When you fly...can you take a carry-on and your purse..or just one of them??? I've always either just carried a book bag or a purse, never both. You can have 2 carry ons though, right?? I probably just answered my own question, lol.

Francie, they tell you one carry-on and one personal item, which they usually define as a purse, backpack, or briefcase. Unless it's a really crowded flight or one of those tiny regional jets, that usually just means two items.

Now that most of the airlines are charging for a second bag, I'm going to have to carry on more than usual. Typically I take a tote bag or backpack with all my purse stuff, books, and laptop. Now I'll have to also carry on a small suitcase or tote bag with my toiletries, makeup, hair dryer etc because I can't get all that plus my clothes and still stay under 50 pounds in one suitcase. We're traveling to New Mexico for nine days in a couple of weeks and this will be a challenge!

I saw some 'expert' on the news the other day suggest to take a small bottle of laundry detergent in your suitcase so you can take less clothes with you and do laundry during your vacation. Can you imagine that bottle of detergent leaking?

Jeez....I used to check an empty suitcase on my vacations that I brought down specifically for souveniers. Well, I did this when I went to Mexico because the peso was so much less than the dollar, I came back with two leather jackets, purses, ALL KINDS of things! I guess I wouldn't be able to do THAT anymore!!

Anything that could even possibly leak, I put into a zip-lock bag. Saved me a lot of tears over the years.

It's not so bad now that the extra suitcase is just $25.

I am, however, having a problem with the 50 pounds. I'm going to be in Alaska all summer and going places with incredible temperature ranges. Packing enough stuff for snow and getting a suntan and my camping gear is slightly obnoxious.

$25 isn't bad, they charge an extra $50 here in Calgary - at least that was what I remembered when my hubby and I brought a neighbor to the airport.

When I pack my suitcase for long times away, I tightly roll my clothes instead of fold them - you can fit MUCH MORE into it. Then when you get to where you're going, hang them or throw them in the dryer to get rid of wrinkles.

Tamara, that's a great tip!!

Omg are you all serious?!? I havent flown in almost a year and the rules changed already?!?! Ugh!! A 50lb limit!?!? That is so unfair!! I might as well buy the shampoo & body wash while I'm in San Diego and just pack my makeup. I'm was afraid of my flight getting cancelled. So I have no idea which airline to fly on. Now I have to worry about the 50lb limit?? Ya, 25 dollars isnt so bad..but come on!! I gotta tell dh all this now...

Some airlines are $25 for a second suitcase but some are $50 -- it all depends on your airline. You can check the web site for yours. And the charge for a bag over 50 pounds is really high, like up to $100. So weigh your suitcase before you go to the airport!

Thats not a bad idea actually. Dh took a small box of Tide with him, so I could probably just do my laundry on the base in SD for free.

That is just a giant buzzkill. I emailed dh and told him what you all said (btw, thanks for the info ladies!!). So we'll see what he says back. More than likely..I can just buy tiny bottles of shampoo & body wash, and a cheap blow dryer there at the NEX. I'd have to take my hair straightner though. I can do laundry at the base too. And if I buy anything, then dh will just put it in his locker on the ship until he gets home...That would save a lot on the extra money, dont you think?? I feel like doing some practice packing right now..and I'm not even going on my trip yet, LOL!!