Packing Video Now Available
August 14th, 2008The video of Mark packing is now available for premium members here.
Our intent is to add more and more video this year, and this was one of our first “added value” efforts relative to a cast. We think it’s pretty helpful - we’ve already gotten plenty of questions about details of the packing, and we think this will make things even more clear.
There IS a small glitch in the video. Mark thinks that he inadvertently paused rather than recorded for about 30 seconds, when he intended to show the packing of socks and toiletries. (It goes right from undershirts and boxers to folding trousers). You should be able to tell, though, from the pictures in the premium content slides, how those steps go. (Yes, all the toiletries go in!).
Let us know what you think!
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August 14th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Excellent packing video! I wonder if the extra bit of air in the bags acts as a cushion around the clothes to keep them from wrinkling as bad. I must say that I was a bit surprised at the size of your bedroom. I expected something a bit more luxurious and more fitting of your stature. I hope all of your money isn’t going towards your silk slacks!
August 14th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Mark - you are so ex-military! I am ex-military myself and find that I have to get my packing “just-so”. One question though…what about the suit? I am assuming you wear a suit for business? I agree that jeans and a t-shirt are more appropriate for travelling but the suit doesn’t pack or respond too well to being worn for travelling either…..
August 14th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Nice video. Always good to see a fellow travellers system.
I have always carried on my luggage and tried to pack with just the essentials. It takes a little planning - but easier than most folks think.
I know roller bags have, well uh, wheels - but there are advantages to soft bags as well. The ability to collapse/compress the bag further. Fit more clothes for longer trips - and still be able to do the carry on thing.
The Red Oxx Air Boss bag is great for this. (No I don’t work for them - but its a quality product).
Going wheel-less is not for everyone - but thought I’d share.
August 15th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Great video and slides! Nice work, thanks for the extras on this one guys, I appreciate it. Gotta love those socks!
August 15th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Have to admit to being a “one-bagger” a lot of the time as well; I use a Tom Bihn Aeronaut. BUT… that fails when I want to take a suit. It’s good to have different tools and options though. I’ve found that having my business packing down pat makes my personal travel packing less stressful too - and in that instance, all casual gear, it’s definitely all going in one bag!
G.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Folks,
I pack suits all the time in this bag.
I took 4 shirts and 4 pair of trousers for THREE days with a cient. Further, it was pretty obvious that I could have gotten another of each into the bag easily, and yet ANOTHER had I not brought (and worn) TWO pair of jeans (and these are heavy jeans and I’m not small) and what amounts to 3 casual tee shirts.
A suit fits easily. EASILY.
Mark
August 15th, 2008 at 10:02 am
A couple of toehr points:
I learned none of this in the military. I’m sure I’m somewhat unself-aware of those tendencies, but honestly, this is not a technique I got from my time int he military, because this is not the way I traveled in the Army.
The bedroom is small, yes….but I’m never there! What’s important is that the office (on the property) is wonderful. THAT is where I live (for you guys!)
Mark
August 15th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Suits - for what very little it’s worth, I was agreeing with you; a rollaboard is the way to go when you use a suit. I wouldn’t use a soft-sided bag for that.
And you realize you’re likely to get hit-up for pics of the office now, right?
G.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Gary-
Got it!
Regarding the office, I could probably be persuaded to post pictures of my office. I think I may have been born without the “stuff” gene, though - lots of people are surprised by how simple it is. Most of the stuff I have is pretty functional. I have a nice computer and monitors, I have lots of books, a couch, an easy chair, and mostly Pottery Barn furniture. I do have a great Aeron chair, a gift from a client, some great desk lamps, and my inbox is NOT on my desk, happily.
And pictures of my kids make it home.
I’ll put something up sometime soon.
Pictures of my office and bedroom on the web. Sheesh!
Mark
August 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
LOL - sorry Mark! I guess as an ex-infantryman I am used to having to squeeze as much as I can into the smallest space for carrying on my own back. I forgot you were the artillery and probably had a huge vehicle of some kind to cart your stuff for you! Just kidding. Love the podcast…keeps me one step ahead.
August 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Funky-
Oh, yeah, it was a cakewalk in the artillery! LOL!
Luckily Mike and I get some credit…we were in the 25th ID, which was leg infantry, and the lowest Divisional unit on the DAMPL. My first vehicle was a jeep that had been made in 1950. My first job was as a FIST Chief, and I supported ground pounders. I carried my own PRC-77 radio, and humped everywhere, never further than a PRC cord’s distance from my 1-19 Inf Company Commander.
As weird as it sounds, damn good times. And I admit I packed very light.
Mark
PS: Artillery lends dignity to what otherwise would be a vulgar brawl.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Mark-where did you buy those nice trouser hangers?
August 17th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Mark;
Great information as always, makes the premium even more valuable.
When I fly on business trips (by myself, when my wife joins me the whole one-bag thing goes out the window although I now plan to show her your video) I find an additional bonus to flying with only one bag in that sometimes I have to book flights with a lot of time between flights. If I only have one bag I can sometimes walk up to an earlier flight and ask if there are any seats available. When there is no baggage they are very willing to move you onto the earlier flight. I have seen this work less in the past year or so (increased overbooking) but I still get the odd opportunity to hop onto an earlier flight (even asking for an upgrade at times).
I am as always deeply in your debt. Thanks again for the great content.
August 17th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
CalKen-
Yep, I agree…and didn’t we cover that in the cast?
Thanks for the kind words it’s a privilege to serve you.
Mark
August 17th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
MArk;
Maybe you did. I was too busy taking notes that I may have missed it.
As an aside, is there a list of “recommended” bags by members? I have looked at a few over the weekend and would like to see if there are any reader recommendations over various bags. If you already have it up and I have missed it then I apologize in advance.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I wouldn’t have believed it…
I had a 4-day conference (5 days including travel) last week, and I would never have dreamed to pack it all into a rollerbag were it not for your cast. I followed your instructions and had room to spare. With 2 plane-changes each way, I never worried a bit about lost luggage, because it was always with me.
And you’re right, black shoes can be worn with most anything.
When I first heard the title of the cast, I thought you guys were running out of material.
But you’ve proven your helpfulness in the most practical of matters. Thank you.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
RUNNING OUT OF MATERIAL? HA!
I wake up every morning - EVERY morning - and write down five more casts that I know what to say but I don’t have time to write.
We will NEVER run out of topics for casts.
NEVER!
:-)
Mark
August 18th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
CalKen-
Seriously: LANDS END.
No Brainer.
Mark
August 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
For packing http://www.onebag.com/ that site has it all. except a nice video
and you will have to dig in and read. About folds and wrinkles read about bundle wrapping. I use it, works like a charm. (under “How to pack it” -> “Packing Clothes”)
Check out the Business Travel Bags suggestions for a bag. There is to much to list here. Check it for yourself
Jacob
August 21st, 2008 at 7:30 am
Guy’s the problem is not leaving on a trip with one bag, it is coming back with one bag.
The strength of the Euro turns every city in the USA into a shopping mecca.
Fortunately traveling over London often reduces the bag count.
Keep wel and hang onto your hand luggage.
Marc
August 21st, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Marc-
FedEx.
Mark
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Does the suit jacket get folded the same way as the shirts?
that part was great; couldn’t get it from the cast.
Thanks!
September 1st, 2008 at 11:37 am
Hi Mark:
Great cast but I am frustrated because I can’t find the 22 inch landsend bag on the web?
K
September 1st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
K-
Here you go, two different choices in 22″ bags here.
http://www.landsend.com/ix/home-travel-luggage/Home-Travel/Luggage/Carry-on-Luggage/index.html?seq=1~2~3~4&catNumbers=256~304~312&visible=1~2~1~1&store=le&sort=Recommended&pageSize=72&tab=5
Mark
September 1st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hi DH
ON the landsend website, they have a small section on folding and how to fold a suit jacket…. I used it a couple of weeks ago and it worked fine