A hassle-free trip

CEBU, Philippines - Every once in a while the average person needs to take a trip somewhere, for whatever reason. Often, various troubles hound this infrequent traveler. Either he saddles himself too much with unnecessary baggage or he fails to bring certain essentials.

Especially at the airport, snags are a common experience. The traveler may bring items not allowed into the aircraft. Airport security procedures can sometimes be a little too stringent.

It is much easier to let go of a can of hairspray at the airport than to fail to bring a mobile phone for communicating with people in one's destination. This is no small matter when the traveler needs directions to get around an unfamiliar place. But deciding just what to bring and what to leave behind - while it seems mere common sense - is not always easy.

When it comes to packing, according to IndependentTraveler.com, a small mistake like putting a prohibited item in your carry-on bag can snowball into a messy chain of events. Fortunately, travelers can do certain things to avoid such airport problems. Whether cited for a prohibited item at the security line, or a surplus of souvenirs, a nasty spill or a broken bag, a bit of packing emergency know-how can mean the difference between a disaster and a worry-free getaway.

IndependentTraveler.com points out possible airport troubles:

Airport security confiscates the traveler's prized possession. If you plan correctly and make sure everything you're packing in your carry-on bag is permitted on an airplane, you shouldn't have any problem getting your luggage through the airport security checkpoint. But if you're a procrastinator who carelessly throws a bag together as you're about to leave for the airport, you may have some trouble getting through security. So when an officer finds your four-ounce bottle of designer perfume and permanently removes it from your carry-on bag, have you lost it completely?

Not necessarily - or not only that. If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you can be criminally or civilly prosecuted. Keep this in mind before you start to argue with the guard who is taking away your jumbo-sized tube of toothpaste. It's not worth it. If you try to bring anything through airport security that is not allowed on a plane, or anything that the security officer deems dangerous, airport security has the right to take your property and dispose of it. If the security officer has confiscated something that has value to you, politely ask him or her if you can take the item away from the checkpoint. If you're lucky and the officer says yes, here are your options:

If you're certain you have plenty of time before your flight takes off, you can go back to your airline's check-in counter and either check in your carry-on bag or ask to have the prohibited item placed in your checked in luggage. Keep in mind that you will have to wait in line at the check-in counter and at the security checkpoint all over again, so you may need an extra hour or two before your flight is scheduled to depart. There is no guarantee that the airline staff will be able to help you out, so don't return to the check-in counter unless you have time to spare; otherwise, you may risk missing your flight for nothing.

If you discover a potentially prohibited item on your way to the airport, take the item out and leave it in the car, if you're driving, or entrust it with someone you know. Again, be very aware of how much time you have, especially if you've parked in a lot that is a lengthy walk or have to take a short detour. You may not have to trouble at the security line but may miss your flight too.

There's just too many souvenirs packed. You could always just pack less and leave room in the bag for some extra souvenirs. But who really wants to do that? After all, in the current context of expensive baggage fees, empty space in your suitcase is valuable real estate. And if you only brought a carry-on bag, some items you might purchase, like transparent liquid-filled fever cap or extra videocam batteries, may be prohibited past the airport security checkpoint. With only a carry-on in which to cart a week's worth of clothes, how do you get those bottles of local delicacies back home?

A good option is to pack a squashy, foldable bag that takes up little room in your suitcase. A soft duffel or zippered tote bag will work. If you end up with a mass of bulky souvenirs, you can unfold the extra bag and check it in at the airport. Even if you may end up paying for an extra piece of luggage, this is a wiser thing to do than having to leave your precious finds behind.

In the end, the best way yet to prevent problems at the airport and on the trip itself is to pack smart. It helps a lot to list beforehand all the items that are truly necessary on the trip. Many people easily travel with only ten pieces for round-the-world trips or two-week vacations. Shorter, local trips may call for much less.

It's good to figure out in advance about laundry. Depending on the length of the intended trip, there's a good chance that laundry will be needed. By doing laundry during the trip, there's no need to pack too many clothes.

If laundry is to be done, it helps to plan out the wardrobe to bring, as well. One-color pieces - solids, neutrals, limited patterns in same color theme are preferable, on durable quick-dry synthetics and fast drying light fabrics. Better if the pieces can mix and match and there's something to fit the various activities planned for the trip.

Is the hotel laundry service to be availed of - or is it going to be hand-washing by the traveler herself? If the latter, then a universal rubber sink plug may be necessary, and a retractable clothesline too.

Other possible necessities include flashlight, sleep mask, neck pillow, bug spray, ear plugs, sunscreen, maintenance medication - and cash, of course!