Travelers didnt have to consider how to pack a backpack and skip the baggage fees 20 years ago.
Packing for a flight was a lot simpler.
But things have long since changed.
So, many passengers started strategically packing everything in carry-on bags.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries… ## Why Pack Just a Backpack for a Trip?
Its pretty simple: It can save a lot of money.
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Thats where the backpack comes in.
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But whether its right for your trip depends on a few factors.
Why go to the trouble if you dont have to?
Youll generally find these fees for carry-on bags on just about any low-cost airline based in the U.S.
Along with Spirit and Frontier, Allegiant and Avelo are other such domestic airlines.
There also are low-cost airlines that fly between the U.S. and Europe or Latin America that have similar policies.
JetBlue calls these tickets Blue Basic.
United, for instance, defines such luggage as 9 inches by 10 inches by 17 inches.
Universally, though, were talking backpacks, purses and shoulder or laptop-throw in bags.
But be sure to consider the weather and your activities at your destination.
Instead, its about efficiency and easy access.
Obviously, you wont be able to load up on heavy gear.
Pack volume is key here.
Youll want medium-weight items and other travel essentials to get you through a brief trip.
Lighter items and versatile clothing will help you make use of what limited space youll have.
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Being deliberate about how you pack is key.
A packing cube set can help you pack your bag and keep some semblance of organization throughout your trip.
You might use one cube for clean clothes and another for dirty clothes, for instance.
Youll want easy access to some of your belongings during the flight.
Security is where your toiletries come into play.
Dont want to buy an expensive bottle of water after security?
If you cant meet these requirements, youll want to plan and budget for a checked bag.
Have one member of your party bring and pay for a checked or full-sized carry-on bag.
Everyone can share the larger bag and also go the backpack route.
Need to Sit Together?
That might mean you dont get a seat next to your family members or others in your traveling party.
Sometravel credit cardseven reimburse certain expenses.
He previously spent eight years as a local television news reporter.
Sean lives in North Carolinas Research Triangle.
