BeATiNG BAGGAGe BluNDerS

By Charo Logarta

Reginaldo

PAC k I n g for a trip can be an ordeal especially if you’re trying to pack o o T Ds, toiletries and other necessities into a single suitcase. Summer travel m eans careful curation of swimsuits, resort wear or diving gear; while a trip to winter wonderland means packing scarves, gloves, thick coats and snow boots.

These days, almost all airlines worldwide have become stricter on weight, number of pieces and even size of checked-in and carry-on (or hand-carried) baggage for several reasons. First is to protect baggage handlers from injury and prevent damage to airport machinery; second is to avert serious harm should a bag accidentally fall from the overhead bin and hit a passenger; third is to make sure that there is enough space for all hand-carried bags—it is a safety hazard to keep these anywhere else other than the overhead bins and under the seats; fourth is to expedite the boarding process—for baggage, cargo and passengers; and lastly, to m anage aircraft weight and balance, which in turn, drives how much fuel a plane needs for a flight. The heavier the aircraft, the more fuel it will need, and the more expensive the airfare will be. The limits are there so that all passengers have a fair share of baggage weight allocated while managing fuel n eeds and cost.

In general, checked luggage should not weigh more than 32kg (about 70lbs) per piece, while hand-carried baggage should not exceed 7kg. In terms of size, each bag should not exceed 62 linear inches (length + width + height).

We’ve all seen the panicked frenzy of people forced to repack at the check-in counters. To avoid this, we’ve rounded up some bang-for-buck, baggage-boosting hacks from savvy travelers.

The bag itself weighs oFT en t aken-for-granted, suitcases can weigh as much as 6kg even before you even fill it up! The lighter the bag, the more things you can pack. Spinner suitcases and those made with hard plastic and aluminum tend to be heavier, while trolleys made from nylon or polyester fabric are lighter.

Only the essentials toiletries and other essentials for the duration of your trip. Be prudent with that “just n case” mindset. e x ceptions can be made for emergency or first-aid medicines for hypertension, allergies or upset stomach.

Not the what, but how you pack n ews of the death of acquaintances, relatives, friends, friends of friends, and strangers in social media has highlighted this. They were newlyweds, new parents, new jobs, new businesses, and all that’s new and beautiful, gone in a matter of days.

M A x IM I z e space by rolling or folding all clothing properly—including underwear and socks. This method forces air out between folds, maximizing luggage space. P lus, it may help reduce wrinkles in your clothes. Packing cubes or pouches can help you stay organized. You don’t need to go out and buy these—items you may already have at home such as eco-bags, laundry bags or even resealable kitchen bags work just as well.

For toiletries, consider refilling reusable travel bottles with the quantity you w ill need while on travel. Remember that any container or bottle that is more than 100ml cannot be put in your hand-carried bag—even if the content is way less than that. n o te also that scissors, nail-cutters and nail files—basically anything remotely sharp, cannot be hand-carried.

100, and then maybe you’ll see human ingenuity defeat nature, negligence, and ignorance, and Venice is still there above the lagoons emanating an aura of beauty that has enraptured droves of visitors for centuries.

But life throws a few curveballs. You’re reminded of how things quickly change. A pandemic might happen and cut short or alter the course of your fate (if you believe in such a thing).

I let these morose thoughts linger for a bit longer as I weaved in and out of Venice’s streets and canals.

As the Cliché Goes T H e w eather in Venice was a mix of gloomy and sunny. I was thankful it didn’t rain during my visit, although it threatened to a few times. Groups of tourists crowded around the city’s most famous landmarks such as St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Square, Doge Palace, Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge. I saw the pools of water dotting the square, signs of the city’s notorious high tide problem. This didn’t bother the tourists (including me) queuing to enter the church or taking many pictures.

I left the square to see more of the city. As I passed by cafes, restaurants, shops, houses, and boats, I couldn’t help but imagine what life was like centuries ago. Was it somewhat similar?

People went about their own business, going to work, gossiping, indulging in different forms of entertainment, gondoliers singing, and visitors from far away seeking trade, a new beginning, or simply to marvel at the city. ing boots, camera gear and such, upsize to 32-kg baggage. If possible, consider doing laundry midway through your trip. Some places, especially prime tourist destinations, have self-service or one-day laundry s ervice outside of the hotels. If you’re staying in an apartment, ask if there’s a washing m achine and dryer you can use. This may help you save on baggage costs.

Venice had a particular charm, as if it was always on the cusp of extinction. It is sinking, visit the c ity of c a nals before it’s too late. As some would say even if that possibility were decades from now. The over-tourism and overpriced everything won’t deter day trippers, cruise ship visitors, backpackers, and all sorts of other travelers to catch a glimpse of the former maritime empire or experience the fleeting nature of beauty (if you’ll indulge me in stretching the meaning of a possible symbol the city might hold). The vestiges of its past glory are all over the city, in museums, paintings, stories, and even souvenirs. I bought a ref magnet as a remembrance of my time in Venice then took one last look at the Floating c ity and left.

Maximize the second hand-carried bag duty free shop. Anything purchased airside is exempted from the baggage allowance. Many hotels have basic amenities such as shampoo, razors and soaps available. If you are visiting family or friends, consider asking them to get these for you before you arrive.

Worth the weight stash small items. Some travelers also wear multi-pocketed vests and cram small items or valuables in these.

Some penny-pinching travelers swear by packing soft clothes inside a neck pillow cover or even a small pillow. Bringing a t ravel pillow is not counted against the allowed hand-carried baggage.

Mo S T airlines will allow one carry-on of up to 7kg and a second bag that can fit under the airplane seat. For many travelers, this is either the handbag or the laptop bag. Consider taking a larger backpack or soft tote bag where you can pack more items and still stay within baggage limits.

Space for shopping and souvenirs and only what you will

For longer trips, consider getting toiletries at your destination or at the airport

You might look bulging or feel hot while queuing at immigration counters, but one of the oldest travel hacks is to wear as many layers of clothes and heaviest items such as jeans, coats and boots, then strip them off as soon as you clear the pre-boarding checks and stuff them in your hand luggage. You can use the pockets of bulky clothing to

For weekend trips or short business travel lasting up to four or five days, handcarried baggage can suffice. A capsule wardrobe with items that can go from day-ton ight events should do the trick.

For trips that are at least two weeks long, a 23-kg bag might be necessary. If you need to bring other items such as hik-

Ye S t can be stressful to pack for a trip but don’t forget to make space for mementos from your trip, or the so-called pasalubong Selections at airport duty free shops tend to be limited and you don’t want to be stuck with that as the only option.

The most important hack is to research. Baggage policies vary per airline and route so best to check before you start to pack. Planning ahead and weighing your bags before you leave will help save time and inconvenience before you embark on your trip.