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AIBU?

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Original poster

To Wonder if you spread your packing out across all the cases?

85 replies

girlfriend44 · 06/01/2023 17:41

Having been watching Rip Off Britain about holiday problems and also hearing it more and more recently I was wondering this.

Do you worry about your cases getting lost if going abroad?
Nightmare thought being left with no luggage.

Do you spread the packing out and pack something from everyone in each case rather than having your own case?
This would give some reassurance if cases or case got lost.
Will definitely be thinking of this more now.
Some people have been left without luggage for the whole duration of their holiday.
How do you Pack?

OP posts:
BashfulClam · 06/01/2023 18:13

Yep always put things across cases and I keep a change in hand luggage. DH doesn’t pack anything in hand luggage.

My friends case went astray and she was in America a bit stunned saying ‘but I have no clean pants….’

Mentalpiece · 06/01/2023 18:16

I've always split everything between cases.
I put half of my clothes in one case with my husband's clothes and vice versa.
I do the same with the toiletries and suncreams.
I once had a case go missing for several days, but fortunately because of splitting we had what we needed until it turned up.

glamourousindierockandroll · 06/01/2023 18:17

The one year my mum didn't do this we lost our cases. The only bag we got from the conveyor belt was a bag of beach towels and a parasol.

ememem84 · 06/01/2023 19:21

Yep. Recently flown to nz with DH and the two dc. Everything split across all the suitcases.

in our cabin bag we also packed clothes for about 3 days. Just in case. The trick is to use compression packing cubes to get more space.

im not too worried about bags going missing on the way home because it’s summer here currently so things in suitcases aren’t really needed at home.

everythung we will need we will carry with us (passport phone money house keys etc). So.

DrMarciaFieldstone · 06/01/2023 19:22

Yep. Once you’ve lost a case, you’ll always do this.

Yarrawonga · 06/01/2023 19:24

Yes, we do.

ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 06/01/2023 19:49

Always split stuff.
Had too many cases not make it to do otherwise (although it's usually all or none that get through).
Going shopping for pants and a toothbrush on what should be the first day of your holiday isn't fun.

FortyFacedFuckers · 06/01/2023 19:51

Yes I always split everything between all the cases in case 1 goes missing.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/01/2023 19:53

FrenchOrEnglish · 06/01/2023 17:56

Yes absolutely.

I pack in two "rounds" as we have a case per person for big trips. I get the the cases out a week or two before we travel and as I remember and as things are washed/bought/remembered I pack things into a case for each of us.

Then once it's time to properly pack I split everything across all the cases as evenly as I can.

It would still be shit if I case went missing but at least this way then really other than toothbrushes we'd be able to carry on for a few days without being too affected.

Yes, i do something like that - mainly because otherwise DH would happily fill both cases.

On the way back it's clean(ish) clothes in one case, dirty clothes in the other.

CMOTDibbler · 06/01/2023 19:56

I mostly travel by myself, but I always have a basic wash kit and makeup, hairbrush and one outfit (inc shoes) in my hand luggage (and always a spare pair of knickers and socks in a pocket in my work bag) so that I have one respectable outfit to wear and even if I need to go and buy clothes because my suitcase doesn't turn up for a couple of days I don't have to buy shoes which is a pita for me.
My suitcase hasn't turned up a few times, and at big work events there is always a couple of people having to do emergency buys.

Yarrawonga · 07/01/2023 09:37

even if I need to go and buy clothes because my suitcase doesn't turn up for a couple of days I don't have to buy shoes which is a pita for me

My husband lost his case while travelling solo and had nothing but the clothes he stood up in. Unfortunately, he was in a part of the world where men are generally much smaller. Apart from tee shirts, he couldn’t find any clothes to fit him, let alone shoes.

NEmama · 07/01/2023 09:39

Well I always spread my swimwear and bras between the other cases as there would be zero chance of buying them on holiday.

SoupDragon · 07/01/2023 09:39

I do. My kids all provide me with the things they want to take and I distribute it all across the cases so that any one case has the things needed for a holiday.

Duvetdweller · 07/01/2023 09:41

Yes - do it all in packing cubes so it’s easier to redistribute when we arrive

TheBirdintheCave · 07/01/2023 09:46

Duvetdweller · 07/01/2023 09:41

Yes - do it all in packing cubes so it’s easier to redistribute when we arrive

Oh I love packing cubes so much.

As to the original question, we don't do this chiefly because we travel very light. My two year old has his own carry on sized suitcase which fits enough clothes and reusable nappies etc for a weeks holiday whilst my husband and I share a medium case.

Hand luggage is just a small hand bag/back pack for myself and my husband plus my son's changing bag and cabin size buggy.

WeAreTheHeroes · 07/01/2023 09:51

Yes - my mum always used to do this and one year three out of four suitcases didn't make it until day 3 of the holiday, but we all had something to wear. I always pack spare underwear in my hand luggage and if we're going on a beach holiday stick flip flops in there too.

EBearhug · 07/01/2023 09:59

I usually travel alone, so no. But I do make sure I've got toothbrush, hairbrush and clean knickers in hand luggage.

A colleague (PhD scientist, so presumably intelligent) of my mother's was once going to the USA for a few months with work. She was taking two suitcases, and was advised to split her shoes etc between the two cases, in case one went missing.

And so it came to be that she arrived in the States with all her right shoes and no left shoes...

tulippa · 07/01/2023 10:11

Yes, we do this. We also split any cash.

Kabalagala · 07/01/2023 10:16

Yes. Organised into outfits spread through each case. Plus a change of clothes each and all essential toiletries in carry on.

takealettermsjones · 07/01/2023 10:21

Yes, we always make sure each case has at least one change of clothes and a swimsuit for each person. Also include one beach towel and at least one bottle of sun cream in each. Medications, cash, valuables and hats go in the hand luggage - these things are deliberately put in just one hand luggage case, not split between them, in case the airline says they need to check one at the gate.

280NeuerNamen · 07/01/2023 10:22

Know I need to but rarely remember to.

Like a PP once went to a wedding abroad when the suitcase didn’t arrive. Cue one morning of frantic shopping for something for me and DH to wear in a small provincial town a couple of hours before the wedding. Was not fun.

MagentaRocks · 07/01/2023 10:26

Always do this couple of swimwear, shorts, top in hand luggage. Everything else split between cases.

purplecorkheart · 07/01/2023 10:26

Used to and my Mom always did when we travel when we were small. I try to avoid checking in a bag now, particularly going out.

LovelaceBiggWither · 07/01/2023 10:33

Always have meds in the hand luggage. My son's specialist formula gets spread over all the suitcases in the hope we won't lose all the luggage.

Season0fTheWitch · 07/01/2023 10:39

I always bring a change of clothes, makeup and spare nappies in my hand luggage, plus a change of clothes for all the kids in DH's hand luggage. We pack cases normally but always pay for extra so we can bring plenty. Nappies in every case though.

When DH and I went to an abroad wedding I put a spare dress and sandals in my hand luggage just in case- thankfully our luggage arrived but my heels broke and I needed the sandals in the end. Better to be safe than sorry!