How to Pack a Carry On (Tips from a former flight attendant)

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It's all good, Becca. Thanks for sharing.

I hesitated watching this, but I'm going on a trip soon, and I find that I pack too many tops. Your tips are excellent, and I've traveled plenty (I'm not "young") and I could've used these tips then!

People steal too even when you have a lock on your luggage. DO NOT EVER PUT MONEY IN YOUR LUGGAGE....

😂 ...so you obviously got over the limit. 😁🛑👟👢👡

Jeff P 😂😂👌🏼

Lol. Priceless

Jeff P I’m not trying to defend the bag handlers, but since they have very limited time between flights(usually about 45 minutes)to unload the bags and then get the next set of bags on the flight they have to hurry and “throw” the bag around to get them on and off the plane. Also those same bag handlers are usually the people who guide the plane into the arrival gate, go on the plane and clean it, and prepare it for the people getting on the plane to leave, and also guide and push the plane out of the gate. They have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in.

100% they are some of the hardest workers out there! This was moreso just a tip for people to protect their personal items, no shade to the baggage handlers! I got to work with them a lot as a flight attendant and they were the coolest dudes 👍🏼

🤣🤣🤣🤣 ... or the tiny little lady trying to move my 70 lbs. bag from the scale to the bagge belt behind her 😩.

Alisa Nicole Yes, yes, yes!! 100% agree. And haha thank you 😂

Everything I pack I love 😭

Lol! @@jacquelynmancera8029

Alisa Nicole that’s my rule too! And my daughters name is Alyssia Nicole, so I had to look twice lol

Which is exactly why I take carry on only. Also packing cubes are a must, such a lifesaver.

Thank u

Grateful for this info

Pro tip:
Put passports and important stuff in your fanny pack so you cant loose them and are super easy to take out.

Coming from an airline agent, Fanny packs are a personal item. Just depends on how strict your agent is!

Can anyone confirm this?

Yes😊

Yes. I have some kind of weird mental anxiety about packing to go on a trip. Doesn’t matter if it’s for a weekend, week or month; by plane, train, or automobile. I always have good intentions to start the packing process a few days before I leave, but other things come up and somehow that never happens. Knowing I’ll be SO stressed by the time I’m packed makes me not want to go, no matter how much fun it will be when I arrive. I need HELP!

@@user-ei8rb7sj6c same!!!! I get so paranoid that I have to throw something away

Yes!!!

Yep I have 55 days and I’m going on a plane for the first time and I am trying to get as many tips as possible ahaha

Nichie Speaks I was thinking that too! That’s how I pack when I’m going on vacation and it doesn’t run the risk of the bacteria on the bottom on my shoes getting on my clothes

@@kimroach7034 😊 Love your videos. Keep up the good work.

Nichie Speaks what videos?

I carry mine in a mesh delicates bag and in a zippered pocket in my carry on.

Yeah I cringed hard when I saw the undies going in the shoes :/

DiDIG same 😂😂

Lmao! Me too! 🙄😂🤣🤦🏽‍♀️

Unexpected n too funny

they be looking into your eyes and throw it🤣🤣💀💀💀

Me too🤣😂🤣🤣🤣

Agreed

As my friends and I always say, “I’ve never wished I packed heavier!” Minimalist just makes things easier, especially if you have to handle your own luggage abroad.

This extra outfit advice is 100% on point that's what I was going to say including socks. Even if you're flying from snow to the Caribbean.
Because you never know when you're going to have to make an emergency landing and be stuck overnight and some terminal and it closed the airport freezing to death.
An extra outfit and some socks can save your life.
But some of those valuables people have to take for them are necessities for work so that can't be avoided.

How long where you a Flight Att. And why did you leave? I was gonna ask the KRplusr here, but she has too many comments...lol!
But yes I'm very intrigued as to why some flight attendants quit pretty much right away (or within a year), while others go on to stay "forever" and love it!!! What do you think they love that you didn't?

Hi , I flew for 9 years. I did love it , I got married ended up having a miscarriage on a flight whe working. It wasn't very exciting. Luckily, a commuter who had just finished a flight took over for me for the duration of the flight. Flight attendants have a very high rate of miscarriages.

@@gabrielort3531 I replied but I don't think I replied to you correctly 🤔, I think I replied to my reply so it's there for you! Have a great day!

R. Davis…You nailed it. I used to travel overseas A LOT for work. When you go to places where people don’t know you, it doesn’t matter that you have an outfit per day. No one cares what you wear. You won’t see those people ever again. And if you travel to places where people do know you and will see you every day, they will understand that you are traveling and so wearing the same outfits don’t matter. And 99.99% of the places you travel to, will have stores where you can buy clothing so if it comes down to it and you need it, buy a shirt or jacket or socks. Also if you stay at hotels, they have a laundry service. You can always have them wash your clothes. They usually do a great job at it. You don’t need to pack shampoos or toothpaste. Surprise! They have those things elsewhere. Hotels have them too…for free!
There are clothing made for travel. Quick drying underwear that you can wash at the hotel sink and hung to dry. Light weight Merino wool shirts and hoodies that regulate body temperature and wick away sweat and doesn’t smell. Wearing expensive jewelry or watches or clothing or shoes just make you an easy target. I don’t how many stories I’ve heard from friends and colleagues about their Rolexes or cameras stolen.
When you travel, travel smart and not travel to impress people because no one cares.

Madeline Maureen Agreed. A shower cap is great for covering the soles of shoes if a proper shoe bag is too much of a splurge. 🙂

I thought that too, 😯😯

Ziploc gallon bags are perfect for me. Worn shoes mixed with clean clothes is simply GROSS! She probably doesn't mind since she laid clean clothes on the floor anyway.
Equally, suitcases on the bed... yuck.

Madeline Maureen Shoes and slippers should wrap with something

Plastic disposable shopping bags, preferably from the place you are visiting.

I hope you had a wonderful trip!

Aahh the ole liquids in the contact cases...genius! Love your style

i recently saw this tip and realize I have thrown away so many contacts cases! I rarely travel enough to have keep things so compact (just an overnight so my toiletries take up more space than my clothes). I have a great hanging bag for toiletries that I find hard to leave at home, but for flying, using the smaller makeup bag makes so much more sense. I will look for some of my cases and maybe buy a couple for use in the future. I'm looking at some trips with plane flights in the next year. It's been over 5 years since I have flown anywhere, so it is like relearning efficiency every time I fly. I'm always thinking about what I'm gonna wish I had once I get somewhere. One of the trips will be to a colder climate so i will struggle with packing for warmth since winter clothes take up more space. I know I will just have to wear the heaviest coat I want on the trip and hope it is warm enough (my puffy quilted full length coat will probably not make the trip!)

Good idea! I don't wear contacts so wouldn't have thought of that but I'll now buy a case.

Do a test run. Fill up your travel containers with products you will take with you and then use the filled containers at home for the same length of time you'll be away to see if you're taking too much or too little of the product and adjust accordingly. I only wash my hair every 3 days or so and I'm able to use a smaller bottle than I had been taking. I do allow for an extra day or 2 in case there are flight or other unforeseen delays.

That is a fantastic idea. Was thinking about buying the little containers but will do this instead. Thanks!

😂

same. toiletries and makeup, if that gets lost the trip suddenly gets a whole lot more expensive, for no good reason.

I agree completely. I’ve had some flights get delayed and had to spend the night in a hotel room. It felt so good to take a shower, put on clean clothes (undies!), and fix my hair and apply some makeup. And you’re right - replacing makeup can get expensive, even if you grab some from the cosmetics vending machine ($12 for travel mascara!). You just never know...

When flying more than 10 hours international, I'll take 2x change of underwear and 1x change of outer clothes (2x if summer) and some washing liquid in carry-on. I've always thought it was overkill and always did it. On our most recent trip to Australia, our checked luggage was delayed almost a week! I was so glad we each had 2 days' clothing and the ability to wash it.

Absolutely these are essentials....I've learnt from experience!

That's the important stuff 🙂

Numa.K 😮!!!!! Oh heckkkk no!! I would be walking out on the tarmac like EXCUSE ME ☝🏼 LOL

I’m okay with them tossing my luggage but not my stroller. I need to be able to push my kids around when I get to my destination.

Tippytoe - seriously! Esp when your traveling by yourself with 3 kids under 5 😭

Numa.K That was me. I had 3 kids all in less than 4 years. We went to Hawaii and my eldest was barely 5.

Not to mention strollers can run upwards of 100$ 😡🤬

Patricia Beetschen I always use a normal bag (preferably plastic) to fully cover the shoes but have found that the cheap hotel shower caps (unused) are useful to use as a food cover for e.g. half a melon, bowl of food...

Patricia Beetschen that what I do instead of buying a shoe bag.

Or those thin plastic grocery bags.

I like that idea!

Very😂😂

Meghan

Trina D LOL. Thank you and you’re welcome 😊

In all honesty, that needs to be made illegal. No airport has the right to damage your luggage in any way, and every single luggage gets tears or scratches from that disrespectful treatment. It boils my blood, and I always file complaints with the airline, and get my compensation.

@@susiechoban1542 so the compensation makes up for everything right? lol

Sir Babz It literally does? What are you on about? Have you ever flown? They pay me for my luggage, or give me an entirely new luggage. I opt for being given a new luggage while the warranty of my own is still applicable, because I can get it fixed for free, and walk away with a new luggage that I acquire for free. If anything inside is damaged due to the damage the luggage suffered, it’s also covered. Learn your rights, imbecile.

Yes, and a rolled-up sweater or shawl serves as an excellent back pillow. Plus, during the flight, put that cardigan sweater on backwards. It is easier than pulling on correctly and the solid back of a cardigan covers like a blanket.

I don’t know how people travel with shorts and a t shirt even to cooler temperature parts of the country. The plane is usually cold. I always bring a sweater or light jacket and I remain comfortable plus I don’t like anything touching me and my bare skin be it legs or arms.

Anne-Sophie Gill They are affordable, but, as a retailer, I ask you to: Please Avoid Amazon. Buy from a human being. Save somebody’s job.
If a low price is crucial, try Tuesday Morning, Marshall’s, etc. You don’t have to wait for it, and you kept your money in the community.

Which one would you recommend?

Noëlle Bov EBags

used mine from christmas for Rome just this week and it was so cool because my backpack was less bulky and it made packing so much easier - one cube regular clothes, one cube temple attire for the LDS Rome temple - and packing it all back in there on the last day was soooo easy!
and I reserved the tiny cube for souveniers and candy - what goes in there, I am allowed to buy (magnets, dish towels, aprons and such...), other souvenirs I am not allowed to buy 🤣

@@alhambralions5985 Not all of us are close enough to stores for trips like that for it to not be a colossal waste of gas money. Amazon is a life & money saver for my entire family, not to mention a saving grace from the mass amounts of anxiety I get driving through a city just to go to a store on the other side of it for some packing cubes. Use Amazon if you want, it's not going away anytime soon.

LOL Hahah you get meee! Nice to meet a fellow FA!

I do that as well ! :)

Same......go right to the nearest drug store/supermarket

Build for Glory And here I was asking myself when conditioner was a must.

@@user-qi1ke9qu3m Not all of us are blessed with naturally moisturized & non dry hair 😭 Conditioner is always a MUST

I honestly go to dollar tree once I’ve arrived and then buy my shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant (I’ve never flown but I have had long car travels)

I always see those as something you can buy anywhere lol

Matthew Hendrickson Me too!

Me too. Carried it with me on our Disney World . Lasts so long . I carry it with me when I am eating out or waiting on an appointment. I just put my hearings aids on Stream and can then watch a movie or anything else on my phone.

Shes low key really funny

I know! I usually have like 3-4 bottles of bordeaux wine in my bag so I deeply understand your stress level:))

I work as an agent at an airline here in my hometown, and it's small, so everyone does several jobs. Sometimes when we have to go from being a counter agent to gate agent to ramp agent we change clothes and head to the job we were asked to do. Working on ramp, I have seen bags fall off the belt loader. Others toss bags because they're so heavy and tossing them is quicker to relieve pain. Then if bags have fragile things in them, they'll be a fragile sign and everyone is pretty careful not to put anything heavy on top of it. We're also very careful with baby items, such as car seats, strollers, play pens etc.
Our biggest thing to remember is that passengers are watching us handle their luggage from the windows. So we try to remain steady and pace our selves. It's not always easy to do that in certain weather. Obviously if it's raining outside or snow and ice makes it sleak we put down ice to reduce the risk of falling, but we're still not suppose to run (common sense) but when it's cold out and we have to make a deadline with our time, YES we are timed from the minute the plane lands, we have a certain amount of time to make sure everyone is checked in before the 30 minute cut off, and NO after 30 minutes, even 1 minute late, we cannot check in passengers, it's not up to us, the system automatically shuts us out from being able to do so. We sympathize with our passengers but there's nothing we can do even if they're a few minutes or seconds late.
After that we're timed to pull the bridge to the plane, to get everyone on board, to put away and take out luggage from the previous flight and also add gate checked bags, all of it we're timed on, and if WE go over that time. We get a late departure and are penalized for it.
Trust me, our priority being agents is to serve our customers to the best of our ability, and we apologize if something goes wrong out of our control or on our watch.
I personally handle bags gently. I'm only 4'9 so I have to be careful anyway.
But sometimes traveling light and making all this space really helps.
This extra research will help avoid the gate agents policy to tell people what can and cannot go.

@@babywaffles9985 I wish you all the best and all the strength to do this difficult job, I'm sorry if my comment was rude, I totally understand your situation and definitely understood more through your explanation... I wish there was an easier technology and easier system from the higher ups so your job would be less tasking on you,,, thank you for your insight and grateful for your help 🙏🏻
( excuse my English it's not my first language 😅)

@@FunSoSoToTo no worries, I didn't think your comment was rude in the slightest. I just wanted to add my intake on it. But her reenactments weren't far from the truth. I have seen people handle baggage that way and it's not something i condone, but it happens

Scouty D 🤣🤣 thanks. Ohh man, those prop planes are the WORST. You know when you see those propellers you’re gonna be gate checking. Ugh 🤦🏻‍♀️

Natalia Bruscino My first flying experience was for work about 6 years ago and I was SO anxious that my doctor actually prescribed me 2 .25mg ativan, one for each flight lol. And to be honest I really did need them, that’s how stressed I was! But it really does get easier and more comfortable with each flight. You should definitely sign up for every rewards program for airlines and hotels! Traveling for work can be a perk in itself by just getting to experience the world but the rewards you get back from those memberships while not paying a dime are the best. I haven’t paid for a vacation in years! I wish you the best of luck!

@@Crystalballer21 😊 Thank you so much!!

MLTB Haha yes!! Same here with the undergarments 😂 You just never know!

The last few times I have flown (it has been a few years though), my carry on was always gate checked. I use a backpack as my personal bag and keep a change of clothes and toiletries in it. Fortunately, I don't need many electronics when I travel. My phone and headphones will do. I am already stressing about making sure I have chargers ( can never keep up with all those cords as I am accustomed to having to keep one or two work phones with me sometimes and they each have different types of charges that are both different from my personal phone!) silly me to stress since my next trip is a while away and has nothing to do with work; therefore, I will need only the one charger for my personal phone. I do need to look into some of those little containers you used though. I have used multiple types of small bags in the past, but having a set of hard containers would be more handy.

When I first came to the US I was always in the lowliest boarding group and if that’s the case it’s more likely than not that there won’t be anymore overhead space it seems. And that’s why all of these people crowd the gate waiting for their group to be called rather than following instructions and sitting in a comfy chair. It seems that charging for checked luggage really caused this insanity!

Oh man... Sorry to hear about that! I feel ya girl... and Lol thank you so much! I'm glad you're here :)

Carry your gold on your person. If you have anything of sentimental value and it's manageable enough, pack in your luggage. Just remember it might get rifled through or lost.

Gayle Provan Yes, it’s hard to speak for all airlines in an 11 minute video but I hear ya!!

I flew economy to France last month with Air Canada and I was allowed a carry on and a backpack

Some do now but check the website.Ryanair do ..but..you have to buy priority boarding and if(?) they'll gone, tough biscuit.

KLM does tho, i always fly economy (sometimes first, but mostly economy)

And some only allow 7kgs total cabin baggage!

I'm in the same boat and I'm not traveling till February 😂😂

Hahaha Thank you! Cheers to Canada! I love Toronto

Hope it went well!