Pittsburgh Business Times, Jan. 27, 2012 - by James Cannon
Most so-called travel “experts” usually advise people to pack lightly and carry only the most essential things.
Because I spend a great deal of my life living out of a suitcase, I take the opposite stance. I always check a bag.
Every once in a while, I debate whether I should check a bag or take a carry-on. I had a quick three-day trip last week, and although I packed a wheeled carry-on, I checked it at the last minute.
Upon my return, with two connecting flights, both of which involved clearing customs and going through security, I started having second thoughts about having checked my bag. Considering that both flights also ran late and that my connections were very tight, I felt very smug when my bag arrived in Pittsburgh at the same time I did!
One of the positive things about the new security procedures since the Sept. 11 attacks is that luggage is very closely tied to the passenger. The other thing to remember is that connecting flight luggage does not travel from plane to plane in the same way passengers do.
In the past 10 years, the only times my bags have not arrived with me were because of some truly extraordinary events. These events included: a complete blackout of Brazil; European flights canceled due to a volcanic eruption; an earthquake in Chile that paralyzed the entire country; and other circumstances no one could have planned for in advance.
Traveling is stressful enough without some basic comforts. I prefer using my own shaving cream, toothpaste and deodorant that do not come in three-ounce sizes. Although I use a Kindle, I usually also take two or three library books with me. I also like to carry a fat Swiss Army knife with a dozen tools that have come in handy over the years. I usually take one or two extra shirts, pants, shoes, etc. Even if I don’t need the extra clothing, it gives me the same feeling of having choices that I get when I walk into my closet at home.
Like most business travelers, when I arrive someplace, I take a taxi to my hotel, where someone takes my bag to my room. Intellectually, I understand how some people feel more comfortable taking everything with them.
Years ago, I always worried about taking sales presentations and catalogs in my suitcase in case my bag was lost. Today, any presentations or catalogs I carry are either on a disk or a thumb drive, which can easily be carried in my briefcase, and, if necessary, quickly duplicated.
Anything that one can do to make traveling easier and less stressful is valuable. I can honestly say that, in all of my years of traveling, I have yet to see the time when carrying my bag, rather than checking it, would have been beneficial to me.If you want my “expert” advice, check your bag.
Relax and enjoy the trip!
By James Cannon, an international marketing consultant for more than 30 years, can be reached at pittcannon@msn.com.
