The MacroLuggage Blog

Going Green Travel Tips

Luggage Guru — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:28:53 +0000

Real Simple has some great tips for traveling green.

Be choosy when booking a bed.
Rooms in all price ranges are on the green bandwagon. Many Holiday Inns use CFL lightbulbs, and they all serve Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee. Marriott, InterContinental, Kimpton, Fairmont, and Sandals offer environmental programs; go to

Go paperless with your PDA.
Save a tree — and your back — by downloading travel guides, maps, and even boarding passes onto a handheld device. Lonely Planet sells travel content in “Pick & Mix Chapters” downloads, allowing you to buy only the information you need and view it on your PDA, and Rough Guides provides free downloads of cultural audio “iToors” for iPods. On domestic flights, Air Canada offers paperless tickets featuring scannable electronic bar codes that are sent to your cell phone or PDA. Continental Airlines is currently testing this technology.

Streamline your suitcase.
Even 10 extra pounds per passenger translates into the need for extra fuel, which can then lead to more carbon dioxide emissions. Pack light.

Towel off twice.
Use only the towels you need, hang them to dry, then reuse. Likewise, why have your sheets changed every day? Leave a note for housekeeping to skip changing the sheets and towels. Opting to use them again can save up to 30 gallons of water a day.

Bring your own shampoo — or take theirs.
Hotel soaps and bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion that have been opened — even if just for one use — are routinely tossed in the trash. Carry your own amenities in reusable travel containers. If you open one of theirs, toss it in your bag to be finished off at home and refilled for future trips.

Eat locally.
An American meal involves food flown in from, on average, five different countries, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Minimize food-transport pollution by choosing a restaurant that utilizes regional ingredients.

Drink locally.
If the tap water is safe, go ahead and drink it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, while public water gets tested for contaminants thousands of times a year, bottled-water facilities may not test their products as frequently. Plus, a discarded plastic bottle can take years to biodegrade.

Walk, ride, or rent a hybrid.
Too far to walk? Hop on a bus or the subway. Most cities’ transportation-authority websites have a route-planner function; also try www.hopstop.com or www.subwaynavigator.com. If your trip requires a car, rent a hybrid (choose “hybrid” under “car options” at www.kayak.com) to reduce emissions by up to one-half. The next best option? Find a “green” car at www.hybrids.orbitz.com.

Great American Backyard Campout Set for June 28th

Luggage Guru — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:38:39 +0000

If you’ve got a wish to get outside and check out the great outdoors with friends and family, consider getting involved with the Great American Backyard Campout set for this upcoming Saturday June 28th.

Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, they’re asking folks to register their campsite and take part in what may be the largest concerted camping effort in backyards across America since the Revolution.

Of course, you’ll need to provide the gear, s’mores and fun yourself, but there’s no doubt it could be a great way to bring out the kid in those around you while inspiring some of the real kids around you to take a new appreciation for nature itself. Don’t forget your tent and you always need a backpack and a sleeping bag.

Registering for the Great American Backyard Campout
To register just head over to the Great American Backyard Campout’s website and fill out the details of where it is you’re camping out, whether it’s in your own backyard or even your favorite campsite nearby. They promise to load you up with packing lists, recipes, wildlife guides, activities, and tips to help ensure you have a great time

More Green ideas here.

Marriott Hawaii Offers First Allergy-Free Guest Rooms

Luggage Guru — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:27:49 +0000

Do you have bad allergies or are you a germaphobic? Marriot is the first hotel chain to create an allergy-free room at their hotel in Hawaii. The JW Marriott Ihilani Resot & Spa is the first in Hawaii and one of the first in the United States to use the PURE system where guests on the 17th floor and the Presidential Suite receive “an ultimate allergy-friendly room environment.” The PURE system treats the room to specially remove contaminants from ‘bedding, carpeting, walls, furniture, air conditioning systems, and practically everything in the room.’ All five resort hotels in Hawaii are taking on green initiatives throughout the hotels.

When the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa converts its 35,000-square-foot Ihilani Spa, it will become the first and only spa facility in the United States to be entirely allergy-friendly. The five Marriott Resort hotels in Hawaii all aim to be not just allergy-free, but also energy efficient, protective of native wildlife and responsible in their water use.

More information here.

New Luggage Brand Added - Knomo

Luggage Guru — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:17:52 +0000

Knomo started with the realization that if you wanted a computer bag that wasn’t black, bulky and held together with Velcro and zips, you were out of luck. So Knomo’s designers decided that a knomo would be a bag that they would want, made from quality materials like real leather. And it wouldn’t just look nice, it would actually work – with space for things like PDA’s, MP3 players and those old favorites – pens and paper! Different styles have different features because the bag a woman executive needs is probably a little different than the one that a graphic designer wants. It’s a simple idea really; making bags that people actually like rather than ones they have to tolerate.

New Brand Added - Patagonia Luggage

Luggage Guru — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:43:40 +0000

Patagonia grew out of a small company that made tools for climbers. Alpinism remains at the heart of a worldwide business that still makes clothes for climbing – as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running. These are all silent sports. None requires a motor; none delivers the cheers of a crowd. In each sport, reward comes in the form of hard-won grace and moments of connection between us and nature.

Our values reflect those of a business started by a band of climbers and surfers, and the minimalist style they promoted. The approach we take towards product design demonstrates a bias for simplicity and utility.

At Patagonia, a love of wild and beautiful places demands participation in the fight to save them, and to help reverse the steep decline in the overall environmental health of our planet. We donate our time, services and at least 1% of our sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups all over the world who work to help reverse the tide.

We know that our business activity – from lighting stores to dyeing shirts – creates pollution as a by-product. So we work steadily to reduce those harms. We use recycled polyester in many of our clothes and only organic, rather than pesticide-intensive, cotton.

Staying true to our core values during thirty-plus years in business has helped us create a company we’re proud to run and work for. And our focus on making the best products possible has brought us success in the marketplace.

Travel tips: Planning

Luggage Guru — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:22:41 +0000

Know the difference between “direct” and “nonstop” flights, and always opt for the latter.

Unlike nonstops, direct flights can touch down at other airports on the way to their ultimate destinations. And while stops are built in to the total travel time, the potential delays they can cause aren’t. Whenever possible, fly nonstop.

Make sure you purchase your ticket under the exact name that appears on your ID.

It might seem obvious to you that Betsy is a nickname for Elizabeth, but it may not to a desk agent or a security officer — any one of whom could ask you to show identification with that name before boarding.

Select your seats as soon as possible

If you have a disability and need a premium seat in the bulkhead, tell the agent when you make your reservation rather than at the airport. Other passengers might be able to get those seats 24 hours before the flight, when they’re made available to everyone through the airline’s website.

Get to your gateway city as early as you can

Since delays stack up as the day progresses, it’s smart to book the first flight you can into a hub if you have a connecting flight. Spending a few extra hours at the airport is better than missing your connection because your first flight was late.

Double-check foreign document requirements.

Some countries — like Chile, Kenya, and India — require a visa for entry; others, like South Africa, won’t allow entrance unless a traveler’s passport contains at least two blank, unstamped pages. You need to be aware of those requirements before you make your flight reservations or you could get stuck Stateside. For a complete list of entrance regulations, visit www.travel.state.gov/travel.

Choosing a Bag

Luggage Guru — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:52:13 +0000

In this modern day of worldwide independent travel, trunks are long gone and carry-on luggage has become the preferred baggage of the frequent traveler. By carrying your luggage with you on the plane, you save valuable travel time, and you never need to worry about the airline losing your luggage or having it miss the plane. Just have this happen to you once when you’re in a hurry and you’ll be a carry-on traveler for life. Here are some helpful tips on how to choose the right bag, what to bring with you and how to pack it.

When looking for carry-on luggage, make sure you get something that will fit under the seat in front of you. In general, try to select a bag with dimensions not exceeding 14″ x 9″ x 22″, including all straps and wheels. Policies may vary, so always check with the airline for its limits on the size, weight or number of carry-on pieces. If you are using more than one airline, you might want to call ahead to find out all baggage requirements.

Good quality, softsided carry-on bags are lightweight, sturdy and washable, and they absorb shock better than hardsided luggage. Look for durable, waterproof nylon with a high-density weave, strong double zippers that can be locked, and comfortable handles and shoulder straps. It’s good to have a removable shoulder strap in case you do need to check the bag so it won’t get caught in the luggage carousel. A great bet are carry-ons with two or three separate compartments and three-quarter zippers that allow you to open the bag up and lay it flat like a suitcase.

We highly recommend the carry-ons with wheels and retractable luggage handles which will save you from having to carry your luggage long distances in airports. There are also some convertible backpacks on the market which are quite good, particularly if you expect to do a lot of walking with your luggage or are traveling by train through Europe. If you’re not using a rolling carry-on or convertible backpack and plan on walking a lot with your luggage, consider a luggage cart.

Remember, you’re going to be carrying your own bag through airports, train stations and looking for hotels. Make sure you can carry it comfortably for at least a mile. If you’re still don’t know what to bring and what not to then take the luggage hike test. Go for a mile-long walk with your bag. When you get back it will be a lot easier to decide what you don’t need!

Restrictions on checked and carry-on luggage

Luggage Guru — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:07:04 +0000

There are many discounuted airlines out there now and their ticket prices look like a great deal but beware of the hidden costs that may be associated with them. Many of these airlines charge a fee for every bag that is checked while others are lowering their maximum permitted weight limits for checked bags.

Most airlines allow passengers one carry-on bag and one personal item, travelers headed to or passing through the U.K. may only bring one small bag through airport security checkpoints and the size restrictions are rigidly enforced. Your best bet is to check your airline’s web site as well as the TSA web site before every trip to be sure your bags are compliant with the latest rules and regulations.

Tips to avoid getting a cold while flying

Luggage Guru — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:09:55 +0000

Stay hydrated. It turns out that drinking plenty of water will not only counter the overall dehydrating effects of air travel, which can lead to headaches, stomach problems, cramps, fatigue and more, but can actually fortify your preemptive natural immune mechanisms to function considerably better. As your body dries out, your nose and throat go with them. Of course, this is the case in normal daily life — when exercising, during prolonged sun exposure, etc.; even caffeine and alcohol consumption can dry you out. However, in an airplane, where your nose and throat are on the front lines of the war with exceedingly dry air, these are the first places to suffer; most travelers have felt the sting of a brutally arid mouth, throat and nose in flight.

Sipping water or some other fluid regularly throughout the flight may be more effective than drinking a lot of water at one time before or during the flight; this will keep your protective system from long dry spells. (And we do mean to single out water here — as noted above, alcohol and caffeinated drinks such as coffee or sodas can actually dehydrate you.)

Nasal mists have been found to be very effective in keeping this system working in your nose. Additionally, hot drinks are a good way to keep your protective mucous membranes working — first, to assist in keeping you generally hydrated; second, by triggering the system into gear; and third, by directly providing moisture in the form of steam. Note that this is not a treatment, it just keeps your defenses strong and functioning.

Keep your hands clean. Your hands are the most consistent point of first contact with cold, flu and other germs. It is a direct line from armrest/seatback/handshake to fingers to fork to mouth to full-blown fever a few days later. According to a National Institutes of Health factsheet, the type of virus that causes the common cold and the flu has been found to survive for up to three hours on your skin or on objects such as armrests, TV remote control handsets, tray tables and other similar surfaces. However, the simple act of washing your hands with hot water and soap is a formidable rampart against this transfer of harmful microorganisms.

Hand washing is not just for restaurant workers and travelers; health professionals and researchers working to combat communicable diseases in many third-world countries are waging a fierce campaign to encourage residents to adopt this simple practice into their daily routines. If possible, wash your hands before any in-flight meals, and after your flight as well.

Of course, airplane cabins are tight places, and getting out of your seat to wash up before and after every snack time can be almost impossible, as the flight attendants command the aisles, your seatmates are trying to eat, tray tables are down cabin-wide, and no one involved really wants to have folks getting up and down and roaming around the cabin. In these cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends alcohol-based products made specifically for washing hands.

Don’t forget the dental hygiene. Just as keeping your hands clean can prevent transmission of germs, using a germ-killing mouthwash in-flight may add another layer of protection while simultaneously helping to keep your throat moist. Just make sure your mouthwash bottle is three ounces or smaller to comply with the latest carry-on rules for liquids and gels.

Take your vitamins. The rapid response effect of vitamins is unproven, but many travelers swear by them. The National Institute of Health concurs, sort of, offering that no conclusive data has shown that large doses of vitamin C will prevent colds, although it may reduce the severity or duration of symptoms.

Wear a face mask. The National Institute of Health cites airborne germs as one of the top two sources of cold virus infection; some travelers have taken to wearing masks either to prevent infection, or when they themselves are already infected. Personally, I would not last more than a half-hour or so behind a hot mask, but this may be an effective prevention tactic nonetheless.

The Bundle Approach - Packing Tip

Luggage Guru — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:07:42 +0000

This method of packing is a favorite of many travelers. It’s difficult to explain. You need luggage that opens up and lays flat to do this. You will also need a flat, soft, pouch-like rectangular “core” with dimensions that are at least 1/2 to 3/4 the size of your luggage compartment. This can be a pouch filled with underwear or something similar.

Start with your sports jacket or the longest, most wrinkle-prone item you have. With the collar or waistband flat, place it against the bottom edge of the bag and drape the rest of the garment over the opposite side of the bag. Take another garment and place it in the opposite direction, flattening and smoothing out both garments in the bag and draping the remainder over the side. If you have trousers or other narrow items, do the same with them in the narrow direction of the bag. Keep alternating your items, ending up with the most wrinkle-resistant clothes you have.

When you finish, place your “core” in the middle. Now you’re going to start folding the garments over the core and each other in the reverse order you put them in. If you fold something over and there’s excess draping over the sides of the bag, tuck it underneath the bundle you are creating.

What you will end up with is a bundle of all of your clothes that looks like a pillow. You can pick it up in one piece. It’s compactly packed and doesn’t waste an available space in your luggage. Plus, because of the way things are folded, your clothes will wrinkle less.

To find something in the bundle, lay it flat and unwrap until you reach the layer you want. Take the item out and refold the remainder. If done properly each layer should result in a self contained bundle at each layer.

Some Packing Methods

Luggage Guru — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:32:59 +0000

When packing your clothes, you don’t want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will crease when compressed. Here are a couple of alternatives:

Rolling Your Clothes
Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up.

Fold Clothes Together
Take two or more garments, for example trousers, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you’ve folded it so it’s less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.

Going to the lake? Remember these items

Luggage Guru — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:12:29 +0000

If you are going to the lake then you would need some additional items like swimsuit, coverup, sunscreen, umbrella to keep the sun off of you, beach chairs, beach towels, mesh beach bag, frisbee or something else for entertainment, and a life preserver. You’ll also want to think about a fishing pole if you want to go swimming.

Gifts for Him

Luggage Guru — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:31:02 +0000

Need a gift for that special man in your life? How long has he been carrying that same wallet? If the answer is, “too long,” consider replacing it with a smart-looking new leather wallet. And don’t forget to slip a picture of you inside.

Royce Leather Hipster Wallet

Most men aren’t comfortable wearing a lot of jewelry, but few can resist a fine watch. There are many stylish watches out there and it’s a gift that will remind him to make time for you.

Men’s Bulova Watch

What is the Transportation Security Administration?

Luggage Guru — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:33:04 +0000

Ever heard of the TSA and wondered what they are or what they do?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a U.S. government agency that was created after September 11, 2001.

The TSA is a component of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for security of the nation’s transportation systems. With state, local and regional partners, the TSA oversees security for highways, railroads, buses, mass transit systems, ports, and 450 U.S. airports.

A Transportation Security Officer (TSO) is a federal employee of the Transportation Security Administration tasked with performing security screening of persons and property at airport terminals and baggage areas. The primary function of a Transportation Security Officer is to prevent all prohibited/dangerous objects from being transported onto aircrafts.

Security checkpoint wait times at all airports

Luggage Guru — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:23:30 +0000

Curious how long you might be waiting at the security checkpoint at your local airport? TSA has compiled data to assist you in planning your next flight. The wait times may vary depending on factors including weather delays which result in increased passengers.

When calculating arrival time, remember to build in time for non-security related issues, including parking, and checking in with your airline. Please consult your airline and airport for additional guidance on arrival time.

Lithium Battery Limits in Carry-on Baggage

Luggage Guru — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:45:54 +0000

As reported on Friday, December 28, 2007 there are new limits to carrying lithium batteries on aircrafts.

New US DOT Hazmat Safety Rule to Place Lithium Battery Limits in Carry-on Baggage on Passenger Aircraft Effective January 1, 2008

Passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage beginning January 1, 2008 once new federal safety rules take effect. The new regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags.

Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones, and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries (see attached illustration), such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage.

“Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires,” said Krista Edwards, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions. Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.

“This rule protects the passenger,” said Lynne Osmus, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistant administrator for security and hazardous materials. “It’s one more step for safety. It’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it.”

In addition to the new rule, PHMSA is working with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the battery and airline industries, airline employee organizations, testing laboratories, and the emergency response communities to increase public awareness about battery-related risks and developments.

New MacroLuggage Brand - Pacsafe

Luggage Guru — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:08:15 +0000

MacroLuggage just started carrying a new brand called Pacsafe. Get on with your adventure with Pacsafe travel security. A few moments thinking about it now can mean an entire trip spent enjoyng yourself. Every Pacsafe product is designed for your peace of mind - so you really can get out there and see more of the world. When your gear is secure, you can do more!

New security measures for travelling to and from Britain

Luggage Guru — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:55:34 +0000

Britain Travelers to Be Required to Answer 53 Questions

Anyone travelling to or from Britain will soon have to answer 53 questions as part of the proposed new security measures. Some of the information they would gather would be credit card numbers, e-mail addresses and travel plans for you and anyone in your group. Ideally this would roll out in the summer of 2009. Travelers would submit the information when they buy a ticket and the data will be shared among police, customs, and immigration before the trip takes place. If someone is deemed a threat, officials will deny passage the day of the trip, and even those with outstanding court fines, for example, are subject to be denied a journey.

For the full story in the Daily Mail and to see the list of required information click here.

New Luggage Brand - Marmot

Luggage Guru — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:57:00 +0000

In 1971, University of California Santa Cruz students Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley were in Alaska on the Juneau Icefields on a school project in Glaciology. It was here on the glacier that the idea of a Marmot club began. They then made prototypes of down products in their dorm room. Their first products were a down vest, a sweater and a parka and, later, three down sleeping bags.

In 1976, Eric was one of the firsts in the US to see a new concept in outdoor performance fabrication: Gore-Tex. He was intrigued and, within a couple weeks, had sewn prototype sleeping bags in the new Gore-Tex fabric for field testing - in a commercial frozen meat locker. Everything in the line was changed to Gore-Tex fabrications, including the down garments and all the sleeping bags.

Marmot designed the first Gore-Tex bivy sack, and designed a Gore-Tex, single fabric layer, mountaineering tent: the Taku. Marmot is the oldest customer of Gore in the world outdoor market, but the company has not changed that much in twenty-nine years. It is still all about the highest quality performance product.

MacroLuggage now carries the Marmot brand.

White House Unveils Plan to Ease Holiday Travel Congestion

Luggage Guru — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:33:05 +0000

President Bush ordered that the Pentagon will open unused military airspace from Florida to Maine to create “a Thanksgiving express lane” for commercial airliners. It will be open next week for five days — Wednesday through Sunday — for the busiest days of Thanksgiving travel.

Bush said the problems with delayed flights are “clear to anybody who’s been traveling. Airports are very crowded. Travelers are being stranded and flights are delayed, sometimes with a full load of passengers sitting on the runway for hours.

“These failures carry some real costs for the country, not just in the inconvenience they cause but in the business they obstruct and the family gatherings they cause people to miss,’ the president said. “We can do better.”

The new plan also will be in effect for the Christmas travel season, and White House press secretary Dana Perino said the Federal Aviation Administration was imposing a holiday moratorium on nonessential maintenance projects, allowing all FAA personnel and equipment to be focused on keeping flights on time.

Further, the Department of Transportation will propose doubling the bump fee that airlines must pay to travelers who buy tickets but wind up without a seat. The penalty now is $200 or $400, depending on long the passenger has been inconvenienced. The proposed increase would make the fee $400 to $800. Perino said that rule, if it becomes final, wouldn’t be in place until next summer’s travel season.

Further, officials said the FAA would take other steps to increase efficiency such as rerouting airspace, using technology to fill unused space in the air and on the ground, and using more precise routes for takeoffs and landings.

Another proposed rule would deem the operation of a chronically delayed flight — defined as a flight that operates more than 15 minutes late more than 70 percent of the time — to be an “unfair and deceptive practice.” That designation carries with it substantial monetary penalties.

The president said other steps were under consideration to reduce crowded skies, such as charging airlines higher landing and takeoff fees at peak hours, and auctioning off landing and takeoff rights to the highest bidder.

Domestic carriers are expected to fly roughly 27 million passengers worldwide over 12 days beginning Nov. 16, with planes about 90 percent full, according to the Air Transport Association.

Several airline executives, testifying before the House Transportation Committee Thursday on holiday travel prospects, said they were preparing to care for passengers in the event of weather or air traffic control-related delays.

Jetblue Airways CEO Dave Barger acknowledged that “we let our customers down” last February when hundreds of passengers were stranded on parked JetBlue planes for up to 10 1/2 hours. “In fact, to be candid, we failed them.”

He said that with added deicing equipment and crew and expanded customer service personnel, “JetBlue is ready for the holidays.”

But Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., said there was “some very bad news for people who think there is going to be a quick cure to congestion.” He said that even if everything went smoothly, implementation of the next-generation air traffic control system that should reduce disruptions was at least 15 years off.

Bush, on Sept. 27, announced that his administration was looking at ways to reduce air traffic congestion. The president urged Congress to look at legislation to modernize the FAA, and instructed Peters to report back to him quickly about ways to ensure that air passengers are treated appropriately and progress is made to ease congestion.

Peters said at the time she was asking airlines to meet to formulate a plan to improve scheduling at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest. If no solution is found, she said, the department is prepared to issue a scheduling reduction order.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311793,00.html

Items you can’t bring on an airplane

Luggage Guru — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:48:08 +0000

You are not allowed to bring the following items on an airplane:

Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives.
Scissors with pointed metal tips longer than 4 inches.
Any sharp metal object not specifically stated as permissible, including drills, box cutters, screwdrivers, etc.
Torch lighters (Zippos, etc.)
Guns or realistic replicas.
Baseball bats, crowbars, wrenches, or any other club-like items.
Explosives, such as fireworks, ammunition, or any realistic replica.
Incendiaries, such as cooking fuel, lighter fuel, strike-anywhere matches, paint thinner, or any realistic replica.
Hazardous chemicals, such as chlorine, bleach, spray paint, pepper spray, etc.
Gel shoe inserts
Snow globes and like decorations
Anything that does not meet size requirements.

Coupon Discount Code for MacroLuggage.com

Luggage Guru — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:52:24 +0000

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What items you can bring on an aircraft

Luggage Guru — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:42:39 +0000

I know the list is always changing as to what you can bring on board an aircraft and with holiday travels coming up in the next 2 months this may change. You are currently allowed to bring the following items on an airplane:

Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids.
Cigar Cutters
Corkscrews
Cuticle Cutters
Eyeglass Repair Tools - including screwdrivers.
Eyelash Curlers
Knitting and Crochet Needles
Nail Clippers & Files
Safety Razors - including disposable razors.
Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tips, or metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length.
Toy Weapons - if not realistic replicas.
Tweezers
Umbrellas- allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed.
Walking Canes - allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed.
Medically necessary items, such as insulin, unused or preloaded syringes, etc. These items must be presented for inspection at security checkpoints.
Book type, strike-on-cover matches (4 books max).
Non-torch lighters.
Tools used to put on or remove prosthetic devices.
Camcorders and most other camera equipment.
Laptop computers.
Mobile phones, pagers, and PDA’s.
Musical instruments that meet size requirements.

More airline regulations

Luggage Guru — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:41:50 +0000

Reasonable amounts of the excepted items are allowed in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to:

Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
Declare the items to airport security personnel.
Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray.

Camping Trip Tips

Luggage Guru — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:00:46 +0000

On your first camping trip? Don’t forget these items:

Hunting knife
Compass
Plenty of water
Waterproof matches
Portable Stove
Pots/Pans
Cooler
Snakebite kit
Medical Kit
Non-perishable food
Lantern/Kerosene
Battery charger
Hiking boots
Sleeping Bag
Air Mattress
Backpack