On the Road Again
I feel like I’ve been living on airplanes this month! First a trip to the Reward Style conference in Dallas, then a quick trip to Houston for a brand and now I’m in Canada having quality time with my daughter. I haven’t seen her since Christmas so we have lots of catching up to do.
Here’s how I traveled to Vancouver on Friday. I had a fun surprise when one of my readers recognized me and said hello in the terminal:)
A commenter on Instagram complained that I was the reason it took so long to board flights these days. She was annoyed that I only travel using carry-on bags. I assured her I don’t slow anyone down. These are narrow enough to roll down the aisle and I can quickly lift the rolling one into the overhead compartment. Maybe she has never had a bag misdirected by an airline, but once was enough for me.
The truth is because I’m short my bags look large by comparison. They’re not. The suitcase is a very old 19″ Hartmann roller that fits every carry-on regulation, other than prop planes.
The top bag contains my purse, shoes, laptop etc so is considered my one personal bag. It fits under every seat, even on the aisles which are always narrower.
My waist pack contains my passport or license, a credit card, lipstick, hand sanitizer and phone. This keeps everything easy to reach and speeds my time through security. I can also remove the waist strap and carry it as a small clutch in the evening.
In fun news, our group of over 40 bloggers was featured in the Reward Style blog which I see as a positive sign. With the thousands of images they could have chosen from the conference, it’s important that they recognized us! Style for women over 40, 50, 60 and beyond is relevant and we’re not invisible!
Do you check luggage?
Have you ever had a holiday ruined because an airline lost your luggage?
Thanks for reading and have a great day.
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Airlines are making travel more difficult with all their latest rules. Charging for checked bags cause most people to start carry on their luggage, unfortunately there are some that believe that the limit are not meant for them. Some come back from their trip with carry on bag, their duffel bag and a couple of shopping bags bouncing them off the other passengers as they move up the aisle. The airlines also made loading up in planes more difficult by also doing away with food service. Now besides what we can bring on the plane with our luggage, now we can juggle food to eat on the plane, which can delay passengers getting into their seats by setting food down in their seat, stowing their luggage, picking up their food so they can sit down. I have traveled both carry on only and checked bags, it depends on my trips. If you follow the airlines guidelines for carry on no one should complain. Sorry for the long comment.
Your comment perfectly describes most loading problems, Roxanne! The balancing of food and drinks is some of the worse. A full cup of hot coffee, a small child, 2 carry ons and a bag of food is a recipe for slow loading. The airline service is going down as our prices are going up!
My husband and I challenge ourselves to ONLY travel with carry-on luggage. The reasons: the airline can’t lose our luggage, it’s easy to handle our own stuff (don’t need carts), and it makes us think carefully about how many clothes we REALLY need. We’ve traveled like this to Europe for 3 week twice…no problem! I will never go back to big bulky suitcases until I absolutely have to.
That’s an excellent point, Heidi. I think many women toss in extra pairs of shoes or outfits because there’s room in an enormous checked bag… then end up never wearing them.
Uh, sorry, but I have to agree with the Instagram commenter. It does slow things down and not everyone can have carry on luggage, there just isn’t the space. I tend to see people who only use carry-on as selfish and feeling they are more important. Sorry to offend, but that’s how it seems. If there isn’t space for everyone’s carry-on, why do you think you should be entitled?
We are all entitled to one small carry on and a personal bag. Many peoples carry on bags are huge and take more than their fair share of the overhead storage. Mine don’t and that’s the point. They’re small, compact and only use the space allotted for me.
You look great and beautiful, Jennifer! Hmmm, wish I can have a chance to travel…happy holiday to you! ????
Thank you Kristin!
Jennifer,
Have you heard of custom made bags in Vancouver by Vesper Faering? I am thinking of ordering one when I visit my daughter next weekend.
Ever eaten Thai at Bob says in West Van?
Hi Joan! I have not but will Google and check them out. We love Thai food but haven’t eaten there. Is it fabulous!
Can you tell me the brand of your luggage and waist clutch? I would love to have bags that easily fit down the plane aisles!
The luggage is by Hartmann but I don’t think they make a 19″ one anymore. Someone must thought so Google might help locate one. The waist pack is from
Louis Vuitton, over 25 years old.
I never check my bags after the airline sent my husbands suit to another state! He needed it for a job interview the next day. We had 20 minutes to buy him a new suit before the mall closed! We are carry on only now.
What a disaster, Tracey! Those kind of things are great motivators to just use carry-on.
Hi Jennifer
I’m a newbie to your site from Sydney Australia. So thrilled to follow your travels, ideas and fabulous dress style!
From now on I’m a ‘on board luggage girl’ too and I’ve just printed off your travel wardrobe organiser for my next work conference!
Having just turned 60 – I’ve chosen the motto….its just a number.
Best wishes
Robyn
Welcome, Robyn! I’m so glad you’re here. I love that chart, it makes things so simple. It is just a number and needn’t limit us.
I would like to know how you manage to carry all your necessary toiletries and cosmetics using only carry on bags. How are you able to fit everything into a quart-sized bag? Would you mind sharing what you carry and how you do it?
I use sample sizes of liquids when I can and purchase additional if need be on the road. I buy moisturizer in small tubes and sample size shampoo etc. When I go on holiday, I stick half in a zip lock in my husbands bag too 🙂
Carry on only. We did a month in Europe, two weeks of which were on a river cruise. I didn’t feel underdressed or lacking in variety.
Packing efficiently means I’m not stressing about what to wear everyday.
Our latest vacation was two and a half weeks with a secondary city in between. Never having flown South West and drawing a late code, we decided to check our luggage. We also had larger bottles of liquids since we buy full size toothpaste, mouthwash, etc once we arrive. Our little luggage was the last off the carousel and the frame was bent on my husband’s bag. Our return flight was carry on, no issues.
I’m not sure I could do a cruise with just carry on. Maybe.
Liquids are an issue so I purchase extra at my destination if I must. I’ve done cruises using a carry-on, it’s doable. Sorry to hear about his bag:(
Over the years, I have had several mishaps with luggage but I still check it. The worst was a two week trip to Australia and one of my two bags went to London for seven days! So, for one week I was wearing K-Mart Australia t-shirts and jeans. I did not expect it to take an entire week to be reunited with my clothing! On its return, the bag got held up in customs in Sydney for a day, then it was flown to Cairns where a courier drove it up to Port Douglas. Fortunately, my swimsuit was not in the missing bag so I didn’t have to buy new to snorkle the Great Barrier Reef! Enjoy your stay with your daughter and her cute little pug!
That’s a scary story, Terry and one that strikes terror into this traveler’s heart. You sound like a great sport about it…I would have flipped out.
Good morning!
After such a cold and soggy day yesterday, I’m so glad that you and your daughter woke up to sunshine today! Vancouver is such a beautiful city city for wandering, but especially so in the sun.
Have a great visit????????????
Cheers, Marjorie
It is stunning this morning and we are heading out for the day:) Thanks, Marjorie.