Tips for Stowing and Going

Lois Wilcox, Gainesville, Fla.

I always try to coordinate my packing with the people I'm traveling with, either friends, families or colleagues. If I'm planning generally the same itinerary, I try to work with them so that we each carry one travel guide that we might all have or so we share the full-size sunscreen that is sometimes difficult to find in travel size.

Ingrid White, Washington

We go everywhere with a 22-inch roll-on each. The problem with packing them is that the handlebars go through the bottom of the bags, making them difficult to pack without clothes wrinkling.

We solved the problem by cutting a piece of foam core to fit in the bottom. Foam core is essentially a thin piece of plastic foam sandwiched between two pieces of poster board, 1/4 -inch thick. It is sold in craft stores, art stores and sometimes even the drugstore. It is sturdy, featherweight, dirt cheap and takes up no appreciable space.

At the bottom of the carry-on, we pack lumpy stuff like socks and underwear. Then comes the foam core, creating a smooth packing surface. Clothes pack easily and don't wrinkle. A bonus is that you can lift up an end of the foam core to reach the underwear without disturbing the rest of the clothes.

Alice and Jim Kale, Alexandria

Buy pills in packages like you get in your office medicine cabinet (one-dose packets). This lets you bring a variety of medicine while keeping weight to a minimum, and they have the original labels so no one is suspicious. It is also nice so you remember what all the pills are. I put like medicines in small jewelry-size zip-lock bags so they're easy to find.

Becky Benzie, Denver

I save my basic cosmetics with a tiny bit left in them and take them on a trip. I use up the rest of the makeup, then toss the container.

Linda Stewart, Baltimore

I always end up buying several items that require special packing because they are fragile. It's easy to pop into the local department store and buy inexpensive plastic containers to pack them in. While bubble wrap is good, I can always find a roll of toilet paper to cushion these delicate items.

Steven Dwer, Baltimore

For kids under 6, I always carry an extra outfit, including socks, in a gallon zip-lock bag at the bottom of my carry-on backpack. Wet clothes make little children very grumpy travelers. An extra set doesn't take up very much room.

And don't forget to pack a sense of humor. The times when we have had luggage lost, we ended up with some great stories to tell -- plus those very comfy all-cotton white undies and tees from British Airways!

Laura Broach, Washington