When preparing to travel, pack wisely. Know what to pack and what to leave at home. Here are some thoughts on packing from the American Automobile Association when traveling by car or plane:

Traveling by Car
Dangerously overloaded vehicles are not necessarily tractor-trailer trucks on the freeway but, many times, are the cars of average American families packed to go on vacation. Overloading a vehicle causes wheel bearings to fall, axle shafts to break and wheels to fall off, which leads to traffic wrecks. Excess weight in the rear of a car makes braking or steering difficult in an emergency. In short, trying to pack too much into your car causes vehicle damage, leads to traffic injuries and wastes gas. How do you know when your car is overloaded? The easiest way is to look at your fully loaded car from behind. If the rear of the car is noticeably lower than it was before loading, you have over packed. Vehicles loaded within manufacturer recommendations remain level. When packing your car, don’t try to fill all the empty space. Additional space in the trunk or on the roof rack doesn’t necessarily mean the car can safely carry more weight.

Traveling by Plane
Many air travelers discover the rules on carry-on luggage only after they have packed and are at the airport, when it’s too late to make changes. Airlines have different rules about what bags will be accepted, depending on the airline carrier and the particular type of aircraft that the airline is using on your flight. Always check with the individual airline about its specific bag rules before you head for the airport. Put baggage tags inside and outside the bags, and check the baggage routing. Make sure the agent or skycap attaches the correct checks for your destination city. If you don’t recognize the city code, question the employee, particularly if you have connecting flights. Remove heavy objects like large metal buckles or jewelry that will activate the metal-detector alarm at the airport security checkpoints and place them in your carry-on bag. Pack smart. Leave unnecessary items at home, especially unneeded expensive items. Traveling should be fun, not a weighty ordeal. (ARA)