Packing For BlogHer: I've Got A Strategy

I have a trio of fun giveaways going on right now:

Family calendar giveaway from BusyBodyBook right here.

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness game for the Wii right here.

Spinbrush MyWay! (for girls) battery operated toothbrush right here.

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So in - let's see - less than nine hours, I will be in the air on my way to New York City for Blogher '10. There's a reason that I'm not yet asleep, but I'm actually not quite sure what that is. Maybe it's just practice for my sleep deprivation while at BlogHer.

The good news is that I'm pretty much packed. And I say pretty much because not everything is in my suitcase. But I am a champion packer, so I know I can finish it lightning quick. I have a strategy for packing.

There are certain things I've learned that make packing and getting to the airport much easier for me. And since I'm such a nice person, I'm going to share them with you!

My Top Ten Packing Strategies

1) That one-quart bag that you're allowed to bring in your carry on with your up to 3.4 ounce liquid items? Put it in the outer pocket of your carry on or in your purse. No digging, no delays, just a quick zip and you've got it out and ready.

2) It's possible that I sometimes cheat with my carry ons. I will put my purse into a carry on as I'm going through security if I need to - when I take out my laptop, I can sneak my purse in and voila, an extra carry on, if needed. I will say that I still put only one item in the overhead compartment; the rest goes under the seat in front of me. I'm not a carry on storage hog!

3) To avoid digging through everything to get my license to go through security, when I arrive at the airport, my license goes into my front pocket so that I've got it handy - especially if my purse is inside another carry on! Once I'm through security, the purse comes out and my license goes right back in its place.

4) I always wear easy slip on shoes when going through security, too. When it's summer, those slip on shoes are frequently ones where I'm not wearing socks. There is no way that I'm going to walk barefoot on the airport floor though. Call me a wimp, but the thought just skeeves me out. Instead, I carry a pair of socks in my purse (or outside pocket of my carry on) strategically placed so that I can easily grab the socks and put them on while I'm without my shoes.

5) I carry a reusable water bottle with me almost everywhere I go. Headed to NYC for five days? It's definitely joining me. I'm not going to waste the space that my forty ounce bottle takes inside a carry on, though. I use a carabiner to attach the bottle to the outside of a carry on, and it's easily passed through. Bonus? Once I'm through security, I can fill up my water bottle giving me plenty to drink on the plane without having to wait for service aboard the plane.

6) I always pack a few little snacks. They are always ones that can't be crushed (no potato chips!) and are shelf stable (duh?), as well as being ones that don't smell. There's nothing worse - ok, there is, but this is still a pet peeve of mine - than getting on a small plane with recirculated air and having to smell other people's food. Granola bars are perfect for this, and I've got a few packed in my purse already.

7) All my electronic chargers are in one place. I usually put them in the outside pocket of my carry on, and they are somehow magically the right size. It makes them easy to access when I'm in the airport and need to charge something while I'm waiting around. Plus, it makes it super easy to unpack and find everything once you've arrived at your destination. Everything in its place and all.

8) I carry a couple extra packs of gum with me when I'm traveling, too. When you're in the dry air of an airplane for an extended period, you start to feel dehydrated. If you don't have a water bottle or other beverage available, gum is a great way to keep your mouth from drying out.

9) I know I'm not alone in this one, but I dress to avoid having to pack extra items. I tend to wear simmilar colors, which means I need fewer purses, jewelry, and shoes. I will actually change out outfits to ensure that I'm not causing myself to carry more luggage. Fortunately, there are some color palettes that I tend to like.

10) Did I mention that I always check in online? You can check in up to twenty-four hours before your flight, including checking luggage now (cheaper than doing it at the airport!). If I don't have a seat assignment or I don't like my seat, checking in early gives me a better shot at grabbing one of the seats that has been released. But if I still don't have a seat (and I don't for Sunday's flight back), there's no panic. I still have a ticket, and they'll find a seat for me unless I choose to give it up for compensation from the airline. If I don't like my seat, I can always request a seat change at the gate. I don't always get it, but it never hurts to ask!

So with that, I'm off to go finish my packing. BlogHer in T minus not enough hours!