A Case for Carry On — The Budget Luxury Traveler

Topo Designs Travel Bag, making gate hopping at 6am a non-issue!

Back in the day, when checked bags were free of charge and suitcases were large, few people bothered being creative with their packing. Giant wheely bags reigned supreme, and many Americans favored the more-is-more mentality. I don’t need to tell you that the game has changed. But I’d like to make a case for carry on that has absolutely nothing to do with the cost of checking luggage.

Luggage itself has vastly improved in the last few decades. Modern carry-on bags streamline your packing and maximize space for your personal effects—there are fancy shoe pockets and well placed mesh and zippers. Personally, I tend to prefer something more simple. I want my bag to adapt to whatever type of packing I require, rather than making me conform to the generic organization most luggage has. If you’re curious what bag I use, check out My Kit. Find a carry-on bag that suits your packing style and stick with it. It will make packing easier over time!

My main gripe with checking luggage is that it’s inefficient. Tight connection? Even if you make the plane, your luggage likely won’t. Landing late, but still have time to catch the last light rail into town? Too bad, you missed it while waiting for your bag to drop at the carousel. Checked luggage not only slows your roll, it also provides multiple opportunities for your trip to be negatively impacted by someone else. TAKE BACK CONTROL, starting with your bags. Never again will you be the sad traveler wearing the same jeans and t-shirt for three days in Maui while you wait for the airline to deliver your carefully packed selection of bikinis.

One of the other big appeals of carry on is that the manageable size of your bag means you can easily tote your own luggage from town to town without requiring a small army to transport your goods. You’re a clutter-free, independent adult who can reasonably lift 25 pounds without throwing her back out. No stairs in that charming third floor walkup you rented? No problem! Tight quarters in the last hostel bunk room available tonight? Slide that little suitcase under the bed and out of the chaos of unpacked backpackers. Carry-on bags are small and streamlined, a major plus in just about any situation you and your luggage might find yourselves in while on the road.

My main argument for carry on is that it forces you to really evaluate what you need to pack. I promise you it is possible to fit all your necessities into that compact 9 x 14 x 22 inch space for a three or 21 day trip. When packing only a carry on, you’ll quickly realize what’s important for your vacation. Hint: you do not need seven different pairs of shoes. You do need seasonally appropriate layering and footwear, as well as enough undergarments and shirts to avoid offending others with your body odor. You may not know it yet, but you always need a bathing suit. Just like becoming a Budget Luxury Traveler means Defining Your Style and honing in on what your particular vacation is all about, it also means refining your packing to match. Specific packing tips are coming down the pipe in future blog entries. We’ll be working toward the ultimate goal: to wear every single item you pack!

A thoughtful, limited selection of clothing ensures you don’t waste time with what’s not important. Carrying those choice items with you from door-to-door keeps your transit streamlined and is the only guarantee that you and your precious cargo will arrive simultaneously at your destination. I challenge you to be efficient and self reliant, say goodbye to checked bag fees, and embrace the carry-on lifestyle!