Packing: Size does matter (title credited to Val)

I was watching a TV show the other day (show already forgotten) where a procrastinating character claimed that packing was 90% mental so even though he hadn't started, he was practically done.  Of course, since I hadn't started packing but had put a lot of 'thought/worry/panic' into it, this sounded completely reasonable to me. 

I had stuff just for the school, enough to cover my spare bed. 

All of the Sam's school supplies

Plus my personal things which are never much until I start putting them into a pile and then I remember, oh yea, I take too many electronics and books.  I checked my baggage allowance.  My international flight allows two checked bags of 50 pounds each.   One carry on of 22 pounds and a 'personal bag' of 22 pounds. 

As it turns out, the weight is not going to be an issue.  But the dimensions will be. 

The hockey bag, with cat for scale (and because one
cannot bring a bag into the house without formal
inspection so getting a picture without her
was pretty much out of the question.)

Knowing I had some much stuff, I bought a hockey bag off of Used Victoria.  It was perfect.  It was huge, wheeled and had Team Canada written all over it.  Since I plan to abandon it in Africa, this will be a nice 'gift' from Canada for the school or whomever wants it. But, alas, the dimensions.

But first things first.  I invited my friend Val (of the Ecuador trip) to a movie to lure her to my house to trick her into helping me pack.  Then I cancelled the movie but too late for her to back out.  haha!  First task:  measure everything. 

Checked bag maximum linear dimensions are 62 inches.  We measured the bag.  At first I got 11,000+ inches.  But even for a big bag that seemed way too big.  I was measuring cubic dimensions.  I will remember this the next time a student asks me why he has to take Math as part of his program.  Back to the measuring tape.  Oh oh.  91 linear inches.  I could still do it.  Length + Width worked as long as I didn't fill it more than 9 inches high.  Since Air Canada is in crack down mode for luggage and the first leg of my flight (Vic -> Van) is Air Canada, I suspected they may give me the works. Oversize bags cost an additional $100.  Plus, the stuff would have way too much room for uncontrolled shifting.  Not good. 

Second task:  come up with a Baggage Plan B.  Off to Value Village.  Side note, do not ever, under any circumstance, go to Value Village mid-day, the Saturday before Halloween.  Just don't. But we did.  There we were in the back corner, way to close to the 'costume' section, pulling out every suitcase that might meet out size/volume needs.  We had a herd of 7 or 8 wheelie bags blocking the aisle.  I whipped out my little pink measuring tape and we checked the linear dimensions of each bag.

Measuring!  Action shot.

The best one was way too big.  Another one was 63 inches.  Since I have no faith in Air Canada, I could imagine them not accepting that extra inch.  The rest were in the 'zone'.  Then we checked zippers and pockets.  But my biggest concern were the wheels.  I was about to load up to 50 lbs in the one bag and then attach another 50lb bag to the top of it.  So those little wheels may be carrying up to 100 lbs. They had to be sturdy.  Four Wheel Drive sturdy.  And the handle had to be solid enough for that second bag too.



Plan B.  Smaller bag (with cat).

Wheels that mean business

There was an American Tourister, with skookum wheels that was a bit smaller (56 inches) but it was solid and didn't weigh too much.  We had a winner. The extra 'unused' inches would give me some leeway for cramming and stretching. (I just reread this and it seems a bit suggestive.  Instead of cleaning it up, I will leave it in to amuse the SofB lunch room crowd).

Val, who is an expert packer, had almost everything into the new bag while I stepped out of the room to refresh our coffees.  But, I couldn't lift it and it was clearly over the 50 lb limit. 

Plus, she was not pleased with my choice of a second bag, the big black duffel.  It was within the 62 inch limit but it is a long tube shape with zero support.  So, once packed, it was going to be very difficult to attach to the wheeled bag.  New plan for Bag 2. 

I have a crappy old duffel that I use for weekend trips.  It is a good size for that, but I would not have thought it would be big enough for this endeavor.  Fear not, says SuperPacker Val.



Super Packer Val, making it work.

We also came up with the idea to only half fill the wheely bag with the heavy school supplies and then save the top half for a separate bag filled with my clothes.  Since I don't need much, this should be small and not too heavy.  And should keep the bag under 50 lbs and manageable.

So, now I just have to figure out what clothes I am taking.  Pack up my backpack as my carry on.  My backpack is the right dimensions so as long as all of the electronics fit in, it will be heavy but ok.  Plus my personal bag will be my day pack with food, book, money, passport.


Wheely bag, bottom half full of heavy stuff, top half
ready for my clothes.



  

Smaller, very stuffed duffel (35 lbs) with cat (7 lbs). 
This bag fits right on top of the bigger, wheely bag