Packing for Conference?!?!

aussiecook

Hi All I figured since there has been so much info for those of us going to NC, this would be a good place to 'pick some brains' about bags!!

I decided to dig out my suitcases tonight and check the baggage requirements for our airline. I have 2 choices. I can take the 'jolly green giant' which is my big suitcase and pay the checked baggage fee . Or save the money and take a carry on that really is plenty big for clothes and toiletries.

If I take the 'jolly green giant', Ill have plenty of room to bring my own goodies home with me, no paying for shipping with Fed Ex. But I will pay the checked baggage fee.

If I take just the carry on I wont have the checked baggage fee, but will have to pay to have all my goodies sent home. Plus Im less likely to buy 'souvenirs' that noone needs or wants, cause I want have room!!

Ahhhh the dillema!! I hate making decisions, hurts the brain too much, especially at 2 in the morning!! Any help would be appreciated Thanks

raebates

If it were me, I'd choose the smaller case. You'll be paying for the larger case both ways. You might be able to combine your stuff with one or two friends' stuff, so that you can share the cost of shipping. Plus, as you mentioned, you'll be more likely to really carefully consider each purchase, which will probably save you money in the long run.

chefann

Ditto on Rae's response. I'm using DH's suitcase this year, which is much smaller than mine, for that very reason. Luckily, I wouldn't have checked bag fees even if I took my large one (I'm traveling via bus). But I want to avoid the temptation to fill up the bag with purchases like I did last year. (A clustermate and I bought a 50 pack of the calendars from Merrill and somehow I ended up putting all of them in my suitcase. It weighed a ton.)

wadesgirl

You can also take a bag or purse as another item. When we went to Denver I decided to just do a carry on. I used the PC grocery bag that they gave us at Leadership to bring all my goodies home in. It tucked under the seat perfectly.

Plus I heard that if you use FedEx next to the surprise boxes it's not too bad to send stuff home in.

SpiritdancerIA

Also, don't forget you could easily get stuck with additional charges if your checked bag is overweight (and it's really easy to load a bag over 50 lbs!) - you could potentially have to get an additional box at the airport, and have to pay for _two_ checked items on the return trip.

I vote for take the small bag, and have FedEx handle the shipping

caraighan

quick question... do all airlines/airports have a checked baggage fee? I'm flying Southwest as I did last year and I don't remember one...

pcsharon1

Okay, I have been thinking about this too. My question is this. If I take my bag as a carry on, what toiletries are allowed in the carry on. I know at one time you couldn't have shampoo and things like that. Are they going to toss my stuff if I only take a carry on?

Ginger428

I'm pretty sure they have to be 3oz or less & you might have to take them out of your bag. I'm easy, I use whats in the room or buy what else I need in Chicago, they have stores all over the place!

mscharf

Southwest is NO FEES for up to two bags checked as long as each in under 50 lbs!! I love Southwest, that is who we are flying also!

mscharf

Yes 3 oz or less, if it is 3.5 they will make you toss it!!!! no exceptions!!

DebbieJ

Check the TSA website. All the rules and regulations are there. Additionally, you should check your airline's website for baggage info, fees, etc.

chefann

Deb's right. The TSA website and your airline's site will have the latest information about baggage fees/restrictions, etc.

The short answer about the toiletries is that any liquids (including lip gloss, etc. that's usually in your purse) must be in 3 oz. or smaller bottles and must all fit into a single 1 quart zip-top bag. You'll need to have that bag out at the screening checkpoint. If you don't have special needs, it's easier to leave the shampoo at home and use the stuff provided by the hotel.

PamperChefCarol

In the minority here, but I like to take a larger bag. Gives me room to play with, doesn't get my clothes a wrinkled mess when I arrive, and gives me plenty of space to add additional pairs of shoes! Plus, hair rollers do take up space. Even when I fly, I prefer to check my bags and for me, it is worth the few dollars. I absolutely hate people who fly with carry on bags as big as me and by the time I come onto the plane, there is no overhead room for my coat or small tote bag. That, and the fact that I am not as young as I once was, or as I appear to be, and lugging a heavy bag around the airport does not appeal to me at all. If I could figure a way to pay a few extra dollars and have the train people drop my bag at the hotel, I gladly would.

baychef

Whatever you do...invest in the expensive Hefty zip lock bags if you put shampoo or hairspray in your checked luggage. I go through half a box of these because something will spill or spray in your luggage. I have seen too many people have hairspray let loose all over their good clothing (dry cleaning at a hotel is a major expense) and I have seen liquid make up let loose.

I am torn. Last time I brought Big Bertha and I thought my knuckles would drag on the ground before I got home!!! It has the fantastic swivel rolls, but on the way home I manage to pack so much crap in it that it is like carrying six dead bodies when I have to lift it.

ChefBeckyD

Ann - did you read the tip about taking the stuff you buy at Conference and taking it to the Fed-Ex station (usually by the Surprise Boxes) and shipping it home? They just deduct the cost from your next Commission Check - and you don't have to carry all that stuff home! I bet you could do it with all your treasures you find in Chicago!

ChefBeckyD

This is what I've started doing. It's just easier, and it doesn't matter to me what kind of shampoo and soap I use for a couple of days!

caraighan

Thanks!!! That's great to know! I knew I didn't remember any fees from last year! I just thought things might have chaged!

pcchefjane

I'm opting for my own shampoo/conditioner/body wash. I sometimes have reactions to "new" things and I have a problem with some smells making my sinuses run (not a pretty sight)! My HD gave us all a set of the PC travel bottles so I will use that. I have an old WW scale I still have so I'll be sure to weigh them.

I also got a note from my chiropractor about my cane. I had to laugh at what he wrote, "This letter is to declare the medical necessity for Ms. Vaughan to use her walking cane. Without the use of her cane, she may fall and hurt herself in a significant way." One of my CS/PC FB friends said she wouldn't want to be the flight attendant who tried to take it away because she/e could get significant bodily harm"! LOL!

Ginger428

I bought 50 Calendars last year from Merrill, what a relief to bring them right over to Fed Ex!!

nancycookspc

ONe year I mailed my dirty clothes home.... I wanted to bring all my new goodies home and did not care when I got the dirty stuff