Luci Petlack
graduating PhD student | blogger, Luci’s Morsels | social media consultant
I’ve been traveling my whole life. I’ve had my passport since I was 6 weeks old when I went to Canada for the first time. Whenever I missed a day of high school, my friends would jokingly ask where I’d been. China? Paris? This wasn’t the norm, but it was always entertaining. My international travel in the last few years has been minimal, but I’m still traveling around the US, mostly for fun! Regardless of the trip, however, I’ve developed a few techniques for packing more efficiently. The first lesson my mother taught me was not to take more than I could handle myself. With my dad and all the kids, my mom didn’t have extra hands for my stuff as well, so I learned the importance of one personal piece and my suitcase. There will be none of this multiple suitcases business! And after that, make sure you have the irreplaceable things first and foremost. If worse comes to worst, you can always buy what you forgot there.
I usually pack the day before a trip and I try not to allow too much time for packing or I’ll bring my whole closet. I have a roller suitcase that meets the standards for fitting in the overhead compartment (thank you Travelpro), though I usually check it because of my razor, lotion, and/or my hair serum that I can’t live without (at least not until poofy frizz comes into style). I never expand my suitcase on the way out and I also try to save a little room for the trip home. I judge places visited by the food and the shopping, so leaving space for purchases is important. To maximize space, I roll things that can get wrinkled (pjs, tanktops, and jeans) and gently fold all my tops. Tops and dresses that are susceptible to wrinkles, I leave out until the last possible minute. When picking out what to take, I plan on rewearing bottoms and shoes. People tend to remember your tops far more than your bottoms. For shoes that don’t squish easily, I try to put things inside them like socks and toiletry containers that aren’t likely to explode. For my toiletries, I put them all out on the counter the day before and then throw each item into my two zip-around bags as soon as I’m done using it so I don’t forget any of my essentials! I never take my blowdryer because hotels or hosts normally have one and I choose between a curling iron and flat iron. Since my hair takes about 45 minutes to curl after blow-drying, I usually opt for my flat iron.If you’re looking for a great carry-on bag, search for baby bags by your favorite designers. This sounds crazy, but after you remove the diaper changing pad, you’re left with comfortable straps and lots of pockets! Also, I’ve had lost luggage scares a few times in my life. The thing I worry most about getting back is my jewelry – a mix of family heirlooms and personal favorites. Because of this, I always put my travel jewelry case in my carry-on – then it’s always with me. If I have to check luggage, I plan to get to the airport about 90 minutes before my departure time.
With no luggage to check, 75 minutes in the airport is ample in my book. Once I hit security, I head for the lines with businesspeople and single travelers, if given the option. I remove extra layers, check my pockets, and prep my laptop for easy removal while waiting in line. I also plan out how many bins I need. Normally I take two – one for my laptop and one for my shoes, sweater, and purse (if I have one). I put my laptop in the middle of my stuff going through the scanner to make sure I know which is mine. I also like to put my shoes through first so I can work on getting those back on quickly. I don’t always do flats, but I do avoid laces. And I almost never travel in sandals because my feet get so cold on airplanes. I love traveling in my short booties or my cowboy boots because I can take them off and put them back on easily. This is perfect in wetter months.
Once inside the gate, I usually hit the bathroom and get my coffee, if it’s that time of day. I like to hang out near the gate and prefer a seat near the window to watch the planes taxi around the runways. Sometimes I work, other times I just relax, depends on my mood. On the plane, I’m a window gal through and through. Because I used to sleep on planes, I hated the possibility of creeping into someone else’s space or into the aisle. And leaning against the window also helps prevent my mouth falling open and snoring – so embarrassing! The window also means better sleep. I try to keep all my carry-ons under the seat in front of me, so I have everything within reach. After takeoff, I like to do a combination of work and reading. On longer flights, I add in a nap. I also find that the altitude turns the wheels in my head. Does anyone else have this? To be prepared, I always have a pen and paper to write down my brainstorming. On my return trips, I tend to plan out what I need to do when I get home and my schedule for the week ahead. I always have my water bottle and unless it’s a quick flight, a barrage of snacks if not a homemade sandwich along with fruits/veggies. I eat a lot and I can’t stand the thought of snacking for hours on end. Depending on the airline, I always ask for the whole can or bottle of whatever I’m drinking, especially water. They are usually happy to oblige! While I try not to barge in on people’s lives, I always look forward to meeting people on the plane. I’ve met some pretty interesting folks and had memorable conversations 30,000 feet in the air. Normally if they giggle or ogle at the same fellow travelers or the flight attendants when I do, I try to bond over the humor and then ask if they are leaving or heading home. Some people politely reply and that’s all for the conversation, but other times we start talking. It’s great fun. It’s hard for me to sit so close to somebody I know nothing about and haven’t even acknowledged their existence without an attempt at conversation. I hope I’m not the crazy lady that no one wants to sit by…
– glasses – sandwich – scarf –
– lip balm – facial spray – jewelry case –
– laptop – water bottle – tote –
– hand cream – notebook –
