We're all ready to leave in the morning, but both of us keeping thinking about what we packed. I.e., Do I need a pair of shorts? That hotel has a pool - bathing suit? North coast is damp & raining, middle of the country is dry and hot - how many different types of coats can I fit in a suitcase? Both of our carry-ons are full and strapped down so that we can make them look smaller. Nowadays as you walk down the jetway, you never know if the agent standing by the airplane door
is going to look at your 'roll aboard' (that's the new name for carry-on suitcases) and decide it's too large for the overhead bin. If so, they take it from you right there and toss it --quite literally toss it -- into the luggage hold after all the other luggage has be loaded and then you need to go claim it at the baggage carousel after you land, anyway. That's exactly what you were trying to avoid to begin with! There are several strategies for getting around this. First, and most importantly, you never walk with your suitcase on the right side; you should roll it along on the left side so that it's harder for the gate agent to see it. Second, you engage your flying partner in conversation as you walk past the agent, so that he really needs to almost be rude in order to interrupt you and take your suitcase. Third, very definitely never make eye contact! Fourth, walk like you're a seasoned traveller, and fifth, if the agent grabs the guy in front of you, you walk past him and into the plane as fast as you can!
Our other carry on 'personal item' is a back pack, and each of our packs are filled with all of the essentials including the 3-1-1 quart bag, our Kindles, ear plugs, ear buds (headphones), head lamp, extra set of clothes in case the luggage gets lost, water bottle, snacks, pens, etc. Packing the back pack was easy; we've done it hundreds of times!
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