I agree with all of the posters who are frustrated with the people who cram huge bags into the overheads (how did they get on with them - I am lucky to get on with my "regulation" size) - and then continually get up and open the compartment which results in items falling on the heads of passengers who are sitting under said compartments and who have had to put their bags at the end of the plane because their space has been taken over by an "unauthorized" user. The other problem is that there are various sizes of planes. I have been on a 5 hour flight in a seat that could not accommodate my purse - a regular size purse under the seat in front of me. There isn't a woman in the world who doesn't know what size a regular purse is - despite the women trying to carry on purses the size of a garment bag. And this was on Air Canada - not a discount airline, so I can only imagine what will happen. We were recently in New York and my husband was lucky to get on with his small carry-on and laptop just in its sleeve, whereas others were being zipped through with huge bags. I have found it best to make sure your carry-on weighs less on your home scales. I know what our bags weigh empty - and once packed - and I leave a 2 or 3 lb. window to allow for the airport's scales weighing high - and it happens. In New York I bought a 6 lb. carry-on at Brookstone and could have sold it 3 times over during the walk back to the hotel (without the box). I then found my husband happily putting his laptop in it - get your own! There was another bag - bigger - and of course $40 cheaper. The sales associate told me that it would weigh in at 7 lbs. - I suggested 10 lbs. So out came her scale - 9.9 - so she told me she was right. Well, I had to point out that I was "more right" than she was! She then tried to sell me a scale so that I could prove to security/check-in that my bag was not overweight - as if that is ever going to happen. Clearing customs in Toronto for the U.S. was something else this go round. What I hate - even though I do understand the rationale - is that if my husband and I are travelling together, we could each check 2 bags of the allowable weight - but not one bag that is 2 lbs. over without incurring a charge. A money-maker for the airlines for sure. I also bought him 3 Brooks Brothers no-iron cotton dress shirts that he will use only for travelling. It was like a revolving door at BB - Canadians and Europeans all buying the same 3 shirt deal - in the same white and pale blue shades. I am careful - my plastic bag was held up as an example to all at Heathrow as to how to back a plastic bag - but I still seem to always end up as the random person to be checked.

I flew to CA on American in September. I had a redwork project with tiny embroidery scissors in my carry on. I also had one of those tiny swiss army type knife, you know the ones with the scissors, knife blade, nail file, toothpick all in a less than 2 inch size. The screener spotted it and had my bag pulled for search. As I watched I said I thought the scissors were ok, he said they are, this is something else and proceeded to find the knife and confiscate it. I had carried the thing for years and just never even thought about it. He offered for me to take the knife, go somewhere in the terminal and mail it to myself. I would have missed my plane so I said you keep it. Now the points on the scissors are longer than the blade on the knife....At most I could make a 1 inch deep wound with the thing! I still have the scissors but the knife is gone. Go figure! I guess they have to do what they have to do. Didn't the 9/11 hijackers use a plastic knife? There is no telling what the TSA screeners are gonna pick up on....my advice take a cheap pair of embroidery scissors for your project. Maybe find some at the dollar store. If they take them away, no big loss at least. I would have been plenty upset if I had lost my embroidery scissors. I fly at least 3- 4 times a year and this is the first time that knife has caused a problem. Good luck! Murphy

I personally wouldn't have any objection to wearing a bracelet that contained personal information about me and/or my luggage and my destination and traveling companion(s). I have nothing to hide, and can actually see the benefit of it if something unfortunate should happen. However, I would not wear anything that could in any way "zap" me and cause potential harm to my health or physical state.

if you can, find out the type of plane they fly (then research safety record)...and yes, it does make a difference the day you leave. i was just checking flights domestic and it was about $50 for an "off" day...but darn it, can't remember which day. time of day can be important too...for instance if you red eye to germany and can sleep on board, you havn't lost much. (me i can't catch a wink, lol) what a neat place to visit...my x was staioned there and was always impressed at how clean everything was...he said even the forests looked "raked", lol