I was happy to gate check once, but it was a connecting flight. Of course the connecting flight was hit by lightening and so we couldn’t take off. Delayed delayed delayed…and I finally got a flight into Dullas (was flying into Reagan). So got there at 3 am without luggage. Big business meeting the next morning and we were told specifically NOT to wear jeans. Of course I had jeans on.
I think my one little bag got there the next afternoon. Not happy.
Usually if I have to gate check , yes, the bag is waiting right outside the plane before you head up into the terminal. Not this time in NYC - had to go to baggage claim but it was surprisingly a very quick process.
I know there isn’t much that can be done about it but man, I watched them toss my suitcase onto the conveyor belt heading downward when we were forced to check at the gate and whoa, the force of that throw, I could imagine it might split open!
The last several times I’ve traveled, gate checked items have all been picked up at baggage claim. I’ve started taking advantage of that so I don’t have to carry my bag during layovers.
This is probably true for me since the Portland International Jetport (love that name, ha) is small and typically gets small jets.
@Hoggirl Hope the weather for the wedding you went to turned out like it did for my nephew’s in New England. Forecast was for 90 degree weather and then thunderstorms at the time of the wedding on Sunday. It was warm, but 80s not 90s, with a nice breeze and it didn’t rain until much later in the evening when we were all in tents. It was foggy and almost cold near the water on Saturday.
I completely overpacked, partly because I ended up having to do more work on Friday than anticipated and the ever changing forecast. Luckily we were driving and my DH was very kind to not say a word about the excess stuff I brought!
The next wedding is in a few weeks on the west coast and hoping to pack much lighter!
I, too, almost always bring a sweater, even when it is very hot. I find so many indoor spaces to be over air conditioned.
It was about 60 degrees with a heavy mist. Thankfully, the large thunderstorms earlier in the day had abated enough that the ceremony could be outdoors. Though, I do think many guests were somewhat surprised. We were each given a trash sack to sit on (the venue has long benches rather than chairs - it’s quite rustic). Everyone had their umbrellas up until the actual ceremony started. I was VERY thankful I had taken a cooler weather option as I was still cold even wearing that. Many of the younger women were in sundresses and were clearly cold. It had literally been 87 degrees the day before. But, it truly was lovely and a very sweet ceremony. My friend was the mother of the groom and also the officiant!
I got home around 9:00 pm tonight and my bag is unpacked and the suitcase put away. I’ll hit the laundry tomorrow!
Note that many airline seats have a step on the side of the aisle seat to help shorter travelers put bags in the overhead bins. In the photo below (courtesy Recaro web site), notice the small bracket below the edge of the seat cushion on the right most seat (from the viewer; left most seat for someone sitting in it). This is the step to help reach the overhead bin.
You learn something new every day on this website!
Thanks!. I never knew about those airline seat steps. It can be tough to have short body AND short arm when trying to reach the overhead luggage compartments. Sometimes I’d like that kind of step at the grocery store shelves too (though I’ve been known to get a boost up from the first step.
I have never been great with lots of little choices. So packing used to be stressful. It still would be if we were moving houses.
But, I’ve taken thousands of business trips and avoid checking bags at all cost. At some point, I started preparing a spreadsheet for each business trip laying out what I’m going to wear each day and when (if needed) I get garments cleaned and/or pressed at my hotel. In addition to business clothes, I could have gym clothes and casual clothes if I’m spending the weekend. My trips can have several hotels in several days so this can take some planning. But, I have taken two week trips to Australia with just carry-on.
The harder thing is a trip that combines business and personal. I really can’t do that in carry-on especially if I am going hiking (boots, poles etc.).
Wow. There is no way I could take a two week trip with a carryon only. My toiletries alone for that amount of time require more than the ounces allowed by the TSA. My hair products alone disqualify that. Lol.
The hardest pack for me was a 2 week Baltic cruise. I needed everything from workout clothes to dressy outfits. We also only travel with carryons after too many lost bag stories. I ended up doing a very tight color palette - black, white, and blue and everything could be mixed and matched. Shoes and toiletry were in my backpack, everything else rolled in the suitcase. It worked!
We have a three week trip planned for next year and I will do the same. The key for me is wearing the hiking boots on the plane. Not the most comfortable but they take up the most room. I plan on also bringing a pair of sneakers, one pair of dress shoes, and one pair of sandals. The hardest part for me is always the shoes ; )
@maya54, as a male, I have no hair care products (other than a razor and a beard trimmer if it is a long trip). Pre-Covid, I would bring two suits on a normal trip and alternate (and steam or get pressed) and a few business shirts. These days, people are not wearing suits so often, so I am adjusting.
I had two consulting engagements, one in London and one in Frankfurt, that required a monthly visit by me. Both lasted 3+ years. I left suits and business shirts at a hotel in London and a hotel in Frankfurt and had them press/clean and have them ready for me upon my return. That made the packing really easy.
@momofboiler1, I usually bring a pair of dress shoes and a pair of shoes I can exercise in. In some cases, I need a pair of more casual shoes.
The hardest part for me is always the shoes ; )
Yes indeed! And I’m not even a person that worries much about fashion. For me it’s all about comfort and having a flexibility of various shoe choices.
I used packing cubes for the first time on a recent 6 day trip (based on recommendations here!). I will say they did help with organization! And reduced stress a little. Ultimately, I think they helped w/my overpacking tendencies. I could clearly see “all the workout gear is neatly in this cube” and “all the shorts/pants are in this cube”. Really helpful. 
I can echo this. Used for the first time for a 6 day trip. Found my items better, packing jist a little more compact. Even if I didn’t unpack all the way I knew which cube to grab for a certain item.
The set I ordered for like $17 had 6 cubes, 2 each of 3 sizes. I used 3 and my daughter used 3.
That used to be the case…but we have traveled a few times and so have our kids. Now when gate checked to your final destination…you get to go to the baggage claim. Probably because there aren’t enough employees to deal with this.
Yes, same routine on our way back home - straight to baggage claim. Have to say, both sides of the trip, LaGuardia and DTW, the bags nearly beat our bodies down to baggage claim! No complaints!
Not here! Our last trip was seamless until we got to the baggage claim at 11:10 p.m. and waited over an hour for the bags from our flight to come out.
Sorry to hear that @thumper1 . I flew for the first time since the pandemic on Thursday. And first time flying on Breeze (I usually fly Southwest). My bag was at baggage claim within a minute or two of getting there.