Carry on Only Tips

[Knobby 217]

Am setting myself a challenge for the 2nd trip of 2022.

Only going with a carry-on case, no checked luggage.

I don't like all these new reports of luggage going missing all around the world. Shame as I have a 2x 23kg allowance with Cathay Pacific but I don't wanna risk my main case going missing.

So am after any travel or packing hacks you know of.

So far I have found a travel case that weighs only 554 grams and with clothing, footwear,1staid kit and a washbag am currently sitting at 5.85kg.

I will be taking my laptop so I can cram things like chargers,leads,power banks etc in the laptop bag as that never gets weighed.

One hack a friend tells me about is getting a travel neck pillow, taking the stuffing out and cramming small items like socks inside (maybe a t-shirt rolled up also) as that never gets weighed.

Toiletries I usually get when in Thailand but do take my own aftershave and razor. Am thinking when at Heathrow Terminal 3 there is a Boot chemist airside so could get some items there.

Any other tips or hacks I haven't thought of that you know?

 

[Danum99 576]

Well I usually  stay in a hotel with a washer/dryer so I pack considerably less clothes than what I use to. My go to hotel is Adelphi Grande. Others are centre point Sukhumvit,  parchara suites and the 2 other adelphis. 

[katana57 103]

When I do a carry- on only trip I always use one of these....

https://www.scottevest.com/products/rfid-travel-vest-for-men

I get in my iPad,phones,chargers,cables,medicines,documents,passport,keys,sunglasses etc . You can really get a lot of stuff in.And it makes going through security easier too.Instead of having to take out your coins,keys,metallic objects...you just slip off the vest and put it in the tray and walk through the check while they do the scan.I put a pair of sneakers in ,one time!

If you've got time before your trip, see if you can pick up a used one on ebay or amazon.

They also do shirts , shorts, windbreakers with loads of pockets. A bit pricey, but well functional.

 

[oliver17 11,592]

Don't use a hard side bag as your carry-on, use a soft side bag. You are less likely to have a stuffed soft side luggage taken from you and checked at the gate for being oversized. 

That said...

Do you really want to spend several weeks in Thailand with nothing more than what you crammed into a carry-on? You may grow to hate that decision very quickly. True lost luggage is a very rare occurrence. Most "lost" luggage is actually just delayed luggage. That's a pain in the ass,  but in most cases the luggage will arrive on a later flight and be delivered to you by the airline the next day. That happened to me once on an AA flight from Narita to LAX.  American delivered the bag the next day to my house.  Besides, if your bag disappears never to be seen again, your travelers insurance will take care of replacing stuff. The airline will also have a compensation policy for vanished bags. 

If you are flying Cathay Pacific, you really shouldn't have any worries. They have had a rough couple of years due to Covid and the Chinese government's crazed handling of the Hong Kong takeover, but stellar service has always been their calling card and they likely still strive for that these days. It's what they're known for. You should be able to trust them. 

[taaseesanuk 3,602]

Jeez....you can also get run over crossing the road....don't over think things.....we spend days, months, years debating on LOS trips why on earth

would you want to restrict /challenge yourself over baggage.

[wagstaff 24]

I see no problem with carryon only.  I've been doing 3-4 week trips that way for 25 years.  There is always a local wash and fold for laundry.  And if not, I can freshen my clothes in the bathroom sink with shampoo and they are dry by morning.  I've only checked bags a couple of times and in every case, my luggage arrived a day or two after me.  Also, no waiting at the carousel for a bag.  I was in a taxi 20 minutes after I got off the plane, including going through immigration, change some money, and grabbing something to eat.  And in today's chaotic travel scene, carryon only gives you much more flexibility to change plans due to delays or cancellations.  If you need a big bag for a couple weeks, you need to learn how to travel and pack efficiently.  

The only time I'll ever check a bag is if my clothes-horse wife travels with me.  Fortunately, that is a rare event

[American Eagle 343]

This is a method I've used when needing a lot of changes of clothing. I've since switched to minimal clothes opting for quick dry clothing that I can easily wash in a sink, hang up, and dry in the morning.
 

 

[mikel 2,548]

I always travel with at least three suits so this carry on nonsense sounds barbaric....

[Long John 1,458]

Are we talking about the Carry On movies from the sixties and seventies?. Those who are not from a UK or Commonwealth background will not understand.

On a more sensible note. I am travelling to Phuket/PhiPhi in November for a few days. I am sure I will manage with carry on, but my reg. will need to take a suitcase. You know what they are like!.

[Knobby 217]

I got the weight down a bit more.

On 9/5/2022 at 2:10 AM, katana57 said:

When I do a carry- on only trip I always use one of these....

https://www.scottevest.com/products/rfid-travel-vest-for-men

I get in my iPad,phones,chargers,cables,medicines,documents,passport,keys,sunglasses etc . You can really get a lot of stuff in.And it makes going through security easier too.Instead of having to take out your coins,keys,metallic objects...you just slip off the vest and put it in the tray and walk through the check while they do the scan.I put a pair of sneakers in ,one time!

If you've got time before your trip, see if you can pick up a used one on ebay or amazon.

They also do shirts , shorts, windbreakers with loads of pockets. A bit pricey, but well functional.

 

ohh now that's nice.

Handy also for the plane as I get very cold when on the plane. They always have the temp set low. 

[Knobby 217]

I got my bag weight down to 5.44Kg now.

One new packing "hack" a bro of mine told me about and I tried it today.

Get one of those travel neck pillow things and stuff it with small items of clothing. 

I asked for more details  

The type in question has a memory foam sponge inside. The outer cover has a zip. Remove the memory foam then stuff it with small items. 

These never get weighed at check-in, wear it round your neck when you roll up at the check-in desk. 

So I got one and today I tried it, I got 6 pairs of socks, 2 vest tops, and one other long-sleeve top inside. weight of this is 675 grams.

 

 

[katana57 103]

15 hours ago, Knobby said:

I got the weight down a bit more.

ohh now that's nice.

Handy also for the plane as I get very cold when on the plane. They always have the temp set low. 

They're handy even if you take a checked-in  bag.....no need for a carry-on.Everything you'd usually put in a carry-on will fit in the vest.

And convenient going through security.

[Rodrigo 1,108]

The best way to do this is to wear multiple layers of clothing. Yes you are legally allowed to wear multiple layers. I mean two or three pairs of underwear. A pair of shorts and your pants over that. 3 socks and two t shirts and a polo shirt over them. Grab a t shirt and roll it over your head as a turban.

The rest you can put it in your carry on. Once you get thru the airline staff just take those off and put them in your carry on. 

[Knobby 217]

6 hours ago, katana57 said:

They're handy even if you take a checked-in  bag.....no need for a carry-on.Everything you'd usually put in a carry-on will fit in the vest.

And convenient going through security.

I might get one, or one similar. I see fishing vests are of the same type with lots of pockets.

I do have and use a small shoulder bag for day-to-day use.

[Knobby 217]

30 minutes ago, Rodrigo said:

The best way to do this is to wear multiple layers of clothing. Yes you are legally allowed to wear multiple layers. I mean two or three pairs of underwear. A pair of shorts and your pants over that. 3 socks and two t shirts and a polo shirt over them. Grab a t shirt and roll it over your head as a turban.

The rest you can put it in your carry on. Once you get thru the airline staff just take those off and put them in your carry on. 

Nice idea, I might do some of that. Dunno about a turban though 

[Rodrigo 1,108]

36 minutes ago, Knobby said:

Nice idea, I might do some of that. Dunno about a turban though 

The turban was my idea. The rest I have seen it done. I couldn't believe it when I saw this thin guy I know who looked fat when he turned up at the airport. The funny thing was the security only asked him to remove his jacket and nothing else. 

[Knobby 217]

1 minute ago, Rodrigo said:

The turban was my idea. The rest I have seen it done. I couldn't believe it when I saw this thin guy I know who looked fat when he turned up at the airport. The funny thing was the security only asked him to remove his jacket and nothing else. 

Ok well I will keep that in mind.

[sornierob 590]

On 9/4/2022 at 8:10 PM, katana57 said:

When I do a carry- on only trip I always use one of these....

https://www.scottevest.com/products/rfid-travel-vest-for-men

I get in my iPad,phones,chargers,cables,medicines,documents,passport,keys,sunglasses etc . You can really get a lot of stuff in.And it makes going through security easier too.Instead of having to take out your coins,keys,metallic objects...you just slip off the vest and put it in the tray and walk through the check while they do the scan.I put a pair of sneakers in ,one time!

If you've got time before your trip, see if you can pick up a used one on ebay or amazon.

They also do shirts , shorts, windbreakers with loads of pockets. A bit pricey, but well functional.

 

I have 3 SotteVests and have been using them for over 10 years--never go without wearing one.   I carry everything in the vest that I do not want to lose and that I want to access during the flights.  I also haven't checked a bag for 25 or more years and my trips are usually 4-6 weeks.  Never had a problem finding a wash and fold shop, and some hotels will do it cheaply.  

Edited September 14, 2022 by sornierob

[Knobby 217]

The vest idea I am liking.

[tongting 13]

On 9/11/2022 at 3:19 PM, Rodrigo said:

The best way to do this is to wear multiple layers of clothing. Yes you are legally allowed to wear multiple layers. I mean two or three pairs of underwear. A pair of shorts and your pants over that. 3 socks and two t shirts and a polo shirt over them. Grab a t shirt and roll it over your head as a turban.

The rest you can put it in your carry on. Once you get thru the airline staff just take those off and put them in your carry on. 

I thought this would be obvious

[katana57 103]

On 9/15/2022 at 4:02 AM, sornierob said:

I have 3 SotteVests and have been using them for over 10 years--never go without wearing one.   I carry everything in the vest that I do not want to lose and that I want to access during the flights.  I also haven't checked a bag for 25 or more years and my trips are usually 4-6 weeks.  Never had a problem finding a wash and fold shop, and some hotels will do it cheaply.  

Exactly.

But as I mentioned in an earlier post, if I take a checked in bag I still use the vest.That way I don't need a carry on.Everything I would usually put in a carry on fits in the vest.A breeze going through security too....No messing around emptying your pockets, etc.

Another thing I bought from Scottevest was a windbreaker. I ride a motorcycle everyday , and because I can get everything I need into it,I don't need to hump around a rucksack or daysack/backpack. Just another option to think about.