Mississippi Yearning

Frederick

Rules vary from airline to airline, but what you noticed was the "bag-plus-one" policy in action: Each passenger is allowed one piece of luggage to cram into the overhead bin or under a seat, plus one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop. In your situation, your computer bag could be considered your luggage and your purse your personal item.

Some but not all airlines also permit you to tote along what they call "special items." Among the ones that Northwest Airlines allows, for example, are coats, umbrellas, strollers and duty-free goodies. That means the super-size Toblerone you bought with your last euros won't count as your one personal item.

As always, check your airline's rules before departing. Details usually can be found on its Web site.

Our soccer group is planning to attend the 2006 World Cup in Germany. We'd like to stay north of Frankfurt, perhaps in the town of Marburg. Do you have any recommendations for outfits that deal in rentals?

Dee Flanagan

Washington

It's always wise to plan ahead, especially for an event of the magnitude of a World Cup, but you may be a little ahead of the game.

As with the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, FIFA, the international soccer federation, will set up a special housing bureau to book rooms throughout the region. FIFA hasn't released any plans yet, but monitor the Web site

www.fifaworldcup.com