carry-on luggage for travel to auditions????

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Ok, ladies and gents, I know this has been discussed before here and there, but I am in a hurry for an answer, so am making the bold move of starting a thread devoted to this topic.</p>

<p>Basically, I am wondering if anyone can make a recommendation as to some luggage/bags that roll and which can be "carried on" for plane flights to various auditions. I frankly don't feel comfortable checking baggage with her audition clothing, music (of course that will never leave her possession ... wouldn't dream of it), dance shoes, and so on when we head for out of town auditions that require us to fly or take the train.</p>

<p>I vaguely recall several people recommending certain bags (LL Bean?) but if anyone wants to take pity on me and give me the scoop, I will be forever grateful! :)</p>

<p>Checking bags and having them get lost or fail to make the flight is NOT an option. I suppose we can try to stuff everything into the small duffels and backpacks we have, but that would mean lots of ironing when we get there.</p>

<p>Bring on the advice, oh wise ones! I frankly don't know what I would do without y'all. Thanks in advance.
NMR</p>

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<p>If you do end up going with a duffel type bag, have you tried rolling clothes with tissue paper when you pack - it makes a huge difference with wrinkles. Rather than fold, you put tissue paper over the piece of clothing and roll them up together. If you can, then put tissue paper between layers when you pack.</p>

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<p>Thanks, cartera45. I <em>have</em> tried that, as someone told me it was an old dry cleaner's trick! :) (By the way, PM me when you have a chance so you can tell me how your D's auditions are going. At my D's Syracuse audition, we met and chatted at length with one of your D's classmates, from the theater dept.)</p>

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<p>Don't forget; you can carry on 2 bags apiece. What we did was carry a backpack (with purse inside, so it only counts as one carry-on) with lightweight stuff (so it's easy to carry) and then you can use any standard carry-on size rolling suitcase for everything else. Keep your ID, small amount of cash, in your pockets, or use a very tiny waist/fanny pak type thing that looks like a belt. More than enough space that way for a weekend audition trip. As long as you keep the heavier items in the suitcase it's pretty easy to get through the airport like that. Besides, usually you can attach the backpack onto the roller bag's handle, anyway. Go to any airline website and you can get the carry-on bag dimensions allowed.</p>

<p>TIP: Marshalls & TJ Maxx often have great deals on luggage from mismatched sets (I've gotten Samsonite and American Tourister in the past, all rolling carry-on size); check the labels to see if they're airline approved carry-on size.</p>

<p>NOTE TO ALL: Please, unless desperate, DON'T CHECK YOUR BAGGAGE. For 2 years now, when D flew back to college after winter break, her luggage was lost. Both times, it was delivered to her; once within 12 hours, once within 24 hours. She will travel light from now on, no more checked baggage :)<br>
No one would want that kind of nail-biting aggravation on an audition trip: keep your bags with you!!!</p>

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<p>IS there a Tuesday Morning or Steinmart near you? They are a great place to buy good luggage at deep discounts. For Xmas I bought my daughter a set of that poly International luggage - it's kind of plastic and hard. Its great and expands and also is regulation carryon size with a handle for rolling.</p>

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<p>Guys, thanks. Does most luggage come labelled as official "carry on" size?</p>

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<p>Hers did. Here is a site that lists the regulations by airline of carryon </p>

<p><a href="http://www.luggageonline.com/about_airlines.cfm#airlines%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.luggageonline.com/about_airlines.cfm#airlines&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>The backpack I mentioned carrying on airplane is an average "bookbag" or "messenger bag" size; nothing too huge: but it's amazing how much soft, lightweight stuff you can cram in those things, LOL :) As long as it fits under the seat, you're okay!</p>

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<p>I would check the airline site. Our last trip was American Airlines. They allowed a 22" rolling suitcase and another carryon personal item. For the second my daughter brought a backpack as BIGIS described and I brought a smaller suitcase within their dimensions - I put my purse inside of it to limit to the TWO allowed. So we had 2 suitcases, a backpack and another suitcase between us. We had plenty of room for 2 audition outfits, 2 dance outfits, tap shoes, ballet and jazz shoes, makeup, etc etc....everything we needed for a 2 night stay.</p>

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<p>Packing advice: Wear your heaviest, bulkiest items on the plane/train. Plan on taking only a couple of audition outfits. Make your choices at home, being sure to include shoes, undergarments, and simple jewelry (if desired) for each outfit. One pair of shoes that will serve 2 outfits would be a great choice if possible. Have a little "fashion show" at home that will insure confident choices. Dancewear really doesn't take up all that much room, and can be rinsed out between auditions if needed. Character and tap shoes will be the bulkiest items, and depending on where you're auditioning, may never be used. I understand it's best to have them with you, though! I pack my own bag as lightly as possible, and take on D's "extras" that won't fit comfortably in her own bag.<br>
Luggage: Lightweight with wheels. You can find appropriate carry-on sizes in all price ranges. If you plan on stuffing your bags as full as possible, invest in something that is made well and can handle the stress of travel. The last thing you want is to be on the trip and have the zipper break, or a seam bust! Great suggestions above on where to go for discounted luggage.</p>

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<p>Glad you posted this. I went to the airline sites to look at the dimensions of the 2nd piece - the handbag or tote bag. I find the airlines are not all alike. </p>

<p>AA is 36" L + H + W</p>

<p>Northwest - 15" X 11" x 6" (that's 32")</p>

<p>Midwest Airlines - 15" X 18" x 6" (that's 39") </p>

<p>So do check</p>

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<p>Another great carry-on bag that holds a lot is one of the larger bag/totes made by Vera Bradley. You can put your purse in this one too- and have a fun bag to boot!</p>

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<p>Just a reminder to everyone -- please keep in mind the new airline rules about carrying liquids/toiletries in your carry-on luggage! As we are preparing to fly out tomorrow for an audition, we want to follow the recommendation to not check any luggage, just take carry-ons. I'm realizing that we really have to plan ahead to make this work. The last thing we'd want is to have all my daughter's toiletry items confiscated at the airport! I just looked on the Delta Airlines website, and here are the rules on liquids and containers:</p>

<p>"Liquids and Containers
Most countries now prohibit or strictly limit the size of containers with liquids, gels, aerosols, and pastes (including the empty containers) that you can bring in your carry-on luggage. Taking a few minutes to prepare may help to prevent some real hassles at security or even the frustration of having personal property confiscated. </p>

<p>Examples of liquids and gels included in these security measures are:</p>

<p>Beverages
Creams
Hair gel
Hair spray
Shampoo
Suntan lotion
Toothpaste
Other items of similar consistency
You'll go smoothly through the security checkpoints in most countries if you follow these guidelines for your carry-on baggage.</p>

<p>For all liquids, gels, aerosols, and pastes limit each container to a maximum size of 3.0 oz/100ml.
Place all such items in a single quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
Remove your quart-size bag from your carry-on and place in the provided bin at the security checkpoint.</p>

<p>Read the TSA's 3-1-1 For Carry Ons policy.</p>

<p>In some airports it's possible to purchase toiletry items of the approved size and take them on the plane once you've cleared security. However, if your continuing travel takes you through airport checkpoints in other countries where they're prohibited, they could still be confiscated. </p>

<p>Special provisions are usually made for necessary items such as medications and baby formula."</p>

<p>** Also, an fyi-- on my last flight, my small liquid-type items were in a clear plastic zip-up make-up bag. They let it go, but told me to make sure that next time they were in a zip-loc type bag! They're getting more strict all the time!</p>

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<p>Also, do not overpack :), on our first audition trip, we packed 'ready for anything unexpected'..., keep it to your basic needs, since you are schlepping everything around you will be glad you did not pack that hardcover novel, bring a paperback instead. Moms (not really applicable to Dads) wear comfortable shoes, not sure why, but I wore heels during D's first audition (needless to say, very unnecessary :D).</p>

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<p>MTgrlsmom, I admire you, because I gave up the heels long ago. I usually wear my Converse sneakers (yes, I am old, but I ain't dead yet!) or my Doc Martens to schlep my daughter around to auditions. I used to live in heels. Now, I hardly ever wear them if I can help it. :)</p>

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<p>NotMamaRose, I wore killer (literally) heels and I was all 'interview ready' (???), on the other hand D did get accepted that day, so some food for thought perhaps ;).</p>

<p>Only kidding of course.</p>

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<p>The more important question is: what shoes was D wearing? ;)</p>

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<p>NMR - you got it :D! D wore open-toed dress shoes with a modest heel for her songs; for one of her monologues, she actually took her shoes off (one particular monologue would be kind of odd if she had dressy shoes on). It does tend to get people's attention though, because she does not really look the "shoe-less girl type" (if there is such a thing)...</p>

<p>Best of luck to your D on your continued audition trail!</p>

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<p>My advice to all who are traveling to snowy/icy climates...plan on wearing your sensible shoes/boots while trekking to and from audition sites. Bring along your fashion statement shoes, if desired, and change once you're inside. This advice is also for all the kids auditioning, not just the parents. Nobody is going to care what you look like outside while you're braving the elements. Dress for comfort and safety! For the girls, if you're wearing a dress for the audition, consider donning some leggings or pants underneath, and remove them once inside. Wishing everyone happy, warm, and safe audition experiences!</p>

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<p>Regarding the shoe issue: I know we've all suggested that heels are the best option for the singing/acting portion of the audition. But be careful not to overdo it -- a student of mine went to an audition last weekend in VERY high heels -- maybe 3-4 inches? She's very comfortable in them, but the audition panel hated them, and commented that she couldn't possibly move normally while wearing them. They asked her to do part of her monologue again -- without the shoes.</p>