When your luggage goes home but you don't (Long)

MsMaven

I need ideas for a travel bag to take on the airplane. I can't carry heavy stuff because of my back, but my current bag was completely inadequate at the end of our Christmas trip to Chicago.

We arrived early at O'Hare and turned in our rental car on the morning of the 28th. The weather had turned cold and there was a light snow coming down. (Several days it was warmer in Chicago than it was in San Jose!) Our flight was on time, but then there was a delay. The light snow turned into an ice storm. For the first time in my life I watched with fascination as a plane was de-iced. We boarded our plane, then deplaned and boarded and deplaned again. 1,300 flights out were cancelled, and nearly all incoming flights as well. Another 300 at Midway were cancelled.

We rebooked on a later flight, but at close to 11 pm it was cancelled. By then we couldn't get a flight until Thursday. Good thing we hadn't made plans for NY Eve, and luckily our cat sitter was available to come a few more days. Our son offered to pick us up, but now it was midnight so we went to the Hilton, where DH has ranking on Hilton Honors. Well, they were full but helped us find another hotel. In the meantime, we were told not to even try to get our luggage back.The airport set up cots with pillows and blankets for at least 200, but we couldn't stay there for three days!

So there we were--and we both came down with colds, and Dh didn't have extra prescription medications. I had extra thyroid and supplied him with some--and if he'd wanted I'm sure he could have gotten an emergency supply of the others.

We only our carry on luggage. i had my Sketchers airplane shoes, (fabric) and now there were several inches of snow on the ground. The next morning we went to Walgreens for supplies and then to Target for pjs, extra tees,(2 ls for $12!) and for me a fleece jacket, all on sale.

In all my travel years I've never been caught without luggage. On 9/11 I was in Greece with a friend and we got to spend an extra week in London, but we had our luggage. Dh had his luggage follow him around Europe once. He attended meetings in Paris wearing a too-small blazer lent to him by scandalized co-workers who didn't think it went with his jeans..

I now know that I need a better travel bag. I need a larger, lightweight bag with outside pockets. Any suggestions? My lovely new Longchamp bag was fine for shopping, but not for travel.

We did get home on NY Eve after flying to Philadelphia, then to SFO, where we had to get transportation to San Jose. Our luggage was waiting for us in the San Jose airport.

10 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from MsMaven

anne

Veteran

What a saga! (No helpful advice from me I'm afraid - I just take the bag I use for cycling in to work)

10 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

What a miserable experience. I'm so sorry. Considering we live in snow country, it's surprising that I've only seen deicing done once.

I've had my luggage delayed several times. The worst was when I was in Mexico City for 4 days without my luggage. I had a wool pullover sweater and cords to wear. I was a teenager, and parents didn't want to buy clothes because they kept thinking my suitcase would show up any second. But it didn't.

I started packing a change of clothes (clean top, underwear and socks) in my carry on, in a squished ziploc bag. My carryon is a North Face daypack, and my checked bag is an REI wheely beast. I think the backpack is just easier to deal with while traveling. I also use a small Timbuk2 messenger bag for a purse. I put it at the bottom of the backpack when we're at the airport or on the plane.

When we board our dogs, I always pack extra food in case we're delayed.

10 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Oh man! I've been there, MsMaven, and at O'Hare too - one night many years ago I did sleep on the floor in one of the terminals there because I couldn't get a hotel room after my connecting flight was canceled. Glad you made it home eventually.

I do the same thing as JAileen, I pack extra pairs of underwear and socks and another top that will go with whatever bottom I'm wearing (jeans most of the time) in my carry-on during the winter months. I have a few cosmetics in the small zip bag I normally carry in my purse, so I don't bother with anything extra there. I don't bother with PJs, figuring I can sleep in my shirt (or my DH's undershirt) in a hotel if I have to. I don't always do all that if it's a short trip, or if it's during the summer months, but if it's winter and I'm flying into/through places where the weather gets bad, I definitely do.

Sounds like you might need something a little bigger than the Longchamp, but not so big it's a pain to carry around. I prefer bags that are small enough to go under the seat so I have access to everything, and it's hard to beat a backpack for that. I almost never use mine in other areas of life, but for flights it's ideal - it fits all my tech stuff, a book or two, medication etc., and the extra clothes, and still makes a slimmer profile than most totes and is more ergonomic - nice if you have to hustle across a few terminals to catch your connecting flight!

I think my worst luggage-related incident was when I was going to a small town in Connecticut where I knew absolutely no one for a three day seminar and my luggage got misplaced and wasn't able to make it until the next day. Thankfully I had already planned to rent a car, so I stopped by a Walmart on my way to the town I was staying in and picked up some basic toiletries, a nightgown, and another top to wear the next day. Thankfully my luggage was delivered to my hotel early the next morning, so I wasn't without my stuff for long.

10 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I think you derserve a big pat on the back for handling an extraordinary situation very well!

A few years ago, I was caught in Heathrow when the whole of Northern Europe was shut down because of the volcanic ash cloud. When it became obvious that I wouldn't be flying back to North America for at least a week and the only hotels near the airport were flea traps renting for astronomical prices, I booked a bed and breakfast in Oxford for a week. It was an unexpected addition to my month-long holiday, but I had a great time.

To my way of thinking, even a well-planned journey can have some unexpected adventures. As long as I have my passport, a credit card, and a positive attitude, things always seem to work out--plus I get some great stories.

Other than packing an extra supply of essential meds, I don't think you need to change a thing. Travel threw you a curve ball, you handled it, and now you have an extra fleece jacket to wear while gardening.

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

So sorry for your saga but it seems you handled it like a champ staying positive through it all.

Maybe not for you, but I use a rolling carry on (Briggs and Riley) and a backpack that hooks onto it using a removable cord from the rolling suitcase. I can (and have) rolled it though airports around the globe using only one finger. I understand maybe you want/need a smaller bag but if health is a concern I would go for a roll aboard and possibly another bag that hooks on and rolls together as one unit. No back stress at all and you can easily pack a spare set of clothes, shoes, wrap, book or tablet, bathroom stuff etc.

Good luck.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Boy, do I sympathize. I've never been without my luggage, but I did have a close call on one of our recent cruises. We got to our stateroom and kept waiting for our luggage to arrive. Hours later, still no luggage. We had to go down to Guest Services, and they pointed us to a bag that didn't have tags on it. It was ours, but the paper Carnival tags had somehow ripped off (we attached them as instructed), so there was no ID. After that experience, I ordered some plastic cruise ship luggage tags from Amazon. They attach with wires, and you slip your paper luggage tag inside the clear plastic sleeve. That way, your tag doesn't get torn off.

10 years ago

VioletMyra

Active Member

Thank you everyone who commented on this thread. I've gained some useful tips here. I adore the way you willingly share ideas and practical advice.
Best wishes.

10 years ago

shiny

Veteran

This is why I carry on for all my trips. My carry on is Victronix. I have a Briggs Reilly bag that is generously sized and goes over the handle. Using Eagle Creek packing system, I can pack quite a bit in these two bags, enough for 2 weeks and probably longer, depending on the trip.

You have to be rigorous about what you pack though -- no more than two pairs of shoes (and the third pair, the bulkiest pair, on your feet). So tall boots on your feet, dressy shoes + flats in the bag. Those go in first, along with flat iron, hairbrush (I use a big round one), and toiletries (which are in a pouch bag so they conform to empty space). Everything has it's own bag.

Then I have another smaller pouch in which I tuck in a set of silk long johns which I use to sleep in, or to layer under my clothes for warmth. These take up very little space since they are silk and lightweight. I've been very glad to have them handy even on trips to warmer climes -- I had to pull them out on a trip to the beach when we got stuck in the Boston airport and I was only wearing a maxi dress. I was so cold in the airport, I just got the long johns out and popped them under the maxi! I also add my jewelry into this same pouch, as the silk long johns protect them. Silk is also good because it washes out in the sink and dries fast.

Then I have a larger compressible pouch in which I put my underwear, cami's, tees and socks, and this goes in next.

Next comes the clothes: I use the Eagle creek folder which fits perfectly in my bag on top, and which compresses the clothes -- blouses, dress shirts, pants, dresses, topper, scarf -- into a nice neat stack. You'd be amazed at how much I can squeeze in there!!! On my last business trip, I was able to pack 4 blouses, 4 dresses, a cardigan, 3 scarves, and a pair of jeans. I didn't even wear all of it.

Cardigans instead of pullovers. Cashmere packs better than bulkier wool sweaters. I take two toppers -- wear one, pack one. I wear one coat and squeeze in an extra coat option, like my Burberry raincoat or a packable puffer or leather jacket, into the Briggs Reilly (in its own bag to keep it from getting mussed).

Then in the Briggs I tuck a clutch or cross over bag, a laptop, a book, charging cords, extra coat, umbrella. There's still room for more -- I keep it a little loose for stashing away my scarf and hat or water bottle purchased post-security.

What's nice about the Eagle Creek organizers is that if I want to open my carry on in the middle of the airport to retrieve something, my stuff isn't on display for the whole world to see. Also when I get to my destination it keeps me organized and I know where everything is. Highly recommend!

The only time I checked a bag in the past 2 years was when we went on a 6 week trip that covered multiple climates. That was a challenge to pack for. I packed as above, plus also took a checked bag that DH and I shared for our extra stuff.

10 years ago

anchie

Veteran

Only time I was without my luggage was two years ago when I went to 5 days seminar in Rome, and my bag arrived on the last day. But I was kind of happy that I had excuse to shop

10 years ago

Anonymous

For our 8-day trip to Cozumel, we only checked one bag, and carried the other 2.

10 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Wow--lots of good ideas and advice here. Thank you. Dh's idea of packing is that more is better. He does use an Eagle Creek--it's amazing how much he can get in there. Shoes are more and more a problem for me because of my feet.

Shiny, I love the idea of the silk long johns. I have some tops, but don't think I have bottoms. Great idea to just take them on board with you.

We stayed in Schaumburg and the after Christmas sales were on, but neither of us was up for much shopping. We did ride around the parking lot at the mall there.

I'm going to do some shopping around when I feel better. You've given me some solid ideas.

10 years ago

Category