By Wendy Perrin

A few weeks ago I wrote about the huge increase in checked luggage at U.S. airports because of the new restrictions for carry-on bags and about how the airlines are logging the largest number of lost luggage reports in 16 years. Checked baggage is now up a whopping 30% in some locations.  An article in today's USA Today reports that the airport bomb-detecting machines that screen checked baggage "operate so slowly that . . . sometimes . . . bags don't make it onto their flights."   

The solution, of course, is to not check luggage.  Which is why some people are now shipping suitcases ahead.  Some are buying toiletries upon arrival at their destination. Others are replacing the make-up, hygiene, and health-care products they've used for years with other brands.

Personally, I consider the first option too expensive, the second too great a hassle, and the third too steep a learning curve.  My solution is to pack in my toiletry kit--which lives in my carry-on bag-- small, individually wrapped packets of the liquid or gel products I normally use.  Instead of hand-sanitizing gel in a container, for instance, I buy individually wrapped hand-sanitizing wipes. Instead of antiseptic ointment I bring sealed packets of antiseptic towelettes.  Instead of liquid Nyquil I bring packets of Nyquil softgel capsules. Instead of a spray can of insect repellent I carry sealed packets of repellent towelettes. 

And now, thanks to Upgrade: Travel Better, I know of a nifty source for these small packets: Minimus.biz.  Hey, if Minimus products are good enough for NASA--there are Minimus packets onboard the Space Shuttle--then they're good enough for me. Plus shipping is free on orders of more than $20.