Travel Advice: Carry-On Only

[terpkristin]

I'm going back to London next month for a few days, and I'm going to only be taking my carry-on. This trip is going to be partly business, partly personal.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a good solution to bring my work laptop with me (and it's cabling) without bringing my laptop backpack or other computer bag. I want to do this because for the personal time on the trip, I'd like to carry my day bag with me (http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/200/TB0202), and ideally my carry-on will only be my small suitcase and the day bag.

Last time I went, the flight was overbooked, so while I can stick my work laptop into my small suitcase, I may be forced to check that. Is there a solution that will make my day bag work? Or maybe if someone has a suggestion for a different day bag that would? Something that doesn't look like a laptop bag but I can slide one in if I need to...

Thoughts?

/tk

[Peregrine]

I don't think the day bag link is working - but I'm glad to see it's a Tom Bihn - I'm a huge Tom Bihn fan and have several of their bags myself.

As far as what I do - I usually take as my main carry on the TB Aeronaut (or Tri-Star if it's a short enough trip) and then put my iPad in the CoPilot or Ristretto - if it is a small enough laptop it might fit in one of those bags?

[Lathum]

I always use a backpack and throw my laptop in there. I have no idea how big your day bag is, but can you fit it along with a laptop into a backpack?

[miked]

Never put your laptop into a checked bag...ever.

[Commo_Soldier]

Not knowing the size of the bags I'd suggest going with what you have planned and if you have to check the suitcase, you can always take the laptop and needed cables out at the end of the ramp and carry them on. As for overbooking, I've come to just getting on right when my zone boards and have had good luck not having to check my bag. Good luck and have fun.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I may be forced to check that. Is there a solution that will make my day bag work?

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by miked

Never put your laptop into a checked bag...ever.

Yeah, absolutely, whether it's a personal or business one, I wouldn't.

But it would violate my work's policy to check it anyway. Last time I was in London, there was a fire alarm at the facility we were at. We (the contingent from my company who were there) had to take our laptops with us to the gathering station, a couple blocks away, in the sleet.

Good times.

Thanks for the tips, everybody, and keep 'em coming. Not sure how well the work laptop will fit in the day bag, I'm going to bring it home this week and check it out. Of course, I never thought about just sticking my day bag into my suitcase, empty, and using it when I'm running around London...

(why yes, I am a rocket scientist )

ETA: Link for bag: http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/200/TB0202
Also, I soooo wish I could do this meeting with just an iPad. Alas, our office isn't quite that good yet. I'll still need to get to our work network, remote to various places, etc.

/tk

[Peregrine]

TK, check the Tom Bihn forums - depending on the size of your laptop, you might be able to do something like get a Cache or other laptop holder that is small enough to be put in a carry on bag (though maybe not the Cafe Bag.)

[MacroGuru]

I always check my travel bag and carry my back pack...if you want to do carry on only though I would look at a neoprene sleeve for the laptop and slide it into your day bag..or luggage and if you have to check it you pull the laptop out and slide it into your day bag or under your seat.