Columnist and seasoned traveler Leslie Kouba shares hard-earned packing wisdom—ranging from TSA mishaps to snack hacks and minimalist strategies—reminding us that traveling light isn’t just about luggage, but about freeing the mind to simply be.
Columnist and seasoned traveler Leslie Kouba shares hard-earned packing wisdom—ranging from TSA mishaps to snack hacks and minimalist strategies—reminding us that traveling light isn’t just about luggage, but about freeing the mind to simply be.
Packing for any vacation, no matter the number or age of the travelers is challenging. Destination, mode of travel, weather, planned activities, duration and personal needs all influence what goes into the carryon, personal bag and checked bag. I seldom check a bag because the airlines charge you for the service, and I really like knowing where my suitcase is at all times. Of course, there’s an abundance of travel advice online. Bloggers, vloggers, patriots, expats and travel agents stand by, ready to tell us how to pick, plan and pack an adventure. How people’s opinions have blossomed into an online superstore of information amazes me, but one must ask the right question to get the proper insights. All the online search engines are now guiding users by artificial intelligence. Being artificial means it can’t read our minds. When I typed the word “packing” it got confused. No, I didn’t mean anything about guns. I meant packing, as in going on a trip. If one travels enough, advice is learned. We figure out how to pack to meet our own needs. Most of my travel is by plane. We don’t care for car trips longer than five hours, and five hours doesn’t get you very far. Air travel is quicker, and since it’s just two of us and no pets, airfare is usually comparable to the cost of driving because hotels, food and gasoline add up. Plus, the strain on a relationship during long road trips is rather costly. Over the years, I’ve come to realize several important travel factors I’ve never seen discussed online. Yes, I’m sure it’s all out there somewhere, but then we’re back to typing in the right question, so, to perhaps be a bit of help, here’s what I’ve learned. No one talks about how to reduce clumsiness. One’s degree of clumsiness in tight places like airport bathroom stalls and jet aisles can be a factor. After clocking seated passengers with a wheeled backpack strapped to my back and having it fall over on a filthy restroom floor multiple times, I’ve discovered a rolling carryon and good size personal bag is safer and easier for all. It’s still sometimes hard to open the bathroom stall door, but at least only the wheels have been in contact with the germs. Traveling snacks are a very important aspect of being on the road or in the air for hours and hours. A bag of Twizzlers is no longer enough. Now protein and salt must be included. And a simple bag of snackages doesn’t “count” in the eyes of the airlines. It’s not a carryon or personal bag – it’s a food bag. Similar to what a horse might use, but we don’t attach it to our face. This is a total win. A warning – I highly recommend packaged food over fresh food. Think nuts, crackers, etc. From experience, I will tell you to never EVER put your biological stuff in a bag beside your electronic stuff . Evidently, biological matter plus electronics equals some sort of recipe for an explosive device. Who knew?I won’t research the veracity of this because I don’t need any kind of agent knocking at my door or putting a warning on my TSA pre-approval. This kernel of advice came straight from a TSA agent, who had to dump the contents of my personal bag on the counter because my apples snuggled up against my Apple, and the screening alarms sounded!. Fly and learn. Packing style is very personal. My mom traveled a lot after my dad passed, going on bus trips, cruises and a few flights to get to the cruises. She stretched packing into a weeklong event. She’d lay everything out on the guest room bed – clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories and jackets. She spent days pondering the best combos and what she needed to go buy. She basically wrestled with her own choices. This apple didn’t fall from that part of the Mom tree. I like choices, but my rule is every piece must go with two other pieces, because mixing and matching reduces the total load. I always pack comfy outfits not fit for public, in case I break out in some foreign rash. Whether the trip is a three day weekend or 10 days abroad, four or five outfits plus underthings and pajamas does it. Shoes. Two pairs and that is all. Really. Wear a pair, take a pair, choosing “opposites.” If I wear sandals to the airport, I pack walking shoes. If I wear walking shoes, then I pack dressy shoes or sandals or dressy sandals. See? Easy peasy. Most destinations have laundry capability, even if it’s simply a sink in which to rinse something out. And if you find you forgot something, there are stores. Packing light means freedom! Trust me. I was an overpacker longer than I’ve been an efficient packer and there have been relapses. It’s hard to feel okay with limited choices, but it reduces wear and tear on our shoulders. Last topic I’ve not found in the wide world of advice – “while traveling.” Whether on a plane, train, or bus, you need only half the entertainment you think you need. No matter how long the trip, one good book, a sleep mask, earplugs and a cell phone are all that’s needed. Most travel time is spent just being, whether awake or asleep. Just being is what people do best. We are human beings, not human doings, as my friend Jancy reminds me. Besides, a little boredom never killed anybody. And if the mind can relax a little in a peaceful bored state – who knows what curiosities may arise? If you decide to pursue some curiosity satisfaction, just be careful with how you word your question when you search online. You don’t want any agents meeting you when you arrive at your destination. Leslie Kouba is a freelance writer residing on Cleveland’s West side and writes regularly for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.BeeGee’s backyard -- What one wild mama taught us about care, community and compassion: Leslie KoubaThe dark truth I found under Alaska’s midnight sun: Leslie Kouba If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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