5 Things You Should Avoid Packing For Flights

It doesn't matter if you're a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler: Packing your bags can be one of the most stressful parts of taking a trip. But whether you're leaving town for just a weekend or for weeks on end, there is a right and a wrong way to fill your suitcase. And while no one likes to forget something important while they're on the road, experts say there are still a few things you should never pack for a flight. Read on to see what you should leave at home the next time you're traveling.

# Toiletry bottles with hinge-top lids

No one wants to jet off without a supply of their favorite skincare, haircare, and beauty products. And with infamous Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations that limit you to no more than 3.4-ounce containers of liquids in carry-on baggage, there's an excellent chance you'll be stashing your supplies in your packed luggage. But as anyone who has ever arrived at their destination to find an entire week's worth of shampoo drenching their clothes will tell you, it's crucial to make sure you're packing the right kind of containers to hold any liquids or gels.

# Travel pillows

Anyone embarking on a long-haul flight is likely to use the opportunity to get in their forty winks, especially if traveling on an overnight red-eye. But while making an airline seat anywhere near as comfortable as your bed may seem like it would require all the help in the world, you might be better suited by leaving your traditional travel pillow at home and opting for something more useful that you can also use to rest your head on.

# Certain medications

No matter where you may find yourself, it's essential to have your prescribed medications on hand to be taken as needed. This is why travel experts and airlines always suggest keeping your necessary bottles with you in carry-on items and never packing them in your checked luggage. But depending on where you're heading, the pills you're prescribed might land you in trouble when land in your destination.

# Metal accessories

As anyone who has passed through airport security knows, even the items you're wearing onto the plane can have an impact on how quickly you get through the line and make it to your flight. That's why experts recommend opting for clothing that can help minimize what you have to take off and put back on while passing through metal detectors—and also cut down on the chances of you forgetting an item at the checkpoint.

# Heavy clothing

Depending on where you're heading, getting a bulky sweater or jacket into your luggage might be a travel necessity. After all, bathing suits for a beach vacation will always take up less space in your luggage than the bundling gear required for a winter ski trip. But for your everyday wardrobe, it can pay to plan accordingly by not overloading your luggage with clothing you likely won't need.