The Anonymous Widower

United Airlines Introduce My Ideal Flying Class

The respected travelwriter, Simon Calder, on BBC Breakfast, alerted me to this story, which is fully reported in this article on USA Today, which is entitled United adds ‘Basic Economy’ fares with carry-on bag restrictions.

My Carry On Bag

When I flew to Las Palmas recently on easyJet, I did pay for baggage to go in the hold, as I thought I’d be taking more and I don’t have a carry-on bag, that is big enough.

Why is it, that all light carry-on bags seem to have wheels, which is just extra weight and wasted space,. to carry around?

All I want is a light square box with a comfortable handle.  My current Mandarina Duck bag is shown in My Packing List.

Since then, I’ve cut down on what I take with me, so I do have a bit more space.

I could therefor easily use a smaller carry-on bag, especially, if I was going to a country I knew well like Germany, Italy,Spain or Poland.

On a more ambitious trip, I could certainly fill a bigger carry-on bag with useful items like lots of M&S Honeycomb Crispies.

But unfortunately, I haven’t found the ideal bag.

• No wheels.
• Small comfortable carry handle.
• No straps.
• Maximum volume to fit carry-on rules.
• Big enough to take a compact SLR and lens.
• Not too many specially-designed feature pockets.
• Secure.

I suspect that some clever American, will be designing the ideal carry-on bag for United’s Basic Economy.

Choosing Seats

I don’t!

This means I usually get an aisle seat, which is ideal for my needs.

• I tend to get a bit stiff sitting for three or four hours, so a walk to the toilet is easy to stretch my legs.
• I inevitably leave something I want in my carry-on bag, so if it’s in the overhead locker,  can get it easily.
• I can get on at the last minute and know I can just sneak into my seat.
• I can usually get off easily.
• I can see what’s on the trolley, without reading the menu.

It will all go pear-shaped one day, when I get the dreadful centre seat of three.

My Coat

The picture shows the inside of my warm M & S winter coat.

My Winter Coat

Note the large internal pocket, which is big enough for a thick tabloid newspaper or a paperback book.

The external pockets, also are big enough for my camera, phone and a real hndkerchief.

A Few Travel Tips

Over the years, I have gradually cut down on what I take.

• Take a battery-powered electric toothbrush. The charger of most others takes up too much space.
• Charge phones, cameras and other devices, through a USB lead and just take a USB charger and adapter.
• Don’t take soap or shampoo, or anything the hotel should have.
• As I don’t use sun-screen, I don’t take that either.
• Take perhaps three still-rolled real handkerchiefs, as they have other users, like stylish tablecloths on trains.
• Take a spare SD card for your camera, already unpacked and ready for use.
• On a long trip, I take older socks, knickers and shirts, discarding them, when they get dirty.
• Take at least two credit cards in separate places, in case you lose your favourite.
• Don’t buy anything in duty-free. It only encourages them! And we have to carry it.
• Take a small shoe horn.
• Take an upmarket compact plastic knife/fork/spoon from IKEA, as you never know, when that delicious snack will need it.
• Never take nightwear.
• Take a torch.
• Take one of Sainsbury’s five pence orange shopping bags.

When I used to travel with C, we used to share a lot of things, like jumpers and tee-shirts, as we were of a similar size.

In fact, the last joke she ever said to me, was that I would have difficulty finding someone, to train to my packing habits.

Comclusion

I can’t wait for a European airline to introduce a Basic Economy class.

November 19, 2016 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Flying, Sainsburys