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[neutralname]

Now that airlines are charging for baggage (Delta's charges are $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second bag) I want to pack light for my conferences.  Is it possible to go away for 3 or 4 days and make do with what you can take on board? 

[Maybe this could have piggy-backed on the "what do you carry on?" thread, but it has a different emphasis.] 

[dr_c_b]

I need at least two suits for a three day trip. Have you ever put a suit in a daybag? Along with a notebook, books and stuff?

[neutralname]

When you say you need the suits, does that mean that all presenters wear suits or relatively formal dress? 

I could probably get by with a pair of khakis, a few shirts, and a jacket. 

[wegie]

Now that airlines are charging for baggage (Delta's charges are $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second bag) I want to pack light for my conferences.  Is it possible to go away for 3 or 4 days and make do with what you can take on board? 

Easily. My record so far was managing to get the packing for a week and half business trip across the States into one rollaway for WH.

I need at least two suits for a three day trip. Have you ever put a suit in a daybag? Along with a notebook, books and stuff?

See the above. If you know how to pack, it's easily doable. However, life is a lot easier if you own a suit with two matching pairs of trousers!

The trick, for both men's and women's clothing, is to have stuff that coordinates and packs down well. For instance, I have a set of crinkle silk shirts that actually look *better* after they've been stuffed into the corner of the suitcase, can be used as dress wear in the evenings but also go well with casual clothing. 

[wegie]

Aha! I knew we'd discussed this before.

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,43258.0.html
http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,36996.0.html

[neutralname]

Aha! I knew we'd discussed this before.

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,43258.0.html
http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,36996.0.html

I had a sneaking feeling that was the case, but wegie, your search powers are extraordinary.  I bow down to you.  Thanks. 

[neutralname]

Following up from one of those threads:

What do you think? Wheels or straps? Ease of getting around on pavement, or better weight distribution off pavement? Hmm...

There's no need to choose when you can have both:

http://www.eddiebauer.com/eb/product.asp?product_id=31234&nv=5|21474|214|24849&lview=&cm_cg=C24849&tid=&c=&sc=&lp=w1i006

This link no longer works.  Does anyone know which fantastic luggage item it took you to?

Browsing on Amazon, it looks like it is possible to get expandable carry on luggage with wheels and a strap with good customer ratings for $50 or less.  Would this be a false economy?

[pink_]

I need at least two suits for a three day trip. Have you ever put a suit in a daybag? Along with a notebook, books and stuff?

Yep--I've done it for MLA and campus visits.  The trick, as someone else has said, is in the packing.  3-4 days in a rollaboard + my laptop bag as a personal item is easy as long as you only take two pairs of shoes.  The shoes get me every time because they eat up too much space.

[inthelab]

I just pay the $15 bucks.  In the larger scheme of things it isn't all that much.

[wegie]

Following up from one of those threads:

What do you think? Wheels or straps? Ease of getting around on pavement, or better weight distribution off pavement? Hmm...

There's no need to choose when you can have both:

http://www.eddiebauer.com/eb/product.asp?product_id=31234&nv=5|21474|214|24849&lview=&cm_cg=C24849&tid=&c=&sc=&lp=w1i006

This link no longer works.  Does anyone know which fantastic luggage item it took you to?

I seem to recall that it was a rather cute full rucksack with wheels.

Browsing on Amazon, it looks like it is possible to get expandable carry on luggage with wheels and a strap with good customer ratings for $50 or less.  Would this be a false economy?

It depends on how much damage you're going to do to the poor thing ;-)

As a point of reference, our matched Samsonites died after about 5 years of fairly heavy-duty service (at one point a couple of years ago, WH was doing London to the US every other month, out to the Far East every six months, plus any vacations we took) so if you can get a decent Samsonite or similar for fifty bucks, you're paying ten bucks a year for your luggage!

I just pay the $15 bucks.  In the larger scheme of things it isn't all that much.

And if Delta doesn't get your luggage back to you for the three days of your conference/interview, you're stuffed ;-)

Certainly, for a few days, I never bother checking luggage unless I've got something that *must* be checked, like my kitchen knives.

One thing to beware of. If your travels bring you over to this side of the pond, the European metric dimensions for bags are just slightly smaller than the US dimensions for carry ons, so if you have a choice between a 21 inch and a 22 inch, get the former!

[neutralname]

Are airlines starting to charge for baggage for international flights?  BA does not for US--UK.  It's not clear from the Continental site what their international policy is.

[inthelab]

And if Delta doesn't get your luggage back to you for the three days of your conference/interview, you're stuffed ;-)

Certainly, for a few days, I never bother checking luggage unless I've got something that *must* be checked, like my kitchen knives.

One thing to beware of. If your travels bring you over to this side of the pond, the European metric dimensions for bags are just slightly smaller than the US dimensions for carry ons, so if you have a choice between a 21 inch and a 22 inch, get the former!

Thanks Heavens that hasn't happened.  Real necessary stuff (conference poster or USB drive with PPT seminar, etc.) travel with me on-board.

[wegie]

And if Delta doesn't get your luggage back to you for the three days of your conference/interview, you're stuffed ;-)

Thanks Heavens that hasn't happened.  Real necessary stuff (conference poster or USB drive with PPT seminar, etc.) travel with me on-board.

Let's just say that the choice of Delta was not coincidental ;-(

Coming home, I don't really care. I only live 8 miles from Heathrow, so if my baggage gets lost, it's usually at my door before I get up the next morning, but finding myself somewhere on Saturday night with no underwear and no suit when I'm presenting at 10 on Sunday morning? No thanks!

The other thing to invest in is a decent set of miniature toiletries that fit into one of those annoying little zip-lock bags. I've currently got a few 30ml Brown and Molton face washes and shower gels, and as long as one doesn't leave it open and dripping in the shower (glares in general direction of husband ;-) that size will get one through about five days.

Are airlines starting to charge for baggage for international flights?  BA does not for US--UK.  It's not clear from the Continental site what their international policy is.

BA doesn't and almost certainly won't (it's how they distinguish themselves from Ryanair et al).

[jwormold]

Patagonia MLC.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&catcode=MAIN_SP_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.PACKS/TRAVEL_GEAR.SHOULDER_BAGS&style_color=48106-176&ws=

Ebags usually has less desirable colors (ie, not black) on sale frequently.

Oh, there's also a wheeled version, too.

[dellaroux]

It looks like the non-working link is just missing some of its hyperlinked-ivity (the underlining seems to have gone away partway through....)