Many of you have probably never seen me pack. Let me say that I have inherited at least these skills from my father, if none else...I know what is necessary and what isn't and I know how to make things fit where they simply shouldn't.
Luggage restrictions on flights have never been a problem for me. No checked bag? Fine! My backpack can fit two weeks worth of clothes; my briefcase can hold my laptop and all additional items. (I have made obscene amounts of things fit in my "briefcase/purse" that goes under your seat in US flights.)
Heading out of the condo, I was not too concerned. I have a beautiful expanding suitcase and rolling briefcase given to me as graduation presents from my Granna, Uncle, and Aunt. Clothes, toiletries, and the necessary items I had to keep in the condo go in the suitcase. The disgusting amount of computers, DVDs, and paperwork I am taking go in the rolling briefcase. Everything fits.
(I should take a moment here to explain that two months ago, I shipped off several other cases of clothes, shoes, and living equipment via the Marshall Shipping Container. So I will have more for two years than one suitcase worth, but I had to be able to live out of the suitcase and briefcase for about three months.)
Come Thursday, we receive a letter about our flight itinerary and final details. So. Virgin Atlantic. I'm sure you're delightful. BUT A THIRTEEN POUND LIMIT ON TOTAL CARRY-ON HAND LUGGAGE IS JUST NOT GOING TO CUT IT.
Thirteen pounds. I don't know if you can visualize that. Thirteen pounds is what the average five-month old baby weighs. It's nothing, in terms of luggage. It is my briefcase and a laptop. A single laptop. Power cord, wallet, movies, other computers, camera equipment, paperwork, books, candy, Kindle...nope. One Macbook. One briefcase.
So tonight has been some fun scrambling. I'm apparently leaving a bit of a bag at Franna and Leila's in DC, to be retrieved someday. Because while I can make everything physically fit in my suitcase (again...I want it to fit, it's going to fit. It doesn't have a choice in the matter), I can't magically make two laptops and a ton of DVDs weigh less. And, of course, checked baggage has a weight limit of 50 pounds. (This is reasonable.)
Five hours of packing and repacking later...it's close. My suitcase is right on the edge. I have taken out all of the clothes, etc. I can reasonably bear to part with (part of the problem is that I need to be clothed appropriately at fancy receptions on the way...). The briefcase is going to be close. I have two ideas: one, either they'll be nice (I did some research online to see if they actually weigh the things. Apparently they do), or, two, I will happily rooming with some other Marshall Scholar who magically has a lot less and is happy to take ownership of a computer and case of DVDs for a few days.
Hope springs eternal.
I am also allowed a "purse," which may only be used for "normal" purse items, not things that are actually luggage. I am going to consider heavy candy, DVDs, and several other items "normal" for my "purse." Since I never carry a purse, I think I get to define what is normally in it the day of. I'll also be wearing a hoodie with some rather bulging pockets that day.
Good grief.
Thirteen pounds.
This is how they keep flights within the EU cheap. I applaud them. But I would have preferred to know a bit earlier in order to have made other arrangements. Alas.
And here we thought we were being so smart getting that luggage for our travels! Perhaps we should have invested in sturdy, but light-weight, plastic bags to reduce the weight.
ReplyDeletegranna