Packing tips? 1 week trip

[bugaboo]

We haven't flown since 2004, I think, and I'm trying to remember all the rules.

I know that we should pack the essentials in our carry ons, (meds, etc) since we have lost our luggage before.

What else do you recommend? What should we leave behind?

Oh, and we're going to Aruba for a week.

[monkeygirl18]

I have a standard 7 night tropical climate packing list on our website (little house icon under my siggy name). The list is also downloadable and customizable as long as you have excel or excel like product. HTH

[bugaboo]

Great! Thank you! That is very helpful.

[udscoobychick]

In your carry-on, make sure to bring meds, valuables (eletronics or jewelry), a pen (for filling out customs forms on the plane), clean underwear or even a full outfit, if you have the space (in case your luggage gets lost, at least you'll have clean underwear, if not clean clothes), and entertainment stuff for on the plane (remember that you can't use electronic devices while taking off and landing, so paperbacks or magazines are better than Kindles/Nooks/iPads/whatever during those times). Liquids/gels in your carry-on must be 3 oz or less and in a quart-sized or smaller bag (no bringing things that are 6 oz but only half full or filling a gallon-sized bag 1/4 of the way). Make sure they're easily accessible for when you go through security. If you get cold easily, bring a sweater or jacket in your carry-on, since the planes are often cold. You CAN bring food on the plane with you--just make sure it's not liquid or gel. Bring an empty waterbottle to refill. Remember, you get 1 carry-on and 1 personal item. Airlines are cracking down on people bringing 50 bags on board.

For your checked bags, make sure anything liquid is in a ziplock bag.

Wear shoes that are comfy for walking in and easy to take on and off while in the airport--you don't want to be latching up or undoing 56 buckles on each shoe at security. Laptops go through security in their own bin. You have to take your bag of liquids/gels OUT of your carry-on at security.

If you have a short layover (<50 minutes for domestic, <90 minutes when dealing with customs), it sometimes helps to look up airport maps online before you fly--a lot of airport websites include helpful maps that can help give you an idea of where your gates are and the layout of the airport.