Alaska packing strategy
Most of my flights lately have been on Spirit Airlines, where you pay for baggage a la carte and they have lower weight limits. So I try to pack as efficiently and lightly as possible.
But we’re flying Alaska Airlines to Alaska and we get a carry-on and a personal item, and it’s only $25 for a checked bag and it can weight 50 pounds. PACK ALL THE THINGS!!!
I seriously think my carry-on might just be full of junk food. You know, in case they don’t have it there? Ha!
Yeah, I went a bit overboard. But that’s all to share with several people, I swear!
And I am leaving whatever is leftover at the end of the trip behind, and filling that carry-on up with Starbucks You Are Here mugs.
Hopefully Steven has room in his carry-on for my outfit for the wedding!!!
Hee hee, I am just joking around (well, I am packing a lot of that food, but really, it is to share). It’s just nice to not have to worry as much about baggage as normal, because we have a lot to bring – clothes for the wedding, hiking, gold panning, chilling, exercising; Steven’s camera and other electronics; entertainment stuff for the flight; all the associated running gear; and so on. I wonder what I’ll forget?!
Themocracy
…Why are there no peanut butter cups in this packing plan?!? I really like Alaska Airlines; I flew it to Seattle once, and it was really an easy, pleasant experience.
Ha ha ha! I found a whole bag of them I didn’t know I had! YAY! I could bring some. They likely won’t melt.
I’ve heard good reviews of them! I am excited to fly a non-budget airline.
I love Alaska Airlines! They’re the only airline that flies from my area into my parents’ town (there are only flights between there and three cities, Alaska does two of them and Delta does the other), so I’ve stayed pretty loyal to build up mileage and always go with them if I can. Only once have I had any real problems (a significant delay), and they gave a nice voucher in compensation.
On flights within the PNW, the planes are smaller so the biggest carryon roller bags don’t fit overhead – so they have “carry out” luggage (you put it on a cart when you’re walking out to the plane, it goes in the back with the checked baggage, but you get it back before re-entering the airport after your flight), which I love! It’s the best of both worlds – you get to keep everything with you while you’re waiting and don’t have to wait for it so long after, but also don’t have to deal with it on the plane.
Schweet! It’s great to hear another good review of them! I am excited to have more space and a more comfortable chair (than Spirit), ha!
Ahh, ok! That is nice and a good heads up! Mine is regular size so it def won’t fit!
It depends on the route, flights to Alaska might be bigger planes and have normal overhead space, but I think they’re always still a good airline!
Im sure they’ll have most of your goodies its till America after all lol. I hope you have a great time and take lots of pictures please!!!
Oh yeah – I’m sure they will. I was just kidding, LOL!
Thanks! I will take a lot of pics!
I think I am an efficient packer but when you have a child, things really add up. Especially when you go a place with swimming and hiking! We are going on vacation soon and i hope it all fits in the car. We prolly wont fly until she is older and has less baggage.
Oh man, I cannot even imagine!!! I hope you can fit it all in the car too!
I am excited reading all of your Alaska prep posts—one of my most favorite trips ever and I have been itching to go back. Can’t wait to see your pics/recaps!
If there is seriously space for an extra Alaska YAH mug, I would more than happily pay a premium for one and PayPal you the $$ in advance!
What area were you in when you visited? I have a feeling I am going to want to go back and see more!
I will definitely pick one up for you! We can figure out the $$ later.
You ROCK—THANK YOU!!!
We flew into Anchorage and spent a couple of days there before going on a cruise–we did southbound itinerary (Whittier, College Fjords, Glacier Bay, Skagway—we disembarked there and rented a car and drove up to the Yukon territory also), Ketchikan, Juneau, and ended in Vancouver. It was really cool to see the way the geography changed as we cruised further south because you were never really “out at sea” and could always see the coastline (and thus, the wildlife). There was a naturalist on board who gave tons of talks and also helped passengers spot interesting animals/occurrences on both shore and land.
You’re welcome! Does your aunt collect the state, or city ones (if I have an option)?
Holy cow, that sounds AMAZING!!!! Gosh, this makes me realize I didn’t get a book or anything about the areas we are going to be in! I will have to do some research about what I am seeing (during and after)!
When there is a city available that’s usually what we’ll get for her, but in the case of Alaska I think it’s a state mug only (which makes sense and is very cool in and of itself)
Are you guys going to primarily be in Anchorage or are you going up to Denali? (Apologize if I’ve missed that detail!)
Yeah, it is just the state one here 🙂
Mostly Anchorage. We aren’t staying here long enough to do more, and were in the area for the wedding for quite a few days 🙂
OOoohh so exciting!!! Half the fun of a trip is the planning and packing and anticipating!
That does sound like a complicated trip packing-wise (hiking + wedding gear). But HOW exciting! I can’t wait to hear/read about the trip!
Okay, packing snacks for Alaska is probably a good idea, because I am thinking things will be pricier there!
I have an ultra light suitcase and I fill it lol I always over pack. I do try to save 8 – 10 pounds, in case I find things I like while away. Last time I left FL I was 49.8 LOL
We’re taking our first trip with the new baby when she’s just 2 months old… across the country to Cali, for a wedding!! I can’t wait to see how much baggage we need to haul across for that, but i definitely got us tickets on a NON-budget carrier as a result 🙂 I can’t wait to hear about Alaska!!
I like that you packed PopTarts.
And I was happy I did! 🙂