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A carry-on bag is one of the most important things you can bring with you when you travel. It protects your valuables, keeps you busy on a long flight, and keeps you from having to go without if your checked luggage gets lost. But that’s only true if it’s packed right.
Travelling can be stressful on its own, but if you pack your carry-on bag with the right essentials, you can ease some of your flight anxiety. Here are some tips on how to choose the best carry-on bag and pack it right while still following the rules set by the Transportation Security Administration for each major US airline.
The best bags to take on trips
You’ll need to find the right carry-on bag before you can start to pack. Here are a few things you should remember:
Size
The size is the first and most important thing to think about. Federal Aviation Administration rules say that carry-on bags can’t be bigger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches, but some airlines may let you take an extra inch or two. As a general rule, your bag must be small enough to fit under your seat or in the overhead storage compartment.
Safety
If you want to bring electronics on board, like a laptop, iPad, Kindle, or other tablets, your carry-on bag should have a separate, padded compartment to keep them safe.
At security checkpoints, the TSA will ask you to take out your electronics and put them in a plastic X-ray tray. Make sure these compartments are easy to get to.
Comfort
Don’t forget that you’ll have to carry your carry-on bag or suitcase all over the airport and down long hallways. You might even have to run with it to make sure you don’t miss your flight.
Think about whether you need padded handles or straps, a rucksack, or a suitcase with wheels to make things easier.
How to correctly pack your carry-on
Even though it’s up to you what you put in your carry-on, here are some tips for the best way to pack your luggage:
Put things in layers (shoes in one layer, clothes in another, electronics in another, etc.).
Pack the things you’ll use the least at the bottom of your bag.
Keep most of your valuables in your carry-on luggage. You can put them in side pockets or wrap them safely around other items.
Put things you want to keep safe at the bottom of your bag, away from the opening.
Keep your wallet, credit cards, and cash in your inner pocket so they will be harder to steal.
Pack your toiletries in a separate, small bag. Liquids, gels, and aerosols packed in carry-on bags must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container; all liquids must fit in one quart-size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per passenger).
To save space in your luggage, roll your clothes tightly.
Sometimes you lose your luggage. It’s a fact. Even though it’s annoying, it’s important to pack a spare set of clothes (including socks and pants!) in your carry-on to keep you going until your bags are found and returned. Pack clothes that you can easily roll up and put at the bottom of your bag.
Things you need to have in your carry-on bag
Some things are better kept in your carry-on luggage. If you decide to check a bag, make sure to keep these things with you on the flight. Most of these must-haves for your carry-on are things that would be hard to replace or buy once you get to your destination.
Medications and prescriptions
Contact lenses or glasses
Valuables like jewellery, wallets, passports, ID cards, and boarding passes.
Smartphones and cameras
Tablets, books, and laptops are all forms of entertainment.
Headphones, so you can watch TV or movies if the flight is long.
Chargers for gadgets
itinerary on paper or confirmations from the hotel and flight.
Items you can’t bring in your carry-on bag
The TSA has rules about what items are not allowed on planes, and the agency takes these rules very seriously. In 2022, the TSA screened nearly 761 million passengers and crew members across the country and seized a record number of firearms (6,301) and many other items. According to TSA policy, people who carry weapons, especially loaded guns, can get fined or go to jail.
These are some of the things that get taken most often:
Firearms.
Fireworks.
There are razors, utility knives, and box cutters.
Bats, clubs, and blades
Swiss Army knives
If you’re not sure what to pack for a flight, always check the TSA’s rules to make sure you travel safely and easily.
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