I tried, but I’ve given up on travelling with only carry-on luggage

I wrote confidently a few years ago about my desire to be one of those people who travelled with carry-on only.

There were many reasons why it seemed like a good idea.

Firstly, by carrying everything onboard with me like a turtle, the chances of the airline losing my luggage were almost nil.

This was at a time, post-pandemic, when passengers were rightly concerned about the increasing number of misplaced or permanently lost bags, some of it stranded half a planet away, irretrievable, because the delivery systems had broken down.

Carry-on-only also made sense when I arrived at my destination. With no need to wait at the carousel like a zombie watching the same luggage go round and round, I could smugly sail right past it, through customs and out of the terminal.

There was an environmental reason too – the lighter my load, the less carbon I would technically expend on the trip. It was marginal, but if everyone reduced their load, we could make quite a difference to the weight of the plane and hence over time save gazillions of carbon emissions.

I’ve discovered I have a more relaxing flight generally if I take less rather than more on board.

“For a solo traveller like me, there’s no excuse,” I wrote.

As it turns out, I’m not only a terrible failure at travelling with only a carry-on bag, but I’ve changed my mind about doing it. I don’t even try now when I’m embarking on a long journey.

There are some people who are adept at travelling lightly. They tend to be the travellers who limit their luggage – often a backpack – to a few interchangeable items of clothing and a couple of pairs of shoes, which is admirable and sensible. If you can do it.

One of the most compelling reasons for limiting my luggage this way doesn’t involve flying: trains. I know how much easier it is to store luggage in the carriage if you have a small rolling case rather than a full suitcase.

Hefting 20 kilograms up onto the top shelf of the luggage compartment is not fun when you’re solo and not blessed with Chris Hemsworth’s forearms.

I’ve successfully travelled without checking luggage on short trips. It’s not difficult to do when that destination is a warm one, as cottons and silk pack lighter than the thick things needed for the cold.

But there’s one huge downside to the carry on about carry-on.

Some airlines specify a limit of seven kilograms carry-on. Most airlines I’ve flown long-haul, like Qantas, will allow 10 kilograms. You can also get away with a personal item like a handbag or briefcase.

The problem is not how little we can carry on, but how much. I found it easy to cheat that limit. My carry-on case was regulation size, but it usually pushed 10-12 kilograms. It was a heavy lift into the overhead locker.

With so many people trying to cram everything they own into bags they take on the plane, space overhead is at a premium. Getting onboard early enough to claim it before someone else does is like a scene from The Hunger Games.

Despite all the rules, people seem to be toting bigger cases and more shopping bags so they can take everything on board. They’re carrying or wearing most of their travel wardrobe, including thick coats, which further clog the bins.

In terms of lost luggage, airlines seem to have finally got their act together about luggage delivery. And most savvy travellers these days slip air tags or trackers in their cases, or have those trackers built in.

If passengers are on a basic fare and need to avoid a checked baggage charge, that’s one thing. But I’ve discovered I have a more relaxing flight generally if I take less rather than more on board.

I’ve found a smaller roll-on which is a neat cube and barely takes up much space. There’s always a spot for it. It’s also impossible to overload it.

I have a soft overnight bag/handbag which fits under the seat in front of me. I wear my blanket, carry my book and make sure I’ve changed into my flight gear (including compression socks) before I get on, so I cause less disturbance.

People changing in and out of their clothing once they get on board adds to the chaos.

I travel small. I check my case, but it’s usually a modest-sized one. (I’m astounded by the huge trunks people take on holidays with them.)

The best thing about this plan? My arms and shoulders thank me.