If, like me, you like travelling light then the last few months’ security alert restrictions have been a red rag to your minimalist-packing pride.
I am, nonetheless, a bit embarrassed that I managed a 2-night trip to Milan with only a City Tote that just fitted within the 16×35x45cm security alert restrictions (It’s amazing what you can fit in a bag this size).
To beat the ban on carrying toiletries and makeup, I bought the bare necessities, once through security (air-side Boots and Super Drug do a comprehensive line of miniature supplies).
The great thing that came out of this alert was that bulging, inflexible, heavy wheelie cases were outlawed and what a dream boarding became. Carry-on wheelies, in my mind, are the 4×4s of hand luggage, hogging the overhead bins and creating ugly wheelie-rage and miserable passengers as they are wrestled out of the cabin and into the hold.
Anyway, last month the size of hand luggage reverted back to their pre-alert dimensions (BA’s is 56×45x25cm, but please check your own airline before flying!).
And this week passengers are once again allowed toiletries in their hand luggage… Hurrah! BUT in very small quantities (100ml of each if you’re flying out of Europe, 90ml/3oz of each if you’re flying out of the States) AND you must fit all of them comfortably into a clear zipper or re-sealable plastic bag no bigger than 20×20cm (approx 8″square).This handy picture, from our ever-helpful BBC website, illustrates just how small that is.
If you are emotionally dependent on your favourite shampoo, make up and other potions, and still want to travel light, you are going to have to buy some decent watertight containers to decant them into. It’s all sounding a bit messy to me.
Like a challenge?
You can’t beat Muji Online for simple, unfussy clear things that are also incredibly cheap. Worth getting in a job lot in my opinion, whilst stocks last. Here’s a tiny selection of useful things from them that would fit your survival kit:
Bon Voyage!
2 Comments
Gosh, you are right about the wheelies, people are so rude about them. It’s as if people leave their manners at the security check in and pick them up on the way out.
I don’t know how many times I’ve had to repack someones wheely in the overhead bin because they put it in the wrong way, hogging all the space unnecessarily. I could rant for hours on this topic!
BTW, I just love the city tote. Just think how stylish the plane would look with Bown Bags everywhere
And I’m sure people would be much more civil with them in hand. How could you not?
Judy, your bags are absolutely lovely. So is your website, and your diary makes me want to visit! Congratulations on your line! I think the totes are simply beautiful.
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