Travel bag vs. backpack for traveling

I stopped traveling with my purse/bag years ago. I only travel with a backpack now. I usually check my big suitcase and have my backpack as my only carry on. I find it easier to be hands-free while traveling and carrying a purse/bag around only begs for me to sit it down somewhere and forget it.


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That's a good idea, I am so used to a purse, I would probably keep thinking I've lost it, of course could stick it in a the backpack... I have a cross body purse that will hold a few things, then the rest in my carry on... Will a backpack fit under the seat of the plane?

That's a good idea, I am so used to a purse, I would probably keep thinking I've lost it, of course could stick it in a the backpack... I have a cross body purse that will hold a few things, then the rest in my carry on... Will a backpack fit under the seat of the plane?

Most will, unless it's one of the big ones packed to the brim. The underseat dimensions should be on your airline's website

I usually keep my little purse out while in the airport for storing passport and boarding pass, and so I can stop for a water bottle to bring on the plane. The stuff it in the underseat bag when boarding so I don't get hassled for too many bags.

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My backpack barely fits under the seat on a United flight when I have an aisle seat. It fits perfectly under the other seats and on Delta flights.

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My backpack barely fits under the seat on a United flight when I have an aisle seat. It fits perfectly under the other seats and on Delta flights.

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Question. If I take a kinda bigger travel bag... can I put my cross body purse inside, so if need to get up on the plane I can keep my papers in it and carry with me


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Question. If I take a kinda bigger travel bag... can I put my cross body purse inside, so if need to get up on the plane I can keep my papers in it and carry with me


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Yes absolutely.  I only use a crossbody purse anyway. Sometimes it's easier to put my purse in my backpack.

When I moved here, I had all of my visa paperwork and medical documents in my backpack plus my snacks, kindle, laptop, etc.

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That's a good idea, I am so used to a purse, I would probably keep thinking I've lost it, of course could stick it in a the backpack... I have a cross body purse that will hold a few things, then the rest in my carry on... Will a backpack fit under the seat of the plane?

I’ve got a huge backpack and it’s usually packed pretty tight. I’m able to squish it under the seat. But I generally try to put it in the overhead bin so that I can leave room for my legs and feet to move around... especially on a long flight.


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Someone has said something that now makes me wonder if I've been stupid and lucky over the years... when I get up to go to the toilet during flights, it has never occurred to me to bring my stuff with me.  My last few flights, I've brought a max-size wheeled carry-on which goes in the overhead bin, and my camera bag (similar to this one) as my "personal item" goes under the seat in front of me.  The wheeled bag contains my laptop, camera lens(es) not on my camera, other valuables, changes of clothes for two days, travel-size toiletries, the stupidly expensive bottles of Mountain Dew I stocked up on in the airport shops because I won't have it again for a very long time, etc.  The camera bag has my camera with a versatile lens on, wallet, identity documents, boarding passes, phone, headphones, snacks, hairbrush/comb, lip balm, etc.... all the things I might want to have during the flight, or to access easily when on the ground.  And I generally leave the camera bag (and all its contents) under the seat when I get up to go to the toilet.  You guys take your stuff with you when you leave your seat during the flight?  You wear cross-body purses?

I mean, obviously, I would take everything with me into the toilets in the airport.  But it never occurred to me that anybody would try to mess with my stuff while we were in the plane.

Someone has said something that now makes me wonder if I've been stupid and lucky over the years... when I get up to go to the toilet during flights, it has never occurred to me to bring my stuff with me.  My last few flights, I've brought a max-size wheeled carry-on which goes in the overhead bin, and my camera bag (similar to this one) as my "personal item" goes under the seat in front of me.  The wheeled bag contains my laptop, camera lens(es) not on my camera, other valuables, changes of clothes for two days, travel-size toiletries, the stupidly expensive bottles of Mountain Dew I stocked up on in the airport shops because I won't have it again for a very long time, etc.  The camera bag has my camera with a versatile lens on, wallet, identity documents, boarding passes, phone, headphones, snacks, hairbrush/comb, lip balm, etc.... all the things I might want to have during the flight, or to access easily when on the ground.  And I generally leave the camera bag (and all its contents) under the seat when I get up to go to the toilet.  You guys take your stuff with you when you leave your seat during the flight?  You wear cross-body purses?

I mean, obviously, I would take everything with me into the toilets in the airport.  But it never occurred to me that anybody would try to mess with my stuff while we were in the plane.

I understand, I guess I am too trusting.. I never thought about having to take anything with me to the toilet on a plane ... better safe than sorry being alone anyway


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Oh goodness no! A purse full of money, cards, jewellery etc. I would never let that out of my sight!

When travelling alone I leave "stuff" zipped in the bag under the seat, but bring my little purse with money, cards, ID and essentials. I don't think people would go through it, but better safe than sorry!

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I don't use a purse, per se.  I just had the camera bag with all the stuff in it, and one of the compartments would have my wallet in it.  Hmm.  I think what you guys are telling me is that I've been lucky.

I just take myself to the toilet.  Only exception was when I was carrying classified documents on a business trip and had to sign my life away while they were in my possession.  And I had to sign that they would stay in my control through airport security and always on my person while onboard the plane.

But I also leave my handbag in my shopping trolley and wander into other aisles.  I am far too trusting of people.

I just take myself to the toilet.  Only exception was when I was carrying classified documents on a business trip and had to sign my life away while they were in my possession.  And I had to sign that they would stay in my control through airport security and always on my person while onboard the plane.

But I also leave my handbag in my shopping trolley and wander into other aisles.  I am far too trusting of people.

When I was in grad school, I never left anything out of my sight.  Impoverished students will take some silly stuff out of desperation.  But on a plane? Didn't even hesitate.

But I also leave my handbag in my shopping trolley and wander into other aisles.

KFdancer, please stop doing that. Your purse will be stolen one day, it's just a question of when. 

When I was in grad school, I never left anything out of my sight.  Impoverished students will take some silly stuff out of desperation.  But on a plane? Didn't even hesitate.

I think I am turning into my grandmother     I start to panic when I don't see my purse within 1 foot of me