Pack a Carry-On and Save Money, Time, and Fuel
July 2, 2010 · Filed Under Green
Full disclosure: I am writing this post in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and my flight has been changed three times and delayed over six hours (so far). I am fairly convinced that, if I had checked a suitcase for my original flight when I first arrived at the airport, there would be very little chance of my luggage meeting me back home in New York City. So having all of my belongings with me in a carry-on has been particularly beneficial – otherwise my laptop power cord and cell phone charger (not to mention clothes and souvenirs) might be halfway to Timbuktu by now.
But packing a carry-on has environmental and monetary benefits, too!
Pack a carry-on and:
- Avoid checked luggage fees. As more and more airlines are starting to charge for checked luggage, carry-ons are becoming more and more appealing.
- Save fuel. Because carry-ons are usually much lighter than checked bags (which, if you travel like me, can usually weigh close to 50 pounds) and thus require slightly less fuel to transport.
- Maneuver easier on public transportation. With only my carry-on to worry about, taking the subway or bus home from the airport is a breeze. A fifty-pound suitcase makes the subway stairs much more challenging!
- Skip the baggage carousel when you reach your destination.
