Pack Your Suitcase As Efficiently As A Flight Attendant

The New York Times featured the packing strategies of flight-attendant Heather Poole, who frequently lives out of a carry-on for 10 days at a time. With baggage fees higher than ever, knowing how to efficiently pack a carry-on can save you a bunch of money when travelling by air. Here’s how to do it.

Like we’ve suggested before, Heather rolls her clothes to avoid wrinkles and save space. One important note, however, is that she sets those rolls aside rather than packing them as soon as she’s created them. She first puts her shoes in the carry-on bag, then starts adding the heavier layers of rolled clothing. She then continues adding clothing in order of heaviest to lightest. For example, pants go in first because they’re heavier and larger, then followed by lighter shirts, then topped with undergarments. This order makes it easier for the items to compress when the suitcase closes. Toiletries and other items then go on top as the toiletry bag often contains liquids and needs to be removed quickly for security screenings.

Packing the same items, using other methods, results in an un-closable suitcase. Next time you pack, make sure you roll your clothing and pack from heaviest to lightest in order to easily fit everything you need.

Got any other great packing tips? Let’s hear ’em in the comments!

10 Days in a Carry-On [New York Times via Dave Bradford]