Carry-on

How do you pack for a trip by air?

Waiting for a train in Cobh, Ireland

I have always tried to pack as small as possible since I hate to wait for the baggage to get from the plane to the carousel.  So, carry-on luggage is the goal.  Not always possible, though, so the big cases have to get pressed into service.

This last time, however, we felt that the message from the airlines is that carry-on luggage is preferred.  And darn little of that.  We would have to pay a surcharge for each checked bag - AND wait at a carousel.  Double dose of annoyance factor.  So, being thrifty people we managed two weeks with carry-on luggage.  Fortunately, we went to a warm place with no heavy clothes required.  Shorts and T-shirts don't take up much space.  My hiking boots, however, took up a LOT of space.

Anyway, this is what I was actually wondering:  if everyone thinks the way we do , there will be a lot of empty space in the baggage hold(?), area (?).  How will the airlines use this space?  Will they solicit commercial cargo to supplement their revenue from each flight?  More frightening important is: what are the consequences of having empty baggage whatevers?  Does it create an imbalance?  How important is that?

 Oh, my faith in flying is being severely tested with these thoughts.  Must put them out of my mind.