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1. Check your bags with a skycap outside the terminal and go directly to your gate for your boarding pass. It will save you time and aggravation. (Please tip the skycap. They depend on tips to pay their bills). What is a skycap? .. I have no idea, please let me know .. Thanks!

2. Do not put medication in your checked bags. Always carry enough with you to last 48 hours in case your bags are misplaced. Ain't it the truth!

3. The airline is not your mother. Please don't expect us to keep track of your tickets, your CD player, your reading glasses, or anything else. It would be nice if the air-host(ess) didn't take my stuff and pack it away up the other end of the aircraft, because someone else used my overhead box before I arrived!

4. If you have small children, bring a fold-up stroller, nothing big or bulky.Great! .. So that's who used my overhead box. Personally I think people with small children should be kept in a special area to themselves.

5. Put your name and address inside your bag as well as outside. All airline carriers have name tags available free of charge. Riiiight .. They're going to open up my valuable bag and then return it to me? Oh well, I live in hope.

6. If you have ordered a special meal, please verify by 'phone the night before you leave. Who should I call then? Any time I have tried to call I get the old "Press numbers up to 20 to be driven crazy and returned to the dial code!

7. Occasionally, a schedule change will cause seats to be dropped and you will discover that you are not seated with your spouse or children. This is not intentional. Let us know and give us the opportunity to rectify the problem. Also, due to international time changes, your flight can be taking off four hours or more before you arrive at the airport. Call your travel agent the day before you are scheduled to travel and again before you leave for the airport.

8. Please don't scream or swear at us. Please remember that we are not punching bags. The police are only a 'phone call away and we will call them if you become abusive. Travel organizers should be very aware that hypoglycemic and diabetic people cannot delay their meals. The violent variations in blood sugar levels cause extreme physical and mental distress.

ADVICE ON PACKING

Choose a suitable suitcase

You don't need to go with expensive-looking luggage. It may be a temptation to others.

Use a soft-sided roll-aboard suitcase, or a duffel bag plus a garment bag for crushables.

Look for a bag made of a heavy-duty nylon such as ballistic nylon.

(For myself I have chosen a large solid plastic case in a really shocking colour. It has strong wheels in the narrow end - to be easier getting through crowds. I bind it with a strong nylon band, also in horrible colours).

Provide minimal information on baggage identification tags (name or name and business address only); put a full ID tag inside your suitcase.

Carry-On Checklist

It is always a good idea to take along valuables and anything else you'll need for the first twenty-four hours, such as travel documents, traveller's cheques, passport, all medications, contact lens kit, eyeglasses, camera, cellular phone, computer and keys.

For overnight flights, pack earplugs, eye mask, neck pillow, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, sweater or wrap and a washcloth.

List all the clothes you think you need, then cut your list by at least one-quarter.

Plan your Escape

Pick a colour theme. Black or denim blue are versatile basics.

Choose only clothes that you can easily mix and match and which have layering potential.

Five coordinated pieces (jacket, skirt, pants, dressy blouse and casual shirt or sweater) will fit into a carry-on and see you through at least a three-day business trip.

For long flights, think comfort. Try leggings (which are wash-and-wear, wrinkle-proof space-savers) and a tunic-length top.

Stick to fabrics that won't wrinkle, such as knits, synthetics, blends and most wools and silks.

For vacation travel, consider carrying a fanny pack or knapsack instead of a purse. Use a waist-safe for your most important documents etc.

When Packing:

Pack heavy items on the bottom and delicate ones on the top.

Fold shirts and blouses below the waist to avoid visible creases.

Stuff your socks and pantyhose inside shoes.

Line edges of bag with shoes, lingerie and accessories.

Make sure containers holding lotions or medications are tightly closed and packed in Ziploc bags.

This advice from another source:-

Map out the days you will be travelling in a column. Then mark the items you are going to wear in the day and evening and list any extras and equipment you need to take along.

This list can be laminated to keep in the suitcase for the next trip. It could be reduced to wallet-size to carry in a purse, for referral if luggage goes astray.

Rolling skirts, trousers and sweaters can help to prevent wrinkling and may save room. When double-rolling garments to save room, always place the heaviest items at the bottom. For example, for a heavy wool sweater, spread the arms across the bed, then lay a lighter-weight wool sweater directly on top. Fold both sets of arms and sides inward, then roll the garments from the bottom toward the neck.

Items such as beaded evening gowns or cocktail dresses, which will not wrinkle due to the heavy weight and structure of the garment, may be rolled and encased in Ziploc-style bags instead of being hung.

The type and amount of clothing carried on a trip can also simplify packing:

Stick with the basics. Pack a shell, pants, skirt and jacket in a basic colour like navy and build from that, maybe by adding a pair of camel slacks.

It is advised that women carry the following items when packing:-

Jacket, matching skirt and trousers, turtleneck, skinny pant, shoes, sweater, twin set, blouse, dress, casual and athletic shoes.

Shop at companies such as TravelSmith, an outfitting guide and catalogue which promotes waterproof, wringle-resistant blends of natural and high-tech fibers.

... AND IF YOU REALLY HATE TO PACK:- Here's a deal for anyone who wants to go south but hates to pack:

If you're interested in visiting the adults-only Allegro Jack Tar Village in the Dominican Republic, you can pick up all you need down there.

For a surcharge of $385 USA (October 1998) per person, you choose your essentials at the hotel's boutique when you arrive. The package includes everything from shorts, T-shirts, swim suits (you get two), sandals, underwear and subglasses to sunscreen, hair brush, toothpaste and deodorant - plus a duffel bag to bring all the stuff back home.

.. THE WAY I DO IT

Over the past twenty years I have compiled several lists - depending on where I'm going, time of year and method of transport. If I find I'm short of a much needed item I revise the list as I go along. .. This makes it easier - but I still hate packing!

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