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Frequent Flyers: "Personal Item"advice?

Peri

Veteran

I don't travel often, and fly less, but this is an issue every time and I want to work on a solution. I recently flew with a wheeled carry-on, a cloth tote bag, and my purse. The tote bag held another cloth bag with my iPad and Kindle, glasses, and snacks. My purse held what it normally does.

My gaming the system when boarding was to put my purse into the tote bag also. I had done this before but there is surely a better solution. It was super heavy and bulky, and awkward too because the tote bag didn't close so things tipped over once and I almost lost my keys.

I can think of two solutions. Find a tote bag that functions as a purse...internal wallet structure built in and pockets for phone and keys...plus room for the extras like the iPad/Kindle/snacks. Pack a smaller purse in the carry-on for use at destination.

Or...still do my two condensed into one but find a better tote, able to be zipped close, and find a smaller purse with the built in wallet pockets, etc, to take down the bulk and weight of a separate wallet.

Both solutions involve buying new bags, so I don't care which. Frequent travelers, what do you do? My main thing is that the tote can't be leather. It needs to be as lightweight as possible...good canvas or nylon. General advice is great, extra points for specific products.

Thanks!

General

42 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Runcarla

Veteran

Travelling light is a passion for me and like you, I use a wheeled roll aboard. My second bag is a very light LePliage into which I put a smaller purse or clutch (with a strap) my iPad, and everything else. The Lepliage does not have internal structure, but it is super light, can hold a lot, and folds down to nothing. Furthermore it is a classic 'purse' but can also be a tote bag for the beach.

I might try using my new floral back pack as my second bag on a future trip. It has a built in padded sleeve for a lap top style device.

Kathie

Veteran

I have a carry-on with backpack straps, which makes me feel like a student, but I love the convenience, and not having the extra weight or space taken up, from the wheels. I put a small envelope style cross body in that, for phone, credit cards, room key, at my destinatatiin, and use my work bag, which holds my laptop as my personal item. I was going to suggest Le Pliage, too- I see a lot of women with those on my flights.

Diana

Veteran

I use a le pliage or similar large zipped nylon tote as well. I’ll usually also have a small or medium sized crossbody that I either toss into the tote or pack empty in my suitcase to use when I get there. If I’m traveling for work (i.e. have my MacBook) the le pliage also doubles as my work bag (with the laptop in a sleeve). It doesn’t have a lot of pockets but I don’t use most of the pockets on my bags anyway. The zip closure is non-negotiable for me, there is no way I’ll travel with an open top bag.

MZ Wallace also makes a bunch of nice travel friendly nylon totes, some with more pockets and organization.

Sara L.

Veteran

I use a large tote for traveling into which I put a small purse. If I need a larger purse at my destination, I pack that into my luggage. For example, if it's just me and DH traveling I can usually use a small purse for the whole trip. However, when traveling with my kids, I usually need a larger purse so that's when I pack the purse in my luggage.

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t work, so my travel is for pleasure, generally. My carryon is a nylon knapsack. I pack my handbag into my checked bag, and then put the things that would normally be in my handbag into a zip nylon bag* and put that in the knapsack. The other things in my knapsack are valuables or breakables, and things for the flight itself. My second carryon, called a personal item, is often a full size camera, for my husband. He takes a lot of photo equipment on our trips. Sometimes he packs my binoculars and pocket camera in his carryon.

*My nylon zip bag is recycled from a Patagonia jacket. It looks similar to the picture

My carryon items:
Ipad
Noise cancelling headphones
Binoculars
Pocket camera
Nanopuff
Waterbottle
Nylon zip bag with handbag items
Paperback
Small knitting project

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think the key is putting anything remotely heavy and not essential while traveling into your checked or wheeled bag. Then a light nylon tote of some type serving as your personal item that's large enough to stow a lightweight handbag and laptop.

Elle

Veteran

Right before I board, I put my purse in zipped weekender bag by Baggu which I can fit under the seat in front of me. It's a cloth bag but has been surprisingly sturdy. I used to use a tote with a snap but, like you, I almost lost items on the plane.

Baggu periodically has sales if you can wait. Also, check the measurements because the bag sizes vary over time (mine is 5 years old).

Liz

Veteran

I use a nylon tote or a backpack. I resisted the backpack for a long time, because I don't use one in everyday life. But it's great for travel.

Laura G

Veteran

I think a bag that zips closed would be an improvement. No worries about its falling over and spilling things. And a smallish crossbody earns its keep the first time you go through the airport and into and out of the taxi with hands free for your luggage and nothing banging against your hip.

Oh, and one thing I always carry in that underseat bag is warm socks! Planes are usually cold and they seem to get more uncomfortable each time I fly. Taking off my shoes and putting on a pair of soft warm socks makes it all more bearable for me.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Elle already said what I wanted to say: there are wheeled bags that are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, but probably much larger than you expect a “personal item” to be. Like these https://www.smartertravel.com/.....ke-flight/ If you’re getting something new, I suggest you look into those. Otherwise, either of your plans work (make sure the tote closes completely) or you could get a bookbag/school backpack.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Peri, I'm on a plane every two weeks, or more frequently. Mostly domestic travel but quite a bit of international too.

I have the bag and packing system that works for me down pat.

My 2 cents, if it is in any way useful to your situation:

I don't do carry on.
MUST have luggage with SPINNING wheels. Game changer - especially when you travel alone and with a doggie in the cabin.
I carry one of my Furlas that coverts into a crossbody. Robust, polished, luxe and very practical. I have to feel fabulous when I fly and do not compromise
Pack heavy items into the checked luggage.
For international flights, I bring hand luggage on wheels and a Furla. Hand luggage hooks onto my checked suitcase. I covert my Furla into a crossbody - Bob's your uncle. Hands-free and all the space I need. My Furlas carry EVERYTHING. My hand luggage is usually empty on the way somewhere. I fill it up with fun stuff and groceries on the way back from a trip.
On domestic flights, Sam is my hand luggage. I carry him in a soft carrier, and a Furla. When I collect my checked luggage, I take Sam out the carrier, and hook the carrier onto my larger suitcase. Sam walks next to me or is in my arms. He's a very good boy.
My luggage is never overweight, and sometimes I take public transport too.

texasgal

I travel a lot (about 10 countries in last year) and have a Lo and Son's travel bag (smaller OG and larger OMG). It has compartments for iPad, iPhone, etc (including a zippered compartment), zips closed, has a "sleeve" so it fits (and stays put) over the handle of the carry-on, and fits comfortably under the seat even in the teeniest economy section. I usually bring a small clutch that holds glasses + iPhone that fits easily in this bag.
I really love my bag plus they have the best customer service ever!

https://www.loandsons.com/page.....oulder-bag

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Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I travel quite a bit and my advice would be to check that wheeled bag, and use a nice lightweight Le Pliage tote for the things you might need in the cabin.

rachylou

Veteran

I’m a luggage checker and then I have a tiny wheeled backpack.

nemosmom

Veteran

When I fly I use a Briggs & Riley shopping tote (fits under the seat in front of me and has generous interior pockets; I like to sort and divide my items: snacks, ipad, wipes, sanitizer, small makeup bag, etc) and I pack an empty small nylon crossbody inside the tote for me to use when I get where I'm going. My wallet is super small and fits in the small nylon bag or in my jacket pocket.

Briggs & Riley has a lifetime product guarantee and their bags are REALLY durable. I use their laptop bag almost daily and it has taken a good beating and still looks brand new. https://www.briggs-riley.com/s...../tote-bags

JAileen

Veteran

I forgot to mention: I put my knapsack under the seat in front for take off and landing, but pull it out for the rest of the flight and tuck it behind my legs. Then I have more leg room, and better access to things I might want during the flight.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh, if we’re talking what we actually do....
I don’t have a bag anywhere near as nifty as those I posted a link to earlier. I got this at Target, I think for around $30. We’ve had it for a few years. As long as it isn’t packed tight, it can fit under the seat & counts as a personal item. Size 11 men’s shoe is for scale.

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SW prof

Be aware that airlines vary greatly as to the size restrictions for a "personal item," and how energetically they enforce them (which varies sometimes depending on how full the flight is, etc.). And once you start talking European budget airlines, or really small planes to remote locations, then things get way more restrictive. If you're just on regular US domestic, you won't have too much problem. When taking carryon only, I use a wheeled case, a very lightweight backpack and the crossbody purse shown here, and throw the purse in just as I board. I like the crossbody for sightseeing, etc., and during the trip often use the backpack for corralling odds and ends, or grocery shopping, not really as a backpack. But the backpack is great for my stuffed animals who travel with me!

Signet bag in Italian leather

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I travel a lot, both nationally and internationally. And for me the character of the trip determines what I bring into the cabin. But no matter what, I must bring my laptop. So I need an underseat bag that accommodates it.

If I am doing a city trip I usually use my Rebecca Minkoff hobo. Or my Le Pliage tote. Computer, phone, iPad, water bottle, wallet, cosmetics, scarf, keys—. All manner of things will fit in there. I take a smaller bag inside my main suitcase.

I usually check a bag if I’m going to be away in a cooler place for more than a week. I need the room for footwear options and sweaters etc. My luggage is Briggs and Riley and I love it. A rolling carry on ( which I sometimes check) and a regular suitcase.

For a trip that will involve hiking and outdoor stuff I use a Patagonia knapsack as my carry on and put a purse inside it.

I have also travelled with my cat and then do as Angie does. Max is my personal item and my Pliage or RM is my additional in cabin. I often bring a clutch in my luggage too.

Keix

Veteran

I travel a fair amount but I refuse to check a bag when flying domestically. I have a large wardrobe but somehow have no problem pulling out a "uniform" when it comes to travel packing. Luggage-wise, I recently replaced my rolling carry-on with the Away Larger Carry-On and it really does fit more capacity than a standard hard-sided carry-on. I don't do soft-sided rolling luggage any more because it's too easy to overpack and duffel bags don't offer enough protection for my stuff. I also swear by packing cubes and packing shoes in individual shoe bags / plastic bags (then you can puzzle-fit them more easily).

But your question was about the "personal item"... I have several bags that I use, depending on the length of my trip and how much stuff I'm carrying.

1) Lo & Sons OG bag: I originally got the OMG and returned it for the OG so that I can easily fit a 13" Macbook in lengthwise (the pocket is big enough on the OMG but you have to slide it in diagonally). Anyway, this has turned out to be my biggest-capacity personal item bag. It's too bulky to use day-to-day once I get to my destination so I'll throw in a folded-up Longchamp Le Pliage.

2) Tumi Voyageur M Nylon Tote - Got this as my daily work tote and loved it so much that I've started using it as a personal item for travel when I don't need to fit quite as much stuff. It's missing the capacity of the domed top of the OG bag, which can fit a large water bottle or a sweater, but the organizational system is a lot better (e.g. phone-sized slip pocket near the handles). Also has a built-in padded laptop pocket.

3) Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote - I use this mostly as a purse and usually take it folded up for travel inside of a larger personal item, but if I'm traveling "light on the plane" (i.e. checking a bag in the hold or piggybacking on my companion's luggage) I will use it as a personal item sometimes. No internal organization so I need a laptop sleeve. Since I got the Tumi bag, which is about the same size and almost the same weight with much better organization, I don't see the need to use my Longchamp as a personal item any more. But it's still a GREAT touristing purse if you want more carrying capacity than a crossbody without the theft danger of a backpack.

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Tumi Voyageur - M Nylon Tote

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kkards

Veteran

Backpack—it’s a game changer. As we get ready to board my handbag slips into the pack. Pack usually has a work laptop (and all the electronical cords & mouse). personal iPad, scarf, waterbootle. I use a lightweight pack from mz Wallace, it expands and zips closed.

Peri

Veteran

I knew I was asking the right people! So many good suggestions! The majority seem to go with a tote that a smaller bag can be slipped into so I'm going to start with looking for that combo.

So many mentioned Le Pilage. I was looking at those on the Nordstrom site and have one question...do those rounded leather shoulder straps dig in when the bag is loaded? It seems like flat straps would be more comfortable with spreading out the weight, but no one has mentioned that as a problem.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Mine don’t dig in but I also don’t load it particularly full or heavy. Just a change of clothes, toiletries, iPad, charger, and a water bottle.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

They don’t bother my shoulders and I do sometimes load it up n

Diana

Veteran

The straps don’t bother me and I load mine up daily.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Laugh all you like. It fits the bill, for a price I could afford. And if whoever I’m meeting turns their nose up at it, then maybe I learned something useful about them.

rachylou

Veteran

Back to say all my bags come from Target... ok, well, my uncle took my suitcase when his died, and I bought new luggage online from a store in FL.. ‘IT Luggage - ‘World’s Lightest.’ ‘

I like Target because they have fun with fashion and everything is lightweight and cheap. I used to travel HEAVILY. I’m talking my only full day at home was Saturday. I will never buy expensive luggage again nor anything with any weight to it. I go with the expectation that everything will be destroyed or lost in transit or stolen.

Lol. I’m not bitter at all about the many suitcase losses or neck pain I’ve experienced...

Peri

Veteran

Fashintern, that's what my recent flight packing was pretty much exactly. Mine didn't zip though, hence the close disaster and wish to have something that closes.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yikes! Not zipping is HUGE trouble. If you zoom in on my picture, you'll see the zipper teeth and pull. There is also a zip pocket on one side, useful for the boarding pass, plus small slip pockets inside on both sides.

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