Booked my tickets, now packing dilemma!

[Benni]

I booked my ticket last week to meet B March 30th. This week makes it a year that we met online. Through chats and skype, we have gotten to know each other really well and love each other more and more as time goes by.

I "packed" my carry-on last night to make sure all will fit and it doesn't!!! Boo-hoo! I took out a few things and STILL can't get it all to fit. He said I could wear his tops/sweaters....... uhhhh he's 5'8", I'm 4'10" -- don't think that's going to work!

I'm taking 3 bulky sweaters which take up a lot of room but it's going to be very cold in Canada and I need to be warm. What to do, what to do..... sigh.......

[Oldblighty]

Just a suggestion, but can you buy those vaccum bags in America? You put your clothes in them, then suck the air out with a vacuum cleaner. Obviously it doesn't make it weigh less, but it certainly gives you more room....

https://www.yourspacebag.co.uk/

[digitalfever]

Could you bring less? I

[Benni]

Yes, we can get the vacuum bags here but I don't know if they'll suck enough air out to make a difference -- the sweaters are thick and bulky even squished down.

I'm already down to the basics and having to do without -- one pair of jeans and 2 sweaters and one pair of shoes for when we go out about town. Then 3 pair of sweat pants and T-Shirts for around the house during the day, and 4 pj pants and tank tops for sleepwear. The rest is a few pairs of socks, underwear and slippers that he says I'll need since his floors are so cold.

I've tried both the Roll method and the Bundle method and it will not all fit in my standard roll-along suitcase for carry-on.

[mllebamako]

Why can't you take a bigger bag and check it in? I assume it's an international flight so you probably get at least 1 bag checked for free.

[kacie]

how long you going for? do you need to change your sleepwear so much?

[Jazi]

Why can't you take a bigger bag and check it in? I assume it's an international flight so you probably get at least 1 bag checked for free.

I agree with mllebamako, why aren't you taking a check-in bag/suitcase? it seems like the logical thing to do.. especially if you are going for a week or more.

[Oldblighty]

Yes, we can get the vacuum bags here but I don't know if they'll suck enough air out to make a difference -- the sweaters are thick and bulky even squished down.

I'm already down to the basics and having to do without -- one pair of jeans and 2 sweaters and one pair of shoes for when we go out about town. Then 3 pair of sweat pants and T-Shirts for around the house during the day, and 4 pj pants and tank tops for sleepwear. The rest is a few pairs of socks, underwear and slippers that he says I'll need since his floors are so cold.

I've tried both the Roll method and the Bundle method and it will not all fit in my standard roll-along suitcase for carry-on.

Well those vacuum bags are great! Your sweaters might be bulky but they would be quarter of the size if you used one or two. Worth a try!!

How long are you going for? Do you really need three pairs of sweat pants and all those PJ's? Can't you take less and just wash your things once your there?

[snow_girl]

How long are you going for? Do you really need three pairs of sweat pants and all those PJ's? Can't you take less and just wash your things once your there?

I agree, 3 sweat pants and 4 pjs seem excessive. I sleep in the same pjs all the time.

[Tooki]

Yes, we can get the vacuum bags here but I don't know if they'll suck enough air out to make a difference -- the sweaters are thick and bulky even squished down.

I'm already down to the basics and having to do without -- one pair of jeans and 2 sweaters and one pair of shoes for when we go out about town. Then 3 pair of sweat pants and T-Shirts for around the house during the day, and 4 pj pants and tank tops for sleepwear. The rest is a few pairs of socks, underwear and slippers that he says I'll need since his floors are so cold.

I've tried both the Roll method and the Bundle method and it will not all fit in my standard roll-along suitcase for carry-on.

How long are you visiting your SO for? You could easily take out 1 pair of sweat pants and 2 pj pants/tank tops and still be fine. Given what you said, you are overpacking.

[lucybelle]

Take half of each item of clothing out. Problem solved!

[Benni]

I'll be there 7 nights and 8 days. At home, I wear the same pj's for several nights and the same day clothes for 2 days as I'm retired so I'm not getting my clothes dirty or sweaty. B has this thing about changing clothes every day otherwise I could get by with a lot less.

I looked into taking a checked bag -- American Airlines lets you take one bag free but Air Canada charges $25.00 each way for one bag. I was trying to avoid that but may not be able to. *Sigh* ......... I don't know -- decisions, decisions......

[kacie]

I'll be there 7 nights and 8 days. At home, I wear the same pj's for several nights and the same day clothes for 2 days as I'm retired so I'm not getting my clothes dirty or sweaty. B has this thing about changing clothes every day otherwise I could get by with a lot less.

I looked into taking a checked bag -- American Airlines lets you take one bag free but Air Canada charges $25.00 each way for one bag. I was trying to avoid that but may not be able to. *Sigh* ......... I don't know -- decisions, decisions......

Be you, if you wear clothes for more than one day then stick with that, don't change as you're visiting him

[Benni]

Be you, if you wear clothes for more than one day then stick with that, don't change as you're visiting him

I very much agree with you. It's really on me, not him. I have some cute sleepwear that I want to wear for him and not the same thing every night. Those aren't the problem, it's the bulkier day clothes that take up so much room.

I'm wondering -- I have a duffle bag that expands to 20x10x11 BUT, besides the carry-on rollabout, the second item can only be 17x13x6. However, if I don't fill the duffle to capacity and it still be squishable enough to fit under the seat, I wonder if it would be allowed. I'm assuming the rollabout goes in the overhead.

[Jazi]

I'll be there 7 nights and 8 days. At home, I wear the same pj's for several nights and the same day clothes for 2 days as I'm retired so I'm not getting my clothes dirty or sweaty. B has this thing about changing clothes every day otherwise I could get by with a lot less.

I looked into taking a checked bag -- American Airlines lets you take one bag free but Air Canada charges $25.00 each way for one bag. I was trying to avoid that but may not be able to. *Sigh* ......... I don't know -- decisions, decisions......

based on the fact that it costs money to have checked baggage then I would just take a ton less.. it honestly sounds like you're planning to change 3 times a day with the clothes you've got! I would take less PJs, I understand wanting to take all your super cute new things to impress your SO in.. but when we have to pack to certain limits it just isn't feasible half the time.

I don't know about you but I can get away with wearing 1 pair of sweat pants around the house for a few days without needing to wash them, whilst changing my tops daily. I would cut your 3 pairs of sweat pants down to 1 or 2 if it were me.. and I'd take out some of the PJs, maybe keep 2 of your favourite cute ones in, but if you don't wear them for him this time there is always next time