Review the rules Between the airlines and the government, it’s a challenge to know what you’ll face when you get to that critical airport security checkpoint. The savvier you are, the quicker you’ll get through and on to the gate.

I recommend:  It’s a long list but review the TSA rules anyway; they’re the official guidelines. (For regulations governing several European airports check out the British Airways website). Knowing what to expect from the airlines is tougher because regulations can change with plane size, load factors, etc. Your best bet is to review the guidelines on airline Web sites.

Know what luggage is top-rated and why Frequent business travelers and the publications they read are great resources when it comes to evaluating the best carry-on bags.

I recommend:  Check out the Travel Insider, American Express SkyGuide awards, Consumer Research, Consumer Reports (subscription required for full reviews), and the FlyerTalk forums.

Evaluate luggage features, construction and warranty Look for quality materials: leather is nice but expensive and heavier to carry; nylon or ballistic nylon is more durable than polyester; soft-sided is more versatile than hard-sided. Check out construction: bags with rounded corners hold less than those with square corners. An internal handle mechanism takes up valuable space but an external assembly should be built tough to hold up to rough handling. Pull-handles should not wobble when extended (look for a handle grip on the bottom of the bag too—it makes it easier to heft into an overhead bin). And check out the warranty. Some manufacturers (Briggs & Riley, for example) are noted for a warranty that will repair whatever happens to the bag, whenever. Others are not so generous. Read the fine print.

I recommend:  Check out these highly-rated bags: Value priced: Samsonite mid-priced: TravelPro; top-of-the-line: Briggs & Riley @ Work Collection

Evaluate luggage features, construction and warranty Look for quality materials: leather is nice but expensive and heavier to carry; nylon or ballistic nylon is more durable than polyester; soft-sided is more versatile than hard-sided. Check out construction: bags with rounded corners hold less than those with square corners. An internal handle mechanism takes up valuable space but an external assembly should be built tough to hold up to rough handling. Pull-handles should not wobble when extended (look for a handle grip on the bottom of the bag too—it makes it easier to heft into an overhead bin). And check out the warranty. Some manufacturers (Briggs & Riley, for example) are noted for a warranty that will repair whatever happens to the bag, whenever. Others are not so generous. Read the fine print.

I recommend:  Check out these highly-rated bags: Value priced: Samsonite mid-priced: TravelPro; top-of-the-line: Briggs & Riley @ Work Collection

Shop online for the best deals Except for rare (i.e. emergency) situations, you should never have to pay full price for good quality luggage. Once you know what kind of bag will work best for the way you travel, head to the Internet to track down best-values.

I recommend:  The Luggage Catalog, Discount Luggage, Luggage Pros, eBags, Irv’s Luggage Warehouse and Altman Luggage.

Have a Plan B when your luggage absolutely must be there Even with carry-ons, there’s always the chance that you and your luggage might become separated. When ‘taking a chance’ is not an option, look into alternative ways to get your bag(s) to your destination.

I recommend:  There are several luggage-forwarding services that will collect, ship and deliver your bags. Check out The Luggage Club, Luggage Forward, Sports Express, and the Luggage Concierge. Ask about corporate and volume discounts too.