OBOW Light Travel Forum > How do you pack your Air Boss?
Your method for packing an Air Boss pretty much matches the method I used on a similar trip. You should be able to use the pack as a personal item. This can take some weight off your shoulder bag. And with changes the UK one-bag/no personal item rule you'll be able to have a personal item outside of the main carryon if you fly out of Heathrow (since January) or Gatwick (just announced). Don't surprised if Virgin doesn't weigh your bag unless it looks huge and heavy. Some packing cubes might make an under-packed Air Boss work better.
CORRECTION - YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT NO PERSONAL ITEM AND I'M WRONG - SEE POST BELOW
Frank@OBOW
I checked the Virgin site (as you no doubt have as well) and found that they claim not to allow the personal item - which is a drag. It's certainly possible to do you entire load at 6kg/13 lbs. - I did 15 pounds total for a winter trip. I'll still be surprised if they weigh your bag. Let us know how it goes. You might check the flyertalk.com forums for feedback from Virgin Atlantic customers. I'll do that this weekend if I have time.
One way to apparently save carry-on weight: load up your coat pockets. You can knock off three or four pounds this way.
Frank@OBOW
Just picked up some packing cubes, thanks for the suggestion - that should help a lot with organizing that center compartment of the bag. Since this is my first time one-bagging for a trip like this, I'm viewing the 13-lb weight restriction as a good thing - it will keep me from packing *anything* I'm not absolutely 100% sure I'll use/wear. Also makes my load lighter. I'll be staying in four cities over the two weeks and travelling by train between them, so the freedom of movement I'll get by having only one bag to deal with will be great. Looking forward to feeling liberated. Still, I'm glad I have that coat with the big pockets, lol.
w84mike
Mike,
Some contend that there are rarely situations where wheeled luggage is an impediment. I believe you'll find the shoulder bag is a real help as you dance around people with big rollers and ease up the train aisles. I do believe a 22-pound shoulder bag can be a bit much but I think you'll find 13 pounds to be a breeze. Please post about your experiences. Lots of people can't conceive of going this light.
Frank@OBOW
I've traveled from the Middle East to the US and back (through London) with my Air Boss. You are packing it perfectly. I've found in Europe if your bag looks light enough it won't be weighed. The Air Boss riding on my shoulder always looks lighter than it is. While my kids give me grief for my 511 tactical vest, wearing it has never been an issue going through London and it can carry as much as, or more than a personal item/bag. Your plan will work.
Garry
w84mike and Garry:
The vest suggestion is a good one (there should be a separate thread on this...). One that looks very interesting is this one from ScottEVest: http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/New_Travel_Vest.shtml
They also have an older model that looks/works more like a 5.11 tactical vest. In any case, you can carry a lot of your heaviest, most awkward items in it and save the bag for clothing, etc., making it easier to handle.
John
I would think the key is to try to make it look as thin as possible. I don't think I could make the 13 pound limit myself. The Air Boss will hold around 22 to 25 pounds when fully packed but it will look big at that point (and feel heavy too).
I prefer to carry a load square on by back over any shoulder bag. I do have more problems with almost hitting people or objects if I turn too fast but the same goes for a shoulder bag. For me it's much more comfortable to have the weight backpack style.
MattM
I'm heading to England on vacation for the last two weeks of May and this will be my first time one-bagging for a trip like that. I bought an Air Boss from Red Oxx and it's clear it will hold way more than I'll be taking with me. I'm flying Virgin Atlantic which limits not only the size of my carry-on but also the weight to 13 pounds. Anyhoo, I'm thinking right now in one compartment I'll put my sport coat, Rick Steves daypack and one pair of slacks; in another compartment I'll bundle three shirts and a light sweater around the pouch holding two pairs each of undershirts, underpants and socks. The center compartment for toiletries, battery chargers, laundry supplies, etc. If I need to for weight purposes, I'll wear my trench-type raincoat and stuff its big pockets with umbrella, battery chargers, 3-1-1 bag, the book I'll read on the plane, maybe even the shoulder strap of the Air Boss. How do you all pack your Air Bosses?
Mike