Preparing for the Sabbatical
Have suitcase will travel . . .
Why does it take so much to prepare for a trip? I am a seasoned traveler but I always find myself trying to pack too much. This time I am determined to travel light because I do not want to be hauling around heavy suitcases for 8 weeks.
Step 1: Dust off the suitcases. That was relatively easy since they have not been unpacked for very long. Dust had not had time to settle on their shiny silver surface. Drag them up from the basement and open them up. They lay on the sofa with their bare compartments yawning like the jaws of hungry beasts. They are eager to be fed the collection of clothes, shoes, books, gifts, and a wide assortment of items to take on my journey.
Step 2: After just a few days, the collection of items looks a bit chaotic with an assortment of clothes, shoes, books, electronic devices, and gifts for the faculty and administrators I meet during my travels. Several shopping bags have served to collect small items that now seem to overwhelm the confines of the luggage.
Step 3: Order those items designed to make my life easier during my travels. In an effort to go light and compact, I have selected a few new devices to ease the burden. Most importantly, a new carry-on bag that is lighter and smaller. My recent travels have served to remind me that boarding a flight these days is not unlike attempting to negotiate the defensive line of a NFL football team determined to block a touchdown. As you board the flight you see an endless line of rolling black bags, backpacks, briefcases, and purses large enough to hide a small child. It seems that more people are packing overstuffed bags on board to avoid the luggage fees. Many of these fierce travelers appear to be on the brink of tipping over as they attempt to loft their 30-40 pound bag over the heads of fellow travelers into an already packed overhead compartment. Sometimes it takes two people to negotiate the task of raising the trunk into a position where they can shove the bag into the narrow space. Everyone breathes easy until the flight arrives at the intended destination. The battle begins anew as the plane slips into the awaiting gate. Passengers surge forward grabbing their prized trunks on wheels, snapping on their cell phones, and jostling each other as if their is a penalty for being the last to exit the plane. As the compartments flip open, I feel the need to wear a helmet to deflect the many objects that will come tumbling out upon arrival at our destination. No MORE! I refuse to continue to participate in this battle against luggage fees. I want to be a role model of a civilized traveler. My luggage will be traveling in the spacious confines of the apparently empty luggage compartment. So luggage handlers be gentle with those silver bags with the red luggage tags. I have entrusted you with my belongings and will gladly pay the necessary fees in order to travel in a civil manner. (Yes, I have baggage insurance . . . it is worth the investment.) Look for me as I whisk through the TSA Security check points. The side pocket on my rolling tote allows rapid and smooth access to my laptop computer. One day's clothing, no liquids, and my electronic gadgets for in-flight entertainment stowed in their nifty little bags. Finish it off with a pillow and lightweight blanket (Even if the airlines offer one of the much abused pillows and/or blankets, I will be using my own pillow and blanket.), a few healthy snacks, and my reading material . . . I am ready to breeze through the airport with the greatest of ease.
Step 4: Now if only my checked luggage were ready to embark on my adventure. The pile of items seems impossible to pack into the confines of the two bags I have selected. I am determined to limit myself to the 22 and 25 inch suitcases. Now comes the challenge of sorting through and eliminating half of all those items that I once thought I might need in the next 2 months. Need I remind myself that I am traveling to China where most of American goods are manufactured. Also, a wise and respectful tourist partakes in the joy of shopping during their travels. Not only does this mean one needs to leave space for all their shopping items to be packed during their journey, but shopping will help the local economy.
Step 1: Dust off the suitcases. That was relatively easy since they have not been unpacked for very long. Dust had not had time to settle on their shiny silver surface. Drag them up from the basement and open them up. They lay on the sofa with their bare compartments yawning like the jaws of hungry beasts. They are eager to be fed the collection of clothes, shoes, books, gifts, and a wide assortment of items to take on my journey.
Step 2: After just a few days, the collection of items looks a bit chaotic with an assortment of clothes, shoes, books, electronic devices, and gifts for the faculty and administrators I meet during my travels. Several shopping bags have served to collect small items that now seem to overwhelm the confines of the luggage.
Step 3: Order those items designed to make my life easier during my travels. In an effort to go light and compact, I have selected a few new devices to ease the burden. Most importantly, a new carry-on bag that is lighter and smaller. My recent travels have served to remind me that boarding a flight these days is not unlike attempting to negotiate the defensive line of a NFL football team determined to block a touchdown. As you board the flight you see an endless line of rolling black bags, backpacks, briefcases, and purses large enough to hide a small child. It seems that more people are packing overstuffed bags on board to avoid the luggage fees. Many of these fierce travelers appear to be on the brink of tipping over as they attempt to loft their 30-40 pound bag over the heads of fellow travelers into an already packed overhead compartment. Sometimes it takes two people to negotiate the task of raising the trunk into a position where they can shove the bag into the narrow space. Everyone breathes easy until the flight arrives at the intended destination. The battle begins anew as the plane slips into the awaiting gate. Passengers surge forward grabbing their prized trunks on wheels, snapping on their cell phones, and jostling each other as if their is a penalty for being the last to exit the plane. As the compartments flip open, I feel the need to wear a helmet to deflect the many objects that will come tumbling out upon arrival at our destination. No MORE! I refuse to continue to participate in this battle against luggage fees. I want to be a role model of a civilized traveler. My luggage will be traveling in the spacious confines of the apparently empty luggage compartment. So luggage handlers be gentle with those silver bags with the red luggage tags. I have entrusted you with my belongings and will gladly pay the necessary fees in order to travel in a civil manner. (Yes, I have baggage insurance . . . it is worth the investment.) Look for me as I whisk through the TSA Security check points. The side pocket on my rolling tote allows rapid and smooth access to my laptop computer. One day's clothing, no liquids, and my electronic gadgets for in-flight entertainment stowed in their nifty little bags. Finish it off with a pillow and lightweight blanket (Even if the airlines offer one of the much abused pillows and/or blankets, I will be using my own pillow and blanket.), a few healthy snacks, and my reading material . . . I am ready to breeze through the airport with the greatest of ease.
Step 4: Now if only my checked luggage were ready to embark on my adventure. The pile of items seems impossible to pack into the confines of the two bags I have selected. I am determined to limit myself to the 22 and 25 inch suitcases. Now comes the challenge of sorting through and eliminating half of all those items that I once thought I might need in the next 2 months. Need I remind myself that I am traveling to China where most of American goods are manufactured. Also, a wise and respectful tourist partakes in the joy of shopping during their travels. Not only does this mean one needs to leave space for all their shopping items to be packed during their journey, but shopping will help the local economy.
Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase
Since returning to Salt Lake City from Texas, I have been stopping at several stores in pursuit of the perfect briefcase to take on my trip. I saw a bag at the airport in the Brookstone store but I did not purchase it as my hands were full and time was short. Unfortunately, the Brookstone store at the Gateway did not have the bag and could not get one before my departure. I searched online and in several more stores with no success. Perhaps I was asking for too much? Essential qualities in my perfect brief are as follows:
1 - Checkpoint Friendly . . . it must have a separate padded compartment for my computer. The compartment must be able to lay flat from the balance of the bag so that it can clear through the TSA checkpoint without having to remove it from the actual bag. One zip and I am done. (Post Trip Comment: Well I had hoped TSA would allow me to leave my laptop in the padded section of my carry-on. Alas TSA and their corresponding security teams, still require that I remove my netbook from the carry-on bag even when the bag is laid flat with the large "checkpoint-friendly" label visible. In Tokyo I was required to even remove the neoprene cover on my netbook and place it in a separate bin. So even TSA claims that they accept "checkpoint-friendly" luggage (A "checkpoint-friendly" bag fulfills the following criteria: it contains a designated section for the laptop only, which has no pockets on the inside or outside, and completely unfolds, enabling it to lay flat on the x-ray belt; it has no metal snaps, buckles, or zippers on the inside, underneath, or on top of the section for the laptop only.) there is no guarantee that these will save you time.
2 - Multiple compartments that all zip closed to contain small items.
3 - Secure area for my travel documents, medications, and wallet.
4 - Lightweight but durable ballistic fabric.
5 - Padded shoulder strap.
6 - Can be carried on the handle of my rolling carry-on without the need for additional straps.
Well I finally found my brief for China. It is larger than I had desired for the brief, but it fulfills all my requirements. Still the bag only weighs 4.4 pounds. It is called the Pathfinder Compubrief Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase. The best news is that it was on sale . . . 40% off!
1 - Checkpoint Friendly . . . it must have a separate padded compartment for my computer. The compartment must be able to lay flat from the balance of the bag so that it can clear through the TSA checkpoint without having to remove it from the actual bag. One zip and I am done. (Post Trip Comment: Well I had hoped TSA would allow me to leave my laptop in the padded section of my carry-on. Alas TSA and their corresponding security teams, still require that I remove my netbook from the carry-on bag even when the bag is laid flat with the large "checkpoint-friendly" label visible. In Tokyo I was required to even remove the neoprene cover on my netbook and place it in a separate bin. So even TSA claims that they accept "checkpoint-friendly" luggage (A "checkpoint-friendly" bag fulfills the following criteria: it contains a designated section for the laptop only, which has no pockets on the inside or outside, and completely unfolds, enabling it to lay flat on the x-ray belt; it has no metal snaps, buckles, or zippers on the inside, underneath, or on top of the section for the laptop only.) there is no guarantee that these will save you time.
2 - Multiple compartments that all zip closed to contain small items.
3 - Secure area for my travel documents, medications, and wallet.
4 - Lightweight but durable ballistic fabric.
5 - Padded shoulder strap.
6 - Can be carried on the handle of my rolling carry-on without the need for additional straps.
Well I finally found my brief for China. It is larger than I had desired for the brief, but it fulfills all my requirements. Still the bag only weighs 4.4 pounds. It is called the Pathfinder Compubrief Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase. The best news is that it was on sale . . . 40% off!