundle

Practical Hacks has an excellent post on one-bag business travel with a helpful illustration of bundle wrapping: 

Cold-weather onebagger

Can you one-bag for a cold-weather hiking trip? Graham says you can:

Travelling light is growing in popularity, especially using a single bag which qualifies as airline carry-on luggage. But is travelling this light really practical for a winter trip needing bulky warm clothing and hiking gear? To find out, I took up the challenge on a recent trip to Tasmania…

Having found that cold weather budget travel can be done with one lightweight carry-on bag, I don’t think I could go back to carrying heavy loads … unless I needed special gear like camping equipment or snowshoes. Besides the practical benefits, it felt liberating to travel with such a small load and yet still have with me everything I really needed. - (see his packing list)

flerdle's one-bag adventure

OBOW reader flerdle went one-bag for one month in Europe and here account read likes a textbook for the novice light traveler. Enjoy:

One month, five countries, one bag: Europe!

(flerdle’s one bag adventure)

I live in Australia, which is a long, long way from just about anywhere (except New Zealand), so when the opportunity to attend a conference in Lausanne, Switzerland arose for mid July, I decided to combine work and play, extend my stay to a whole month, and see how I went traveling as lightly as possible.

I was also recovering from recent major shoulder surgery, so traveling light was an absolute necessity.

Verdict: it certainly worked for me, and I would not hesitate to travel this way again.

I would like to echo John’s comment on a recent thread: “Pack the right gear, get the high-tech, lightweight, quick drying gear, and pack right”. I got an MEI Voyageur, a Rick Steves Civitas daypack, an Asus EeePC, three pairs of light pants from Ex-Officio, and went from there. A complete (women’s) packing list is at the end of this post, with a photo of it all. Yes, despite how it looks all spread out it all fitted in the bag, with room to spare. I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything.

MEI VOYAGEUR If anything, the Voyageur is possibly a little too big if you are trying to keep the weight down, which is vitally important on international flights because the limit is usually 7kg (15.5lb) and you will get asked to check it if it is too heavy. They will weigh your cabin (carry-on) baggage when you check in. The dimensions were never a problem but it is tempting to overpack for weight, and a smaller bag might have been sufficient. I chose the Voyageur because it has the best harness system and allowed me to carry the full bag over long distances using the substantial hip belt and one shoulder strap (because of my shoulder problem).

I had very little trouble getting it onto the plane, despite the initial “huh?” from the check-in person – it appears that traveling without check-in luggage is still rare on the Kangaroo Route (Australia to Europe). I had to put my iPod, phone,GPS unit and note/phrase/guidebooks into my pockets, wear my fuzzy vest and jacket and hold my computer and liquid baggy in my hand and that brought the bag down to the magical “just under 8kg” (17-18lb) that they let through.

Of course I put it all back in my bag as soon as I got through security, and carried the bag casually slung behind me (on additional shoulder strap) onto the plane. On the plane I transferred a few essentials to the daypack and used it for the approx 23 hours of flying time from Melbourne to Zurich.

Actually, and this is perhaps something to be aware of, the lack of a check-in bag possibly caused a few odd moments in the transfer from Cathay to Swiss in Hong Kong. They had a very close look at my boarding pass which got flagged/rejected at the transfer gate (there was no double seat allocation or other issue), and they asked about bags, both at the gate and later on the plane. It might have been something else in their system, but I doubt it; I was not the only passenger transferring at that point but I was the only one questioned, and I never have been before. The only difference I could see was the lack of checked luggage. The return flight was uneventful.

I spent almost a week in each of Switzerland, France, England and Sweden, with a couple of days in Amsterdam at the end. I stayed in 1-star to 3-star hotels and with friends. I flew from Paris CDG to East Midlands (BMI baby) and Heathrow T5 to Arlanda (British Airways) and Arlanda to Schiphol (SAS), with trains elsewhere. I always tended to check in reasonably early. I am not sure how staff’s attitude changes as the lines get longer and the pressure up, but I never had to check in a bag.

About half of the time I was able to wash clothes in the normal way since I was staying with friends, and the rest of the trip I hand washed every day or two. I had no trouble with things drying in at most a day (despite taking cotton smalls anyway) but be aware this might not be the case in winter. Synthetic or specialist underwear might be good, if you can find it in your size. It is most important to be comfortable, and work around that.

Most of the time I could have been quite casual but the conference required reasonably “good” clothes and this was not difficult even with only several changes of clothes chosen to coordinate properly. The pants from ExOfficio were very light but two of them could pass for more stylish wear, and I had one “good” blouse and some crisp t-shirts. I think I possibly still brought too much “stuff” – I could have left out one t-shirt at least and one entire set of clothes at most – but I chose to spend a little less time washing and more time working/relaxing! The French phrasebook and Amsterdam guide were heavy luxuries but extremely useful and I do not regret taking them. The GPS unit could have been combined with an expensive enough mobile phone, but again, I found it extremely useful. I took photos with my mobile and blogged them for folks at home using the EeePC which lived up to expectations in all respects.

SNACK-SIZED PC Halfway through the trip I sent my second set of shoes, makeup kit, thermal pants and some collected postcards and papers from the conference home by post, but apart from that I used everything I took the whole time. As it was sunnier than I had expected, I did buy a cheap floppy hat after the first week. I mainly used postcards as souvenirs rather than buying trinkets. I was tempted to buy a t-shirt but resisted. I bought a couple of books near the end of the trip as well.

So what could I have left out? Well, the computer is the obvious candidate if I hadn’t have had to work but at 1.25kg for computer and cables it was not that much of a trouble anyway. The sarong I used the least but would have used it more if more traditionally backpacking in which case I would have added a silk sleeping-bag liner. In winter the swimsuit would have been replaced by more thermal underwear. The red fuzzy vest was not used as much as the cardigan, which probably should have been a bit thicker - it was a touch chilly when it was raining. The real killer for weight is actually paper (and technology).

So: do it! It isn’t hard at all.

=====

CLICK FOR FULL-SIZE

Packing list (INCLUDES things worn onto the plane):

3 pr long pants (Ex-Officio 2 x Excursion black and 1 x Nomad khaki)
3 tshirts (2 would probably be sufficient depending on destination, or substitute other blouses)
1 good shirt (black, long sleeve)
1 short sleeve travel shirt (lightweight Columbia #TL6635, colored)
4 undies
4 bras
4 pr socks
swimsuit
sarong
singlet and light very casual elastic-waisted slacks/pajama pants (for sleeping or very casual wear)
fleecy vest
rain/wind jacket (Mountain Designs)
lightweight synthetic cardigan
thongs (i.e. flipflops)
hiking/walking/day shoes (rockports, women’s, walking)
dressier girly shoes (flat)
light thermal underwear (bottom only) OPTIONAL/dependant on season
iPod video 60GB and usb cable including wall adapter
EeePC and power supply
2 plug adapters (uk, europe)
Garmin Etrex Vista CX (GPSr) - for geo-caching and navigation in five countries
mapping software dvd (to be sent home at the earliest opportunity - only taken due to tax reasons)
2 extra AA batteries
mobile phone and charger
usb cable for phone (no bluetooth in eeepc)
2 usb memory sticks
French phrasebook (Collins Gem)
Frommer’s “day by day” guide to Amsterdam (very small but useful – was still working out itinerary)
small spirax notebook, 2 pens
set of 3 thin Moleskine journal/notes
old sudoku book (removing pages as I go!)
moneybelt
wallet
watch
papers (hotel, e-tickets, passport, copies)
In 3-1-1 bag: toothpaste, moisturiser, clothes washing liquid, lipstick, concealer, lip balm, white flower oil*, shower gel, hand sanitiser.lush solid shampoo (combined shampoo/conditioner available) in a tin,solid deodorant
toothbrush
dental floss
small powder compact and blush in small bag
medicines
feminine supplies
pack of bandaids, various sizes
2 small packs tissues
40”x20” very lightweight towel
small facecloth
(*white flower oil is useful for clearing the nose and sinuses on
plane descent. http://www.omnieast.com/health/pfy.htm )
Civitas daypack
collapsable bowl (“Sea to Summit X-bowl”)
forkspoon(“lightmyfire”)
1 litre “playtpus” collapsable water bottle (wanted 500ml but not available)
twisted elastic clothesline with hooks on the ends
3 plastic clothes pegs (good for closing food packets too)
2 inflatable hangers
extra plastic bags (ziplok and others)
universal sink plug
small roll of stickytape (couldn’t find duct tape but sticky tape is great for getting hair and fluff from clothes anyway)
string, rubber bands, twist ties, paper clips, needle, thread, buttons - enough to fit in an “eclipse mints” container
glasses + hard case
sunglasses + soft case
inflatable travel pillow
earplugs (enough for average usage for a month)
lindfold
tiny torch (clip-on LED, $3!)
keyring/bottle opener (shaped like a moose)
small lock with two keys
2 half cubes, 2 quarter cubes, 1 small sack (all eagle creek) – theyadd weight but they certainly make it easier to organise all the bits.
stuffed toy wallaby
MEI Voyageur in Coffee :-)

(Taken this trip but obviously situational!: rehabilitation elastic cord for shoulder exercises squeezy ball for shoulder/arm exercises extra painkillers for shoulder, taking up surprisingly more space than you’d think shoulder exercise instructions on paper.)

Notes:

All up this weighs about 10kg (including jacket but not counting the shirt, pants and shoes worn onto the plane). This is a SUMMER list for this particular trip, and the pants are summer weight (Ex-Officio, each about 250g). I added the thermals – they ended up fairly reduntant - because I had tried the pants out at home and was a bit uncomfortably cold especially when it was windy or under about 15 degrees (celsius). I had found that the weather in Europe can be wet and cold even in summer, depending on latitude and altitude and luck. Thermals can always be worn onto the plane anyway to save weight; I always get cold there! Of course skirts and/or shorts could be substituted for pants; I just don’t wear them. The Excursion Pants in particular can be suitably crisp and dressy, and they come in a reasonable range of sizes. I couldn’t find a decent scarf at home butI definitely would recommend taking one or buying it there. Otherwise dressing things up could be done with either that or some chunky jewelry or a pendant watch, depending on personal style.

Update on August 25, 2008 by Brad

Takeaways from flerdle’s excellent adventure:

• You can always get by with a little less than you think.
  
• Sometimes a max-sized carryon is a little too large.
• One-bag travel is every bit as do-able for females as for the hairy brute.
• Printed material is often one of your heavier line items. (Here’s one way to save weight on guide books)
  

Thanks again for a helpful and thorough report!

The lost art of flying standby

Gadling has an excellent post on the finer points of flying standby - a potentially time-saving approach that requires flexibility and and information. One of the essentials:

”Don’t check luggage. If you can’t confirm a standby seat at the ticket counter, you’ll have to try to get in at the gate. Unfortunately you can’t fly without your luggage (and they won’t move it for you), so you can’t standby if you checked it.”- Grant Martin at gadling.com

"It's you or your bags"

That’s essentially what the pilot of an under-fueled jetliner told his passengers:

Moments before their plane was due to take off, passengers on a flight to Crete were issued with an extraordinary ultimatum.

The captain told them the plane did not have enough fuel to carry all of them and their luggage.

They were told that if they wanted to fly with their bags, 70 passengers out of 151 would have to be booted off. - dailymail.co.uk

In your face?

“Failsafe” facial scanners in the UK:

Facial recognition machines are to be installed at airports to replace passport officers under border control plans announced today.

The machines will scan a travellers’ face to compare them with the images on their biometric passports and open an automated gate when a match is registered.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who unveiled details of the scheme today, claims it will shorten immigration queues and boost border security.  - thisislondon.co.uk

At least it’s unlikely you’ll leave this form of indentification at home.

Regional jet squeeze

Cranky Flier reviewed his ride on the relatively new Embraer 190 hybrid regional jet and found the bins on the smallish side:

“The agent made an announcement that this was one of JetBlue’s “express” aircraft. (I don’t think they call it that, and if anyone over there is reading this, they might not be too happy.) But the point was that the overhead bins were smaller and wouldn’t fit the bags that you can fit on a regular-sized aircraft. I just had a backpack and a garment bag, but my fiancee had a roller that she thought she’d try to fit…

Once onboard, the roller bag did fit, but it only fit sideways and her bag was relatively thin so it barely made it. Unfortunately for my garment bag, the bins were short enough to prevent me from fitting the bag on top of other bags.That wasn’t good.”

Getting gate-checked is no fun. Pushing the luggage size envelope is increasingly unadvisable.

TSA on laptop bags

Here’s the TSA’s official pronouncement and explanation of the “checkpoint-friendly” laptop bag.

An excerpt:

If you intend to use a ‘checkpoint friendly’ laptop bag once they are on the market, make sure to check that:

• Your laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that you can lay flat on the X-ray belt
• There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section
• There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
• There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop
• You have completely unfolded your bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt

Remember, a well designed ‘checkpoint friendly’ bag must be packed appropriately if you intend to leave your laptop in your bag for screening.

TSA is not approving or endorsing any bag design or manufacturer and will only allow laptops to stay in bags through screening if they provide a clear and unobstructed
X-ray image of the laptop.

Update on August 20, 2008 by Brad

TSA “Evolution of Security” blog thread on this subject - don’t miss all the comments…

Cleared for takeoff: The Checkpoint Flyer

Tom Bihn’s checkpoint-friendly laptop bag is ready for takeoff:

Tom & Flyer

“Unique features of the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase include over ten organizational pockets, a back pocket that zips open to accommodate the handle of a roll-aboard, a quick-access boarding pass/map pocket, a molded foam laptop compartment that completely encases the laptop in 8mm-thick closed cell foam, and it’s available in three sizes designed specifically to fit the 13” MacBook and MacBook Air, 15.4” MacBook Pro, and 17” MacBook Pro. Also fits many PC laptops.

The Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase is available for pre-order through the TOM BIHN Web site and ships by late September. $220 USD. Available in three colors.”

Some explanation from the product description:

“The Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase is the result of an intensive, five-month design challenge presented by the TSA (Travel Security Administration): design a bag that allows a traveler to leave a laptop in their bag and still allow TSA checkpoint employees a clear X-ray image of the contents. Previously, the TSA required that all passengers traveling with a laptop computer must remove their laptop from their bag and place it in a bin for screening. To help streamline the security process and better protect your laptop, the TSA sought bags that offer a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening, yet are still protective. A design that meets this objective will enable TSA to allow laptops to remain in bags for screening.”

Update on August 18, 2008 by Brad

And the WSJ surveys the checkpoint-friendly field.

Update on August 18, 2008 by Brad

And friendly skepticism:

A variety of bags bearing the checkpoint-friendly designation are now on the market, but there’s a small problem — that label can be slapped on any old bag even if it doesn’t meet the guidelines. So if you buy such a bag without doing your research, you take the chance of slowing the line and your own progress if the TSA decides to pull your equipment off to the side for a hand inspection. In fact, the TSA reserves the right to do this even if your bag does pass muster. - Good Morning Silicon Valley

Update on August 20, 2008 by Brad

How the Checkpoint Flyer works (probably true of some of the other “friendly” bags:

More on marshmallows

Here’s a re-post on a product that has stood the test of time (and travel):

I understand; you don’t want to spend a $100 (or more) for fancy noise-canceling headphones to make that next flight more serene. You’ll lose them in two months anyway, and serenity is important — but not $100 worth of important. JVC’s Marshmallow earphones are an appealing low-cost alternative for the traveler who just wants to block out a little noise and pipe in a little music which sounds pretty good. These earphones — which will work with any airplane jack, iPod, CD or MP3 player — block the noise with their soft, conformable earpieces (hence - Marshmallow) and deliver pretty good sound and bass response — if you shove them in far enough. They are comfortable, too. Mine were very pleasant on a couple of recent trans-Atlantic flights. Here’s a positive review of these ‘phones (which are available in stores and online from $10-$20) by someone who knows a lot more about audio than I do.

Note: these earphones do not eliminate all the outside noise like muffs or noise-canceling varieties, but their ear-filling qualities do reduce outside noise considerably (you may be able to hear the stewardess and your music - I actually wear them while driving a tractor and operating a brushcutter). The linked review notes that the foam tips fall off easily. I haven’t noticed this. They do work out of your ears a bit if you’re sweaty, but how often are you sweaty in a cold, over-dry airplane cabin?

Update on August 18, 2008 by Brad

Here are the similar Sennheiser buds (only $26.99) that Michael recommended in a comment below:

Are you ready for no-bag travel?

Check out this from the OBOW forums: an essentially no-bag strategy. Now I feel like a wuss for taking that extra pair of paints. This approach is proof that anyone can carry less, though hardly anyone will want to go this light:

After years of traveling, I have perfected the art of less then one bag travel. It isn’t for everyone, but if you want to be free of a pack, here is the way to go. I figured instead of bringing different outfits and changing every day, I would wear the same cloths and change location every day, washing items at night as needed…Add a pair of cargo pants (rei), an ultra dry nylon t shirt, overshirt (ex officio) with hidden pocket for passport (I hate those undercover wallets and waist packs) and I am set. With all the pockets, I can cary extra socks, underwear abd go light jacket. Toiletries, mp3 player and sony e book go in the simple bag. I never have to check a bag, never have to stand in line to leave a bag - entire post here

Hurray for Ryan, bless his bins!

…but they’d better be big ones:

Ryanair is considering the introduction of a hand-luggage only rule on some future flights in a bid to cut costs.

Any such proposal is likely to affect early morning and midweek departures which normally contain a high proportion of business travellers.

“Should the idea be introduced, it will be confined to non-tourist routes and flights,” said Daniel de Carvalho, a spokesman for the budget airline. “It is part of our general policy to encourage passengers to travel with just hand luggage.” - Telegraph.co.uk

Obviously there’s more than one way to skin the airline cat. Or maybe this shows that none of the carriers know how to remain profitable. You’ve got to think there would be far fewer flight delays with no checked bags.