what a palaver

I have never been the best at packing a suitcase for travel, I always tend to over pack and coupled with my inability to maximise the bag's space, I often find myself sitting on the bag and trying to get the zipper closed before I depart for home.

But with the new travel rules packing has now become an even more arduous task.
http://www.baa.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/NewSecurityRulesV1_220906.pdf

The link contains the rules of the day but I suggest checking www.baa.co.uk before you begin packing to find out what's allowed. As for the best way to get the job done within the rules of the game, www.ehow.com has the following bit of advice, although, I suggest on route home that you just chuck it all in as best you can, sit on the suitcase and 'puulll' that zipper closed, then simply check the darn bag in, with that, 'please don't ask me to open this thing' look on your face.

Packing a suitcase is a strategic exercise in maximizing space and minimizing wrinkles. You might already have a favourite packing system, but read on for more suggestions .

1. Pack Clothes: Steps

• Remember this order of operations: shirts on the bottom, then dresses (if applicable), then pants.
• Stack tops, unfolded, by placing wrinkle-prone tops toward the bottom of a pile and less easily wrinkled ones toward the top.
• Fold the sleeves in toward the shirts' torsos.
• Fold the shirts in half from the bottom. You now have a rectangular bundle of shirts; place it in your suitcase.
• Drape long dresses in the suitcase so that the ends hang over the sides.
• Place pants and skirts on a flat surface; fold each in half lengthwise.
• Stack pants and skirts on top of one another, with easily wrinkled ones on the bottom and sturdier ones, such as jeans, on top. Fold the stack over, so that its length is halved.
• Place your stack of pants and skirts on top of the dresses, then fold the ends of the dresses over the pants and skirts.

2. Pack Accessories: Steps

• Roll ties loosely.
• Stuff socks in shoes. Pack underwear in mesh laundry bags or side pockets to save space.
  Arrange each pair of shoes so that the heel of one aligns with the toe of the other.
• Wrap pairs of shoes in separate plastic bags, and place them along the border of your suitcase.
• Protect clothes from leaks by placing toiletries in a plastic bag.
• Pack essential toiletries in a carry-on bag.
• Include your toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup, medication and other important items.

3. Overall Tips & Warnings

• Avoid packing money, jewellery, travel documents, medication, keys and other valuables in your suitcase. Carry these items with you. (Pah! Check the new rules before you do that, it may or may not be allowed).

http://www.ehow.com/how_3403_pack-suitcase.html