by Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today's Traveler

A very busy air travel season is forecast, as rising gas prices send many families to their holiday destinations by plane this year. Full flights are anticipated, making planning ahead essential. Packing expert Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today's Traveler (www.smartpacking.com), offers ten tips for smart family travel.

1. Make plane reservations as soon as possible to lock in current inexpensive fares. As fuel prices increase, airfares will also.

2. Select seats when you make the reservation - this is the only way to ensure that you will be seated together. Waiting until you arrive at the airport will scatter each of your family members throughout the plane, or will require asking other passengers to accommodate you by moving seats.

3. Print boarding passes before leaving for the airport. If you have booked online, this option is generally available 24 hours in advance of the flight and will save standing in a check-in line.

4. Pack light. Many airlines are charging $25 EACH WAY for checked bags weighing 50 pounds or more. Weigh each bag at home on a bathroom scale before leaving for the airport so you can lighten the load. Also measure each bag before packing as no bag may be over 62" based on linear measurement of length + width + depth. Larger bags may incur a large fee. Consider packing into two smaller bags in place of one large one.

5. Take less. Organize what each family member wants to pack far in advance to allow time to wash favorite things and to encourage participation by each person. This minimizes complaints upon arrival, as each was part of the packing decisions. Plan to find a coin-operated laundry half way through the trip so you can pack half as much clothing. Tucking in a self-sealing plastic bag of laundry detergent saves money and hassles.

6. Organize your suitcase by grouping similar clothing items into containers: socks in one container, underwear in another. Self-sealing bags of several sizes are perfect for this and are the travel-ers' best friend! Children's clothing is easily packed by folding or rolling an entire days outfit together - pants, tee shirt, underwear and socks - and tucking into a self-sealing bag. Pop the dirty items back into the bag at day's end to isolate dirty clothes from clean.

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