I always pack essential items in my carry-on luggage rather than in my checked or hold luggage.
While checked luggage can get lost, delayed, or damaged while away from your gaze, keeping essential items with you in your carry-on ensures that you have immediate access to them.
Here is why I avoid packing essential items in the hold luggage:
1. Immediate Access
Items in your carry-on are easily accessible during the flight, allowing you to retrieve essential items without having to wait for your checked luggage.
2. Avoiding Lost Luggage Issues
Checked luggage can sometimes be lost, delayed, or misplaced by airlines. By keeping essential items with you, you reduce the risk of being without crucial belongings upon arrival.
3. In-Flight Necessities
During the flight, you may need essential items such as medications, personal documents, a change of clothes, or other necessities. Having these in your carry-on ensures you’re well-prepared throughout the journey.
4. Security and Customs Clearance
Carry-ons go through security checks and customs clearance with you, allowing you to keep a close eye on your essential items and ensuring they meet security regulations.
5. Travel Delays or Layovers
If you experience travel delays, layovers, or unexpected changes to your itinerary, having essential items in your carry-on can be crucial. You won’t be dependent on the availability of your checked luggage.
6. Medical Necessities
If you have prescription medications or medical supplies, it’s advisable to keep them in your carry-on to ensure you have them on hand in case of need.
7. Valuables and Important Documents
Valuables such as jewellery, electronic devices, and important documents (passport, travel itinerary, etc.) should be kept in your carry-on to minimize the risk of loss or theft.
8. Changing Travel Plans
If your travel plans change unexpectedly, having essential items in your carry-on allows you to adapt more easily without relying on your checked luggage.
9. Minimising Disruptions
In the event of lost or delayed checked luggage, not having essential items can cause significant disruptions to your travel plans. Keeping them in your carry-on helps minimize potential inconveniences.
10. Limited Liability for Airlines
Airlines have limited liability for certain valuable or essential items stored in checked luggage. Keeping them in your carry-on provides better protection in case of loss or damage.
Top Tip: If you have something that you need for you to relax and enjoy your holiday make sure you put it in your hand luggage. I always take my favourite pair of walking shoes with me on the plane just in case my checked luggage gets left behind or goes missing. My luggage was left behind at London Heathrow when I went hiking in a remote location. Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy walking boots for love or money so my hiking holiday was spent with soggy feet.
