Travel Tips for Packing Luggage

As you prepare to travel for your business, here are a few travel tips for packing luggage to help lighten your load. Preparing a presentation or a pitch before a business trip is easy, but packing can become a major headache, especially with the new airline baggage restrictions. 

How Many Bags Do You Really Need?
Depending on the length of the business trip, you might be able to fit everything you need into your carry-on luggage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows each passenger to bring one bag and one personal item (purse, backpack, laptop, etc.) into the passenger cabin.

For longer trips, you will need to check at least one bag with all the things you need for your stay, but make sure not to overstuff this bag and make it too hard to handle. Some airlines also charge a fee for additional checked bags, so check the carrier's Web site for the latest rules and regulations.

The Survival Kit
When traveling for business, it's a good idea to pack everything that you absolutely need for one or two days into a single piece of carry-on luggage. Your essential should include a change of clothes, daily medications and a small toiletry kit.

If the airlines misplace your luggage, this survival kit can keep you from missing an important business meeting.

Mixing and Matching
For a short business trip, one suit jacket or blazer can be worn with different tops, slacks and skirts. You can wear the jacket or blazer on the plane to avoid packing it into one of your bags.

Roll Away the Wrinkles
Opening a suitcase full of wrinkled clothing can be frustrating, especially if you are meeting clients for a business dinner. Good Housekeeping recommends rolling your clothes instead of folding to minimize wrinkles and maximize your available luggage space.

If some of your business attire has just been dry-cleaned, keep these clothes in the plastic bags while packing. The plastic will add an extra layer of protection and keep suits and dresses from wrinkling while they are in your bag.

Getting Through Security
One of the most important things to keep in mind when packing for a business trip is airport security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict guidelines for the items that can be carried in carry-on luggage:

The 3-1-1 Rule: The TSA allows gels and liquids to be carried onboard, but only in containers that hold 3 ounces or less. These containers must be packed into one quart-sized, zippered-top bag, which must be removed from your carry-on bag and x-rayed.

Each passenger is only allowed one quart bag and any toiletries that exceed these limits will land in the nearest garbage can.

Laptops/Electronics: For the modern business traveler, a laptop is about as necessary as breathing, but portable computers and other electronics must be taken out of bags and cases and x-rayed by the TSA.

The TSA also scrutinizes portable medical devices such as CPAP machines that help alleviate sleep apnea. These devices can be taken on the plane, but airport security wants them placed in a separate plastic tub before the x-ray scan.

TSA Recognized Locks: Before loading them into the cargo area, the TSA will scan all checked bags and, if the agents see something suspicious, they will open a piece of luggage, cutting or breaking a lock if need be.

You can, however, buy "TSA Recognized Locks," which TSA agents can open with a master key. For frequent business travelers, these kinds of locks are a great investment.

Buying Items on the Road
 No matter how carefully you pack for a business trip, you will forget a few things, so ask the Front Desk or Concierge how to get to the nearest drug or discount store. If you don't want to deal with the TSA liquid and gel regulations, you also can buy travel-sized items that you can use while you are on the road.