Comments on: Airport Frugality in the Era of New Security Regulations http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: i http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-512224 i Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:43:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-512224 new protest song on myspace,in reference to the expenses one spends at the airport,this song should be a huge hit,if we all protest.check it out if you can, myspace.com/antoneefirstclass new protest song on myspace,in reference to the expenses one spends at the airport,this song should be a huge hit,if we all protest.check it out if you can,

myspace.com/antoneefirstclass

]]> By: Leah http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-158409 Leah Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:25:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-158409 to piggy back on this thread - I always pack a lunch (sandwich, apple, granola bar) and a book on a trip. Also, to add to the empty water bottle, tap water tastes BAD. Those crystal lite togo packs to flavor the water are decent and only cost $1.50 a box at Wal Mart. And to add to the shoes off - wear slip ons with socks folks. A friend of mine got ringworm from the dirty floors at the airport! to piggy back on this thread – I always pack a lunch (sandwich, apple, granola bar) and a book on a trip. Also, to add to the empty water bottle, tap water tastes BAD. Those crystal lite togo packs to flavor the water are decent and only cost $1.50 a box at Wal Mart.
And to add to the shoes off – wear slip ons with socks folks. A friend of mine got ringworm from the dirty floors at the airport!

]]> By: Monica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-153640 Monica Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:34:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-153640 You forgot to mention getting meal vouchers. Anytime I am ever delayed, I go to the desk and ask for compensation. I almost always get a meal voucher for free food while in the airport. I don't know if I happen to always get the seriously delayed flights to where I'm eligible but it never hurts to ask. You forgot to mention getting meal vouchers. Anytime I am ever delayed, I go to the desk and ask for compensation. I almost always get a meal voucher for free food while in the airport. I don’t know if I happen to always get the seriously delayed flights to where I’m eligible but it never hurts to ask.

]]> By: ryan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-153600 ryan Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:08:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-153600 As a former hotel manager I will say this. I can't think of a situation where anyone would object to someone taking their shampoo, conditioner etc. with them at the end of their stay. As has already been mentioned it's just going in the trash anyway. In fact if someone would come to the front desk we would just give them pretty much whatever they wanted within reason. On the other hand guests that take the shampoo every day for a multiple day stay, forcing housekeeping to bring in more if it's not needed always made me angry. As a former hotel manager I will say this. I can’t think of a situation where anyone would object to someone taking their shampoo, conditioner etc. with them at the end of their stay. As has already been mentioned it’s just going in the trash anyway. In fact if someone would come to the front desk we would just give them pretty much whatever they wanted within reason. On the other hand guests that take the shampoo every day for a multiple day stay, forcing housekeeping to bring in more if it’s not needed always made me angry.

]]> By: Heather http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-153510 Heather Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:17:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-153510 There are small toothpaste tubes, generally that fit on the bottom of travel toothbrushes, which are easily refilled. They thread onto the top of regular toothpaste tubes. Do a search for "refillable handle toothpaste" There are small toothpaste tubes, generally that fit on the bottom of travel toothbrushes, which are easily refilled. They thread onto the top of regular toothpaste tubes. Do a search for “refillable handle toothpaste”

]]> By: db http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-153259 db Sat, 12 Jan 2008 05:01:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-153259 @Kat: I hope the TSA people felt proud to make your poor mother strip down to her skin and then bruise her. Poor woman! That's absolutely ridiculous. @Kat:

I hope the TSA people felt proud to make your poor mother strip down to her skin and then bruise her. Poor woman! That’s absolutely ridiculous.

]]> By: turbogeek http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-153016 turbogeek Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:31:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-153016 "The Container Store" has a section of little bottles and such designed to solve the 'how do I carry it these days' dilemma. They are pricier than some other 'little bottles', but don't leak. I traveled for 10+ years, 4 to 6 flights per week, and in that time I only checked a bag a dozen or so times (I logged 2 million miles with American from 1998 to 2007). It can be done frugally. Aritificial fibers, like polyester, will pack smaller with less wrinkling than natural fibers like cotton, they are also typically lighter (compare a pair of polyester trousers to a pair of jeans - big difference). The $300+ bags (like Tumi) seem pricey, but if you are traveling a lot a bag that is 2 pounds lighter, durable enough to take the abuse, and has lots of 'load cinching' straps and pouches will let you pack a lot more. When you can fit more into less space you are 1) less in need of purchases on your journey, and 2) less cranky because the bag is a more manageable size. “The Container Store” has a section of little bottles and such designed to solve the ‘how do I carry it these days’ dilemma. They are pricier than some other ‘little bottles’, but don’t leak.

I traveled for 10+ years, 4 to 6 flights per week, and in that time I only checked a bag a dozen or so times (I logged 2 million miles with American from 1998 to 2007). It can be done frugally. Aritificial fibers, like polyester, will pack smaller with less wrinkling than natural fibers like cotton, they are also typically lighter (compare a pair of polyester trousers to a pair of jeans – big difference). The $300+ bags (like Tumi) seem pricey, but if you are traveling a lot a bag that is 2 pounds lighter, durable enough to take the abuse, and has lots of ‘load cinching’ straps and pouches will let you pack a lot more. When you can fit more into less space you are 1) less in need of purchases on your journey, and 2) less cranky because the bag is a more manageable size.

]]> By: Sunbee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152988 Sunbee Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:42:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152988 It depends on why you're traveling and how much flexibility you have, but the last time we needed to make a longer trip than we cared to drive we took a train. It worked out pretty well for us: even with buying some food on the train it cost only about half of plane tickets. (We brought granola bars and such with us.) There was security, but they were polite and reasonable, and the security requirements were sensible. If you are accustomned to airplanes you will not believe how big train seats are: they recline and you can comfortably sleep in them. The only downside was that some of the tracks were very rough and the children got motion sick. The children were fine on the sailboat at the wedding at our destination, so that gives you an idea how bad the tracks were. I swore off plane traveling after flying eight months pregnant with an 18 month old. No chairs to sit on to get the kid's shoes off, let alone mine, and it wasn't like I could even see my feet! Just plain inconsiderate, and that was four years ago. TSA seems to be much more badly behaved now. It depends on why you’re traveling and how much flexibility you have, but the last time we needed to make a longer trip than we cared to drive we took a train. It worked out pretty well for us: even with buying some food on the train it cost only about half of plane tickets. (We brought granola bars and such with us.) There was security, but they were polite and reasonable, and the security requirements were sensible. If you are accustomned to airplanes you will not believe how big train seats are: they recline and you can comfortably sleep in them. The only downside was that some of the tracks were very rough and the children got motion sick. The children were fine on the sailboat at the wedding at our destination, so that gives you an idea how bad the tracks were.

I swore off plane traveling after flying eight months pregnant with an 18 month old. No chairs to sit on to get the kid’s shoes off, let alone mine, and it wasn’t like I could even see my feet! Just plain inconsiderate, and that was four years ago. TSA seems to be much more badly behaved now.

]]> By: Kat http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152970 Kat Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:00:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152970 Interesting to see what people find acceptable by the TSA and what isn't. Our airport, even if you have flip flops on, the shoes MUST come off. Underwires have never been a problem for me and neither has my skirt wearing habit. My S.O. has had issues with bringing his CAP machine, even with a note from the dr. My mother has had issues of being able to fly out of one airport with two ziplock baggies, one for her medicine and the other for makeup, etc and then when flying out of a different airport being told she must have all of her stuff in one. Of course she lost a lot of little stuff because she couldn't fit all of her cancer meds in the bag with her makeup, so out the makeup went. My dad even tried to take some of her stuff and they wouldn't let him. She has also had problems wearing sweat shirts. She was pulled out of line and told to remove it. She had just had surgery on her breast and couldn't move her arm very much and was not wearing a t-shirt. The TSA agent got mad at her and my father who tried to help her and then patted her down so rough she was bruised. Of course filing a compliant does nothing. Interesting to see what people find acceptable by the TSA and what isn’t. Our airport, even if you have flip flops on, the shoes MUST come off. Underwires have never been a problem for me and neither has my skirt wearing habit.
My S.O. has had issues with bringing his CAP machine, even with a note from the dr. My mother has had issues of being able to fly out of one airport with two ziplock baggies, one for her medicine and the other for makeup, etc and then when flying out of a different airport being told she must have all of her stuff in one. Of course she lost a lot of little stuff because she couldn’t fit all of her cancer meds in the bag with her makeup, so out the makeup went. My dad even tried to take some of her stuff and they wouldn’t let him.
She has also had problems wearing sweat shirts. She was pulled out of line and told to remove it. She had just had surgery on her breast and couldn’t move her arm very much and was not wearing a t-shirt. The TSA agent got mad at her and my father who tried to help her and then patted her down so rough she was bruised. Of course filing a compliant does nothing.

]]> By: mp http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152926 mp Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:40:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152926 Like other people have mentioned, refilling the small bottles of contact lens solution is a risk because the solution would no longer be sterile. After dealing with multiple contact solution recalls as well as a couple of minor eye irritations/infections that required doctor visits, I switched the daily disposable contact lenses. Considering the fact that I no longer have to buy contact solution and I haven't had an eye problems since getting them, I think the cost works out almost the same as using 2 week or monthly disposables. Like other people have mentioned, refilling the small bottles of contact lens solution is a risk because the solution would no longer be sterile. After dealing with multiple contact solution recalls as well as a couple of minor eye irritations/infections that required doctor visits, I switched the daily disposable contact lenses. Considering the fact that I no longer have to buy contact solution and I haven’t had an eye problems since getting them, I think the cost works out almost the same as using 2 week or monthly disposables.

]]> By: Jen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152902 Jen Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:55:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152902 if you wear the "Chuck Taylor" style of sneakers, they don't ask you to take your shoes off as the soles are flat and very thin. Also, don't refill your contact solution bottle, it's not sanitary. Call your eye doctor and see if they can set you up. Same with your dentist and little tubes of toothpaste. Here's one, we were flying with our toddler after he was off of bottles (about 15mo) but still drank whole milk. A baby bottle of milk is allowed, but sippy cups of milk are up to the descretion of the TSA agent. So we took a baby bottle of milk, and an empty sippy. In the airport, poured the milk into the sippy. A little dishonest, but whole milk is crutial before 2yrs for brain development, and I don't bend when it comes to my kids. LLBean makes a healthy back bag that my mother got me for Christmas a few years ago, and I only use it for traveling. It's deceptively large. I think I could go for an overnight trip with just it. But it's also compact and the way it sits on the shoulder really does make it seem lighter. Finally, if you're really interested in saving packing space, REI sells underwear made out of a fabric that dries really quickly. They claim that they dry overnight, so you wash them everynight in the hotel and they're dry in the morning and you don't need to pack any undies at all. But I think I would pack a spare in case they didn't dry that fast. I think they make socks too. Isn't that a riot, traveling for an indefinite period of time with 1 pair of undies and 1 pr of socks. if you wear the “Chuck Taylor” style of sneakers, they don’t ask you to take your shoes off as the soles are flat and very thin.

Also, don’t refill your contact solution bottle, it’s not sanitary. Call your eye doctor and see if they can set you up.

Same with your dentist and little tubes of toothpaste.

Here’s one, we were flying with our toddler after he was off of bottles (about 15mo) but still drank whole milk. A baby bottle of milk is allowed, but sippy cups of milk are up to the descretion of the TSA agent. So we took a baby bottle of milk, and an empty sippy. In the airport, poured the milk into the sippy. A little dishonest, but whole milk is crutial before 2yrs for brain development, and I don’t bend when it comes to my kids.

LLBean makes a healthy back bag that my mother got me for Christmas a few years ago, and I only use it for traveling. It’s deceptively large. I think I could go for an overnight trip with just it. But it’s also compact and the way it sits on the shoulder really does make it seem lighter.

Finally, if you’re really interested in saving packing space, REI sells underwear made out of a fabric that dries really quickly. They claim that they dry overnight, so you wash them everynight in the hotel and they’re dry in the morning and you don’t need to pack any undies at all. But I think I would pack a spare in case they didn’t dry that fast. I think they make socks too. Isn’t that a riot, traveling for an indefinite period of time with 1 pair of undies and 1 pr of socks.

]]> By: Gayle http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152882 Gayle Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:20:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152882 The bulk of my travel these days is international and to some fairly remote places. I try to make it as easy on myself as possible when I know I am going to be travelling for sometimes 24-36 hours. Pack lightly, they are enforcing weight and size limits. Don't invite them to hassle you. A friend of mine tried to sneak by, and then tried to charm them into it. He came within minutes of missing the weekly flight to our African destination. Had to dump his excess on the spot. Girls, forget the underwires, they will cause you grief, and you won't like that patdown. Comfortable, slip on shoes. Socks, you don't want to be walking barefoot on those floors anywhere in the world. Extra quart size ziploc bags, I have come to the rescue for quite a few people just giving them away in line. They will sell you one for a dollar if you forget, or think they are not really serious about that requirement. They are. I have had water bottles confiscated any number of places inside of security areas. Then they sell you another one in that particular airport. It's a racket and you know it, but there is no way I am drinking out of anything but a water bottle that I personally unsealed. This is not a frugality issue it is a health issue. For me spending a few dollars in airports for convenience is not a big deal and saves me a lot of hassle with inspections and running through airports with heavy loads. On domestic returns I check everything but my purse and reading materials and find it to be very freeing. I also have a nice jacket with inside pockets that is very handy. The bulk of my travel these days is international and to some fairly remote places. I try to make it as easy on myself as possible when I know I am going to be travelling for sometimes 24-36 hours.

Pack lightly, they are enforcing weight and size limits. Don’t invite them to hassle you. A friend of mine tried to sneak by, and then tried to charm them into it. He came within minutes of missing the weekly flight to our African destination. Had to dump his excess on the spot.

Girls, forget the underwires, they will cause you grief, and you won’t like that patdown. Comfortable, slip on shoes. Socks, you don’t want to be walking barefoot on those floors anywhere in the world. Extra quart size ziploc bags, I have come to the rescue for quite a few people just giving them away in line. They will sell you one for a dollar if you forget, or think they are not really serious about that requirement. They are.

I have had water bottles confiscated any number of places inside of security areas. Then they sell you another one in that particular airport. It’s a racket and you know it, but there is no way I am drinking out of anything but a water bottle that I personally unsealed. This is not a frugality issue it is a health issue.

For me spending a few dollars in airports for convenience is not a big deal and saves me a lot of hassle with inspections and running through airports with heavy loads. On domestic returns I check everything but my purse and reading materials and find it to be very freeing. I also have a nice jacket with inside pockets that is very handy.

]]> By: ablemabel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152876 ablemabel Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:57:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152876 You can bring real food through security as long as it isn't liquid. I often bring sandwiches, pasta salads, or any other solid leftovers. Personally I can't survive 8 hours of traveling with granola bars! a small tube of toothpaste only costs about a dollar, and if you don't travel often it will last a long time. I *definitely* agree with carrying on a few changes of clothing, especially if you are attending an important event the next day. I can't tell you how many times (I travel frequently for business) I've heard people lamenting that the airline lost the clothes they need for the funeral the next day, the job interview the next day, etc. All my frugality is going to be wasted though, when I succumb to the intense desire to buy the sound-reducing headphones... must...resist... You can bring real food through security as long as it isn’t liquid. I often bring sandwiches, pasta salads, or any other solid leftovers. Personally I can’t survive 8 hours of traveling with granola bars!

a small tube of toothpaste only costs about a dollar, and if you don’t travel often it will last a long time.

I *definitely* agree with carrying on a few changes of clothing, especially if you are attending an important event the next day. I can’t tell you how many times (I travel frequently for business) I’ve heard people lamenting that the airline lost the clothes they need for the funeral the next day, the job interview the next day, etc.

All my frugality is going to be wasted though, when I succumb to the intense desire to buy the sound-reducing headphones… must…resist…

]]> By: Lisa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152873 Lisa Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:54:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152873 Agree on the slip on shoes. When I get to the airport, I pack my winter coat in the top of my check-in suit case (knock on wood, I haven't lost it yet) so I don't have to go through security with it or find space on in the cabin for it. I long ago quit with the pesky contacts and got glasses. A trip involving snorkling only required a free sample of contacts from my generous eye doctor. I travel a lot so I too keep the prepacked toiletries bag (with its own toothbrush etc. so nothing is forgotten). I've learned the hard way to check before hand if any of my flights are the little commuter jets that don't take the big carry-ons. Then I can plan accordingly to put the stuff I don't want lost in the smaller bag that stays in the cabin (ie: legal papers, cell phone, passport, etc.). Agree on the slip on shoes. When I get to the airport, I pack my winter coat in the top of my check-in suit case (knock on wood, I haven’t lost it yet) so I don’t have to go through security with it or find space on in the cabin for it. I long ago quit with the pesky contacts and got glasses. A trip involving snorkling only required a free sample of contacts from my generous eye doctor. I travel a lot so I too keep the prepacked toiletries bag (with its own toothbrush etc. so nothing is forgotten).
I’ve learned the hard way to check before hand if any of my flights are the little commuter jets that don’t take the big carry-ons. Then I can plan accordingly to put the stuff I don’t want lost in the smaller bag that stays in the cabin (ie: legal papers, cell phone, passport, etc.).

]]> By: jill http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152864 jill Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:40:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152864 I also do the empty water bottle technique(I'm not sure how airport water could be germier than water anywhere else, since it all comes from the same source?). I also bring an empty starbucks travel mug and my own tea bags or packets of "java juice" (single serving coffee extract foil packsthat are .5 oz each). I always offer to pay something for the hot water from Starbucks, but they've always given it to me for free. I also do the empty water bottle technique(I’m not sure how airport water could be germier than water anywhere else, since it all comes from the same source?). I also bring an empty starbucks travel mug and my own tea bags or packets of “java juice” (single serving coffee extract foil packsthat are .5 oz each). I always offer to pay something for the hot water from Starbucks, but they’ve always given it to me for free.

]]> By: singlemomindebt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152786 singlemomindebt Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:40:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152786 I'm with Adam on grabbing the miniature toiletries from hotels, and I even go one step further...I'll ask for extras, haha. I have a basket of them at home that I grab anytime I'm going to be traveling. In that basket, I also have things from previous international flights I've taken where they give you a grab back of goodies like toothbrushes and miniature tubes of toothpaste, combs, etc. Additionally, most hotels even keep toothpaste, combs, toothbrushes, etc at the check in desk and will give you one if you ask. You may call me cheap, but I say thrifty! I’m with Adam on grabbing the miniature toiletries from hotels, and I even go one step further…I’ll ask for extras, haha. I have a basket of them at home that I grab anytime I’m going to be traveling. In that basket, I also have things from previous international flights I’ve taken where they give you a grab back of goodies like toothbrushes and miniature tubes of toothpaste, combs, etc. Additionally, most hotels even keep toothpaste, combs, toothbrushes, etc at the check in desk and will give you one if you ask.

You may call me cheap, but I say thrifty!

]]> By: Mike http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152665 Mike Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:49:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152665 For those who like to re-fill bottles, here is a great solution I have been using Pitotubes: http://www.pitotubes.com They are more expensive than trail sizes, but they last forever and are sturdy. I used them 200,000 miles in 2007 and not one leak! For those who like to re-fill bottles, here is a great solution I have been using Pitotubes:

http://www.pitotubes.com

They are more expensive than trail sizes, but they last forever and are sturdy. I used them 200,000 miles in 2007 and not one leak!

]]> By: JT http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152507 JT Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:05:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152507 Contact lens solution is an exception, I always take more than 4 oz in a carry on and never get hassled for it. I agree with the previous poster on packing tips. Take neutral colors and items that all coordinate with each other...plus some easy to pack accessories like scarves. Than you can change your outfit every day and still look like you are wearing something different. I never check-in baggage; I have gotten very good at packing a versatile but minimal amount into a 22 inch rollaboard carryon, plus my laptop case as my second carry-on. Contact lens solution is an exception, I always take more than 4 oz in a carry on and never get hassled for it.

I agree with the previous poster on packing tips. Take neutral colors and items that all coordinate with each other…plus some easy to pack accessories like scarves. Than you can change your outfit every day and still look like you are wearing something different. I never check-in baggage; I have gotten very good at packing a versatile but minimal amount into a 22 inch rollaboard carryon, plus my laptop case as my second carry-on.

]]> By: KM http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152393 KM Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:04:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152393 I'm not crazy about refilling my water bottle from the water fountain, as studies have shown that water fountains in public buildings tend to be eight times germier than toilets in public buildings. So I bring a full bottle of water, chug it while waiting in the line for the security check, and throw out the bottle as I get to the front. Not as ecologically friendly as your way, but unless I am horrifically delayed or on a very long flight, it's enough water till they come around with the sky carts. I’m not crazy about refilling my water bottle from the water fountain, as studies have shown that water fountains in public buildings tend to be eight times germier than toilets in public buildings. So I bring a full bottle of water, chug it while waiting in the line for the security check, and throw out the bottle as I get to the front. Not as ecologically friendly as your way, but unless I am horrifically delayed or on a very long flight, it’s enough water till they come around with the sky carts.

]]> By: Dariaclone http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/comment-page-1/#comment-152331 Dariaclone Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:45:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/10/airport-frugality-in-the-era-of-new-security-regulations/#comment-152331 Technically, contact solution falls into the medical exception, but it seems like a hassle to risk arguing with TSA. I just always take the 4 oz. bottles with no problem. I don't know that I would risk trying to refill them though. My eyes are important to me and I don't want to risk infection. Technically, contact solution falls into the medical exception, but it seems like a hassle to risk arguing with TSA. I just always take the 4 oz. bottles with no problem. I don’t know that I would risk trying to refill them though. My eyes are important to me and I don’t want to risk infection.

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