Travel Friday: Ever-Changing Security Measures

Before she packed for Washington, my daughter wrote out a very elaborate checklist.

What you see on the left was really her first draft. Before she did her actual packing, she typed it up and printed it.

She makes her mommy proud.

As I've indicated over the last couple of weeks, I'm in the process of putting together a list of my own - even though the trip is still a couple of months out. I have yet to write it all down, and that's a good thing - because the details are still subject to change, in part due to new security regulations that will be announced over the next few weeks in response to the botched terrorist plot over Christmas.

My travel routine has changed a lot over the last dozen years -- both for security reasons and business. Air travel these days is such a hassle, it's hard to believe there was ever a time when it felt exciting. Between enhanced security, crowded planes and stripped down service, the transportation portion of the trip is something I just want to getoverwithassoonaspossible... preferably, with a little help from Xanax.

I'm really making an effort this time to pack light, a skill I've never acquired - especially on a visit to Britain. As a SoCal native, I'm not accustomed to real weather, and tend to fill the suitcase with EVERY possible item I might need. Fortunately, as we're traveling in the summer, I won't need to pack as many heavy sweaters. However, I remember an August trip to Wales when I was so cold I regretted omitting my thermal underwear.

So I'm thinking jeans... lots of t-shirts (light!)... maybe one sweater... an umbrella (duh!)... and I'll wear my jacket on the plane.

The more problematic item is the carry-on. When I first started traveling, a woman's purse didn't count (yes - I could bring a carry-on AND a huge tote bag!) But that loophole was closed a long time ago, and unless you have a very young child requiring a diaper bag, you are only allowed one -- and I NEED to bring my computer. My husband has even announced that he's only planning to take his files on a flash drive to use on MY computer.

Right now, I am so jonesing a lightweight netbook that I could stick in a nice tote bag along with the sundry female type items I would prefer to carry on. It's not in our budget. So all I can do is dream about it... and clear out some space in my regular computer bag.

DISCLOSURE: I do not have any affiliation with the makers of Xanax. I've never even taken the stuff. But I've been begged told by close family members that I should.

Comments

[Ashley]

I recently traveled and I took my carry-on luggage and a purse and that was fine. Maybe a purse is considered a carry on if its huge but mine was a hobo style bag.

[Donna]

Hey, Ashley - you're right. I just checked the baggage requirements on my airline and I CAN bring a handbag in addition to the computer bag. But this is a change from the last time I made this trip (over three years ago). As I said, it keeps on changing, which is why I'll be reading the requirements again when we get closer to our departure date. Other changes are the fact that we used to be able to take along TWO suitcases per passenger when flying economy but now may only take ONE.

I still wish I had a small netbook I could keep in a tote bag. It would just be lighter and simpler.