<p>AIRLINE NIGHTMARE!
Now that we've experienced the joy of luggage lost for 14 days, D will only take a carryon. I will ship her clothes to/from each fall/spring. It is cheaper than replacing an entire wardrobe BEFORE they find the bag and then refuse to reimburse as promised!</p>
<p>The shrinkwrapped luggage sounds good on the surface, but it seems my checked bags are searched every time I fly. There is always the little note in there telling me they've perused the contents of my bag. Since you may no longer lock your bags due to security regulations, wouldn't shrinkwrap give the appearance that you're hiding something?</p>
<p>She's from Toronto, but she summers in Quebec.<br>
She's a new upper.. she's coming from a prep boarding school in Canada.</p>
<p>I'm actually not that competitive, Olivia.. I think I'm more dogged.. And critical. :) When I have a goal, no matter how small, I just fight for it. Sometimes I won't sleep until I find something or finish something. I'm not exactly competitive, however, because I really am only fighting against myself.. Comparing myself with (and thus competing against) someone else would be futile, since we would both have different circumstances, goals, views, etc...</p>
<p>
[quote]
The shrinkwrapped luggage sounds good on the surface, but it seems my checked bags are searched every time I fly. There is always the little note in there telling me they've perused the contents of my bag. Since you may no longer lock your bags due to security regulations, wouldn't shrinkwrap give the appearance that you're hiding something?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Where I've flown out of lately, the scanner is located right by the check-in counter (YMMV), so you get to watch them scan it, pull it off, laugh at your underwear, and then put it back together. Personally, I think it should be kept in public view (despite the underwear), just so it is above board. Of course, they'd have to let you re-wrap it after inspection, but by-and-large, most of them, knowing that you are watching them are happy to let you do it. </p>
<p>Shrink wrap isn't viewed any more suspiciously than anything else these days. They go by what the see on the x-ray machine when they choose to inspect.</p>
<p>goaliedad,
it's a SUV? sorry if that doesnt help, i really don't know much about cars. It's a seven passenger car, back seat folds down. umm 3 or 4 passengers. my little sister think the first day of school just might be more important than saying goodbye to me :l.
I'm travelling for about.. 6 hours
I also know that I'm going shopping over the weekend so I'm going to have more than I do now.</p>
<p>Our Mazda (I think that is what you were asking about), is a minivan - a bit smaller than the largest Chrysler minivans. Has a 3rd seat that stows flat into a floor cavity. We remove 1 of the Captain Chair style middle row seats when 3 of us ride. Our ride is about 16.5 to 17 hours depending upon how many pit stops Goaliemom requires. When it is just Goaliegirl and I, 2 stops for gas/restroom/food is enough. 1050 miles one way. I did the round trip on back to back days last May (2100 miles in about 60 elapsed hours) I am a glutton for punishment). Will be taking one day in Boston this trip, so it won't be quite as punishing.</p>
<p>Consider space bags if you're checking your entire wardrobe in your luggage. They do work as advertised. </p>
<p>The only problem is if your bag is searched and they decide to break the seal. Tough to get the bag to reclose!</p>
<p>Be sure to carry-on your cell phone charger, a change of underwear, toothbrush, Rx, contact lenses, glasses, and anything else you cannot do without for 48 hours.</p>
<p>Although it's a royal pain, try to inventory everything contained in the checked bags and be sure to put a copy of your itinerary and identification in the bags! It will take a few extra precious minutes, but if you need any of the above, you'll be glad for the minor inconvenience on the front end.</p>
<p>Wow. Those threads... scary. Some of those parents are really scary. </p>
<p>I've moved enough/thrown away enough stuff to know how little one needs to survive and/or be more than comfortable. Those parents are going overboard. I think many don't understand that... their kids a) don't want 75% of that crap, b) will never use it, c) that the roommate's parents probably already bought all of that (double waste), and d) how much money they will waste in the process ($1,000's). Back2school is a HUGE business, and these people are feeding the consumerist myth. Yes, yes, every college kid needs 20 separate OTC meds for <em>possible problems while mom is the frightful distance of a phone call away</em>. And the listed essentials like board games and peanut butter. A must for every 18-22 year old.</p>
<p>My pleasure, liv&learn. We wouldn't want liv&learnjr to suffer the serious long term emotional consequences due to lack of peanut butter and Candyland. No worthy parent would send their teenager off without a game of Candyland.</p>
<p>does anyone have a master list for what is needed? I am doinig all the packing this weekend. we are driving- it is a 3 1/2 hour trip, and we do have a rooftop carrier.</p>
<p>D'Yer--the only thing missing on the big list on that college list thread is a pacifier in case the little baby misses mama and dada!</p>
<p>My goodness, what is wrong with our generation? I don't remember anyone anticipating my every need, want, and whim. No wonder so many of our kids go across the country or to the UK for college. They're escaping! :)</p>
<p>Ironically the most hilarious examples appear on the list of "what NOT to bring."</p>
<p>CDs. Don't bring CDs. Why? Because you should upgrade to mp3s!</p>
<p>VCR. Don't bring a VCR. Why? Because you should upgrade to a DVD player...as they are smaller.</p>
<p>My family was on vacation when I started college. I left from the beach. They bought me a plane ticket and my mom was the only one willing to give up vacation time to drive me 2 hours to the airport. Back home, a high school friend loaded a trunk of all my stuff onto a truck that the alumni club ran each year for area students. When I arrived on campus, I found my trunk sitting behind the bookstore...as the truck had arrived and unloaded a day before I got there. I hauled whatever it is that got packed in my truck to my new dorm and, from there on out, college happened. </p>
<p>Whatever faults and flaws and idiosyncrasies I possess, exactly ZERO of them are the byproduct of being deprived of creature comforts in my dorm room.</p>
<p>D'Yer,
Tops on my list to bring is: Your dignity! It's right up there with my advice to young women who have videocams at college: Keep your shirt on! :)</p>
<p>Maybe those mothers have serious emotional problems (regarding an empty nest) and are coping by compulsively making never ending lists. Sure seems like it.</p>
<p>My parents aren't helicopter parents; they're "B-29 parents" as Goaliedad said. Ever notice how people are always running away from helicopters?</p>
<p>Got it all packed in the van. My efforts in reducing the volume of Goaliegirl's stuff paid off, as we have about as much of the van filled this fall as last fall (about 10 inches from the top). This with a large suitcase from her Korean roommate included.</p>
<p>All gassed up and ready to go (not me, the van - LOL).</p>