Mobility with Luggage

On a recent trip, I thought more than usual about how I would manage my luggage because I was taking public transportation (bus and train) from the airport rather than traveling by car. I decided to take a duffel that sits securely atop the roll aboard suitcase, a backpack and a laptop bag. The backpack and laptop bag would be the carry one. The other two would be checked (I have started flying Southwest whenever I can to avoid extra charges for check baggage).

The key items of the packing plan were:

• Heavier items and any liquids/gels went into the checked baggage.
• The laptop bag was the only one I needed to open when I went to the airport: boarding pass, ID and money was in the external pocket. And the laptop came out going through security.
• The backpack contained other high value items (camera, cables, purse) and things I would need while in flight (Kindle, water bottle, lunch, light jacket).

So - how did it work?

• I had forgotten that buses have steps at the door! Fortunately the roll aboard and duffel were stable enough that I could bounce them up and down the steps together.
• I didn't realize the DART train in Dallas would have stairs too. Later I learned to look for the 'handicapped' door which would make for smooth rolling onto the trains.

I'm glad I packed the way I did!