Packing & Luggage

Packing can be a chore and most people wait until the night before or the last minute.  Yes, I am one of those people.  Although for BIG trips I have been known to thrown things in an open suitcase all week long as I think of items.

I am packing for my first pleasure trip of the year; I will tell you where tomorrow.  For my work trips, packing is fast.  I throw in the scrubs, socks, underwear, pajamas and toiletries.  I wear the same clothes going and coming on the plane.  But for pleasure trips, it is always unknown territory because the activities will vary. 

There will be warm weather [sundresses, flip flops], beach [cute swimsuit - NOT bikini]; but there is also discussion of rain forest [that means I need closed toe shoes, something to cover the arms and legs], kayaking [durable swimwear], and partying [aluring, dancing clothes].  This all adds to the clothing, 1 more pair of shoes and using luggage that will be checked.

Yesterday, I had to purchase a new suitcase.  The last set I bought was fashionable brown snakeskin.  It looked great but was not very durable; although it did last over a year.  I usually only check my luggage if the trip is over 5 days.  This luggage was great because it was weatherproof; Delta in ATL (the hub I travel through 99% of the time) has a habit of leaving your luggage out in the rain.  The middle piece (24") separated between the zipper and leather Dec 2011 on my trip to Spain.  Imagine standing at the baggage claim in a foreign country and your luggage arrive split open with your %% hanging out.  What did I do?  I had medical tape and safety pins.  I put it back together and once I got to the hotel, found some duck tape.  Yes, the luggage came back home with me.  Last week, I was using the 29" piece [long trip] and the luggage arrived on the belt with the handle missing.  A perk of being a Delta Elite member - they will replace, repair or give points for the damage.  Since it is a unique piece, I will go with the repair option.  So now I am in need of a checkable luggage.  I searched the "outlet" stores.  I settled on a "TravelPro" piece; luggage of the flight crew.  The actual flight crew luggage prices in the $200 category.  I went for the clearance rack of last year's model and 24" red; I want to be able to find my lugagge on the belt.  Also, it will match a new carryon duffel I got for Christmas which is red & black.  The luggage has a 10 year warranty but they always challenge the damage as "wearable" parts.  I just hope it lasts 1 year.  It has the 4 wheel spinners that allow you to roll it upright but I don't have to worry about rolling through the airport because it's my "checking" luggage.

The brown snakeskin, carry size.

The new TravelPro 24"

So now I am off to pack in my new red luggage.  Sundresses, flip flops, swimsuits, and ........