I will still be checking a (U.S.S. Nimitz-sized) bag. - Amy

At least you aren't trying to put it in the overhead bin.

On Topic, I have found folding to work much better for me. I have done 21 days in suitcase only slightly larger the carry-on -- close enough I might get away with it on an empty flight.

I used to travel a lot for work (most of us at the company did) and packing technique was a common topic. Oddly, it seemed to divide along gender lines...women said they got more in by rolling, men by folding. I have wonder if it has to do with the fabrics. I have noticed that I can lay my jeans flat in the bottom of my suitcase and they almost disappear, if I roll them they seem bulkier - yet my t-shirts can just be cramped any place - folded, rolled, stuffed - no matter.

In fact, on my last tour I found that as long as I had my jeans on the top or bottom, the rest really didn't matter - stuff just got crammed in there - granted it was all wrinkled, but it all fit fine.

I flew from Atlanta to Boston to see my mother for Mother's Day, my overhead bin was jammed when I got to my seat, and I wasn't late boarding at all. I watched in amazement as people got on with huge bags, sometimes two or three per person and then went around distributing their luggage among several bins. There is a clearly marked sign 'check your carry-on size here' box which my bag always fits into with room to spare. How do they get through security? When you land they jam up the aisles again by going up and down the aisle to get their various bags.

I have a bag that I check that can get me through for a week. And that is not over stuffed. If I stuff it I will have enough to go about 12 days until I have to do laundry.

I will still be checking a (U.S.S. Nimitz-sized) bag. - Amy

At least you aren't trying to put it in the overhead bin.

That would be rude, and I try really hard not to be rude. I'm always amazed by those people you see bringing on what's obviously way more than their fair share of overhead compartment-eating baggage. (In other words, I'm with you, crella.)

Before I retired, I took enough for two week visits to Mexico in my carry-on Bean Bag. I have not flown since I retired, and we fill the Sienna with everything you can imagine. We view trips to the States as shopping trips.

"I watched in amazement as people got on with huge bags, sometimes two or three per person and then went around distributing their luggage among several bins."

And you are looking at American voters. What they are doing is right. What you are doing is wrong. It's not their fault, it's someone else's.

When the airline wants to charge them for that, then the airline is crummy. If the Governor can't pay for schools and that fast train from LA to SF, the Governor is crummy.

Flight attendant Heather is yummy...

You can also use Zip-Loc (or like) bags to further reduce the amount of space your clothing takes up. Squeeze the bag just before you finish sealing them and it'll reduce mass. I used to do that when camping (with the added bonus that it kept my clothes dry if my pack fell into a creek).

... and while you're at the NY Times site, check out the great article on babies' innate moral sensitivities:

The Moral Life of Babies
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/magazine/09babies-t.html?ref=magazine

Interestingly, the article claims her bag will hold " three pairs of shorts, three pairs of dress pants, one skirt, three pairs of casual pants or jeans, three nightgowns, three bathing suits, one sarong, three lightweight sweaters, four dresses, 10 casual shirts, six dress shirts, a clutch, toiletries and two pairs of shoes."

Hmm...I notice no underwear. Does she go braless (I don't think Amy or I can comfortably get away with that) and commando, or do the bathing suits do double duty?

Actually, I am surprised the article didn't mention tightly rolling unmentionables and stuffing them into the packed shoes. I do this all the time.

Tonight on the flight home the same thing....mt overhead bin was full. Problem was, this time I was in an exit seat and had no under seat space for my small carry on. I had to put it in a bin in business class and then swim against the tide to go get it as the business class passengers disembarked. Who are these jerks who fill up all the bins before half of us are boarded???