Paper is heavy, and I've found that it contributes greatly to my bag weight. My first step to eliminate it came when I bought an electronic Bible, followed shortly after by a Sony Reader. Then I discovered that I can create PDF / JPEG copies of all my docments and load them on to my Reader. No more paper - a lot less weight. Bliss! It turns out that you can load electronic copies on to almost any Personal Electronic Device (PED) that has a screen and can attach to your computer - reader, phone, MP3 player. Most of these devices have a "secure" mode that you can password protect to guard your personal information.

Candidates for electronic copies are:
* Reservations and Confirmations (airline, auto, hotel)
* Contract of carriage for your airline
* A copy of the baggage policy for your airline (especially hand baggage)
* A copy of the specifications for your carry on bag (to show that it complies with the airline requirements).
* Snapshots of your passport, drivers license, credit card
* Contact list (phone numbers, addresses)
* Packing list

The key to going paperless lies in having a few items:
* A way to convert your paper in to electronic format. You can take photos of your passport, drivers license, credit card and store them as JPEG files. Make sure you save these in email mode (low resolution) to keep the size of the image small. Your goal is to have just enough resolution that you can read it - you do not need a 12 Megapixel image of your passport!
* You can convert text documents and HTML files using freeware programs such as CutePDF Writer (http://www.cutepdf.com/). These are crude, but get the job done as far as capturing the HTML displays of your airline reservation, car reservation, etc.
* Back up your info in a second spot such as an online vault, or your web based e-mail. If you create a folder on your web based e-mail account, you can store all your information in there without the fear of downloading through your pop account. Simply create the document, e-mail it to your self, and then store it in the e-mail folder.
* Most readers can also take text files. I usually create a list of phone numbers and addresses in text (*.txt) format that I then upload to my reader. This is a little more readable than PDF.

I've eliminated about a pound worth of paper this way (more if you count the books I used to haul around). My back is much happier, and I don't have to worry about losing or misplacing my documents.

Cindy, I do the same thing but put my stuff on a USB flash drive and on the email. I like the idea of having it all with you on a device that has a screen. My microsoft mobile os 5.0 phone should , be able to read pdfs. I will check that. It has enough room to store everything.

There is only one thing I think doesn't make too much sense and that's taking the specs of your carry-on luggage. First, there is the sizer. Then there are tape measures. Then there are other pieces to compare it to. Lastly, there is the arbitrary decision power of the agent.

If the situation had to be escalated to the point where you need to show a document to prove what size your luggage is, things would be quite kafkaesque. Even more so since the document cannot be linked to the luggage logically and semantically. Most pieces of luggage do not have a name or number that could link this specific piece to the description of what is written on paper. Paper is patient as we say in German. You could take a 25 inch roller and show them the paper with a 20 inch roller from the same series.

Also, the final decision point will be the actual measures of the luggage and not what it says in the specs, in addition to the specs being useless because they cannot be linked to the luggage conclusively. This is a point you can easily skip in the otherwise perfect preparation. :)

By the way, my problem is not the weight of the few documents in paper I need to bring. My problem is all the paper I bring back from my trips in form of brochures, magazines, notes and books. If you buy a single copy of say GQ, let alone Vogue, this will weigh much more than those few pesky docs.

One thing I do take on paper is the print-out of TSA carry-on regulations. I usually bring a lighter and a cigar cutter. Both items are specifically allowed. It never got to the point where I needed to show it though but they have been inspected several times to be then approved.

>>>>>..."By the way, my problem is not the weight of the few documents in paper I need to bring. My problem is all the paper I bring back from my trips in form of brochures, magazines, notes and books....."<<<<<

I have, on past trips, mailed things like that home before I return. Just wrote 'printed matter' on the envelope if it's a big wad of papers, sight guides/leaflets, etc.
I use the email method too (to myself and my parents) and my paperwork doesn't weigh enough to warrant using anything techie. I discard any timetable or map printouts as we go along and use sticky notes for opening/closing times and tickets prices of any sights we're visiting.
I'm afraid I'm old fashioned when it comes to holidays, the more technology I can leave behind the more I feel I've escaped from work and home. (I really begrudged buying a cell phone in the UK, unfortunately it became a necessity).

That might be a possibility to consider if I have the time to go to a post office. I'd actually need to buy a packet because my stuff can weigh up to 5kg, so an envelope doesn't cut it. At that point paying around $5 for the shipping, $2.50 for the package and having the time expenditure it makes more sense to just pay the bag fee and check the darn thing.

Till