Those who have travelled recently are well aware of the arcane restrictions that are imposed — the most annoying of which is the restriction on liquids to clear containers of 3oz or less, all fitting into a single quart-sized zip-top back. Larger containers are allowed in your checked luggage, but we all know how reliable checked luggage is: you’re lucky if it arrives by the end of your trip. Some folks (like me) are still 100% carry-on folks, moving to dental power, solid deodorants, and the “buy it there” philosophy.
The New York Times has an interesting article on how this has served as an opportunity for some. Luggage and cosmetics companies are bringing out products inspired by the carry-on rules, from see-through toiletry kits to “dental finger mitts” — pre-moistened towelettes that you slip over a finger and wipe your teeth with. Travelon has instant tooth gel, mouthwash and shaving gel in the form of tablets that, like Alka-Seltzer tablets, transform when water is added. I’m sure these are useful, especially when you travel with the dehydrated water. La Fresh Group in Ontario, Calif. has developed a line of travel wipes dubbed Travel Lite on the Go that consists of everything from nail polish remover pads to dental finger mitts.
Of course, you only need these products if you carry on… and in a turnaround, airlines are encouraging you to carry on again. Continental has been posting a notice on its Web site that states, “Our Overhead Bins Are Lonely” and tries to persuade travelers that bringing bags onboard helps “avoid lines at the check-in counter and waiting at baggage claim.” I’ve always avoided checking luggage — I hate the lines at either end. It will be interesting if I can get my family to avoid checking luggage this summer when we go to Nashville TN.
