What is the Point of using Carry-on Luggage and is it better to travel with a carry-on for International travel?
Do you love to Travel? Do You love overseas Travel? Have you suffered the frustrations of standing in queues at Airline baggage check in? Are you usually struggling with an oversized, possibly overweight, and sometimes bursting at the seam’s suitcase? Sweating away as you heave said suitcase onto the check in scales and dread the digital weight counter going over the Luggage weight limit?
If so, lets look at the benefits of carry-on luggage and how it may save you the stress and grind of flying with luggage.
I have travelled extensively both for pleasure and for business. In all my journeys, particularly when travelling by air I have come to only consider carry-on Luggage and found that the benefits of doing so have been great and would suggest you too consider this as your go-to option, particularly where air travel is involved.
Now before you start off at me, I accept that if you are going on a Cruise and there are many formal nights etc then this is not going to work and may not be an option. However, as more and more of us travel on shorter breaks, be it for work, business, or pleasure and particularly by Air then with these shorter break options, we have the opportunity to travel light utilising carry-on luggage, and in particular using more softer style bags, Leather holdalls, Backpack styles, etc.
So why you ask do I only consider carry-on luggage for air travel and why should you?
Below are 5 reasons
1. Cost Saving
It is a fact that many airlines today will charge extra if you wish to put a suitcase or luggage in the hold. In my experience, for customers wishing to check in luggage I have seen costs for trips to be an extra $50 Dollars in the US to £65 Sterling in the UK For each passenger and each way! Suddenly the bargain short trip weekend getaway is not the bargain you budgeted for. Further if you are one of the increasing number of Digital Nomads, working online whilst travelling then by using carry-on bags, you save this cost meaning more moola in your pocket to enjoy and experience the culture of your destination.
A word of caution here: please check before you get to the airport that your carry-on luggage meets your airlines cabin size requirements. Not all airlines are the same. Oh, and just because you travelled historically with a particular bag and a particular airline don’t think that the size rule is set in stone. Airlines can and do change their policy here. I once had to do the walk of shame, when my bag was deemed oversize. (despite being a frequent flyer on this particular carrier) Being sent to the back of the queue as my bag was taken away and checked in the hold means to this day I am emotionally scarred as I still picture the faces of the other passengers, looking at me with contempt, muttering to each other “look at him, who does he think he is… trying to carry on his luggage… I hope I don’t sit beside him…” etc They didn’t I am sure, but…
2. Time Saving
Technology now is part of modern life. Our mobile phones carry everything from social apps, to banking to travel tickets. The advances in technology give us flexibility. By having your airline tickets on your phone, you can simply turn up at the airport gate, scan the bar code ticket issued by your airline and you are on your way to passport control and security. Simple, quick, and easy. Combine this with your luggage being carry-on and you avoid the horror of the Airline check in queue. Not only do you have to spend ages waiting to have your luggage checked in, but depending on season you will endure the misery of having your feet run over by Ski Holdalls/Golf Bags/Push Chairs etc
Time is also saved when you arrive at your destination Airport. You do not have to wait in the Baggage reclaim hall for your luggage to be offloaded and sent up for collection. Instead, you can be Off the aircraft, through security/customs and on your way.
3. No lost Luggage
Work on the tenet that the moment you check hold luggage in…. you will not see it again. (that is why, if you must check in hold luggage NEVER pack anything of value) Sadly, lost, mis directed and re-routed luggage is a risk of air travel. There is nothing worse than waiting in the destination luggage hall for your suitcase to appear on the carousel and the sickening realisation hits you that that everyone from your flight has vacated the Baggage area and the only items going around on the conveyor belt are a suitcase all split at the sides with a red label stuck on it, and a buckled folded babies pushchair.
Lost Luggage is a real pain. Trust me on this having lost many items (worst being Golf Clubs) when I say you will need to locate the Lost Luggage kiosk and then try to explain to the person working there, who invariably will not speak your language, the fact that you have lost luggage. You will need to obtain a reference number, and keep telephoning the service carrier/airline as to where, when (and if) your luggage may turn up. Depending on your schedule you may not be at your apartment/lodging when the carrier says they will deliver your found luggage, meaning, you may need to change your sightseeing/business plans.
4. Destination Flexibility
Have you been to Marrakesh? Or Split in Croatia? Fantastic destinations, great people, and wonderful things to see. But, both these places have extremely narrow, historical streets. Often you will need to walk through the cobbled pavements, up steps, and down stairs to find your Riad or Airbnb.
(If you go to Marrakesh let me know how you get on…how many times did you get lost in the old town Souq? It’s a fantastic place)
Good luck wheeling a large traditional hard-shell suitcase there. Travelled on the Paris Metro? again, trying to manoeuvre a large suitcase through the ticket gates and auto barrier doors is a nightmare, in fact any city destination will prove a challenge particularly on public transport, carrying a traditional suitcase. Stress of travel, heated ‘discussions’ with any travel partner and repeating the whole process in reverse for your return journey leaves you more worn out than before you started your trip or vacation!
5. Security
Sadly pickpocketing, street mugging and robbery are a fact in any city in the world. Thieves are opportunist, looking for an easy target and nothing shouts Tourist more than the stereo type image of an individual, in a city centre, adorned with various cameras around their neck, an ‘I love London, Paris, New York ‘(delete as necessary) T-shirt, reading a guide book and map.
Pulling a large wheeled suitcase around a city also identifies you as a non-local and therefore potentially vulnerable, especially in and around airports and city centre stations and terminus. Stopping off at a Café or Bar for refreshment? Need to use the facilities? Going to take your suitcase with you? Or risk leaving your bag at your table… All part of the challenge of using large Suitcase luggage.
By using carry on sizes, not only do you get the flexibility but you also have more chance of blending in as a local, and thus less of a potential opportunist target for a pickpocket.
Quick tip here: If you are unfortunate enough to have a wallet or purse pick pocketed or stolen, and you are in the vicinity of where you think it happened, go, and look in the nearby rubbish and trash bins. An opportunist thief only wants cash. Credit and Bank cards are no good to them. They will often take out the cash and throw your wallet/purse away.
6. Business or Pleasure
(I know I said 5 tips but here is a bonus)
You can choose your carry-on luggage in different styles to the traditional, wheeled hard shell case.
Depending on the purpose of your trip means that you can utilise your carry-on bag during your stay. For example, at times I travel on Business and combine this with sightseeing. By choosing my carry-on luggage, as a traditional, stylish, leather bag, in a backpack or Laptop style means that I can turn up to a business meeting, with my bag containing my laptop etc. no problem. I am not sure of the image I would convey turning up with a wheeled suitcase to a prospective supplier meeting.
Also, If your choice of bag is in a traditional style as above, then after a few trips the bag becomes your go to bag, becomes an ‘old friend’ and shares many an experience and adventure with you… I have a battered leather holdall style that has been all over the world with me. I have to treat it with leather care yearly but weirdly I now don’t feel right if it doesn’t accompany me on my travels.
I hope you enjoyed this article. If so, let me know your thoughts. Where are you off to next and will you now be considering only carry-on luggage for your trip?