I got a nice captain’s bag suitcase last year since I travel enough to really appreciate the rollers and handle. On the plus side, it’s one of the larger ones which allows me to take all that I need plus has room left over for the geek gear I also like to bring along (chargers, spare WiFi router, cables, etc.). The down side of that size, however, is that it is generally too big to fit end-in in the overhead compartment in the plane.

I should note that to keep hassles and complications to a minimum, I go out-of-my-way to not check baggage whenever possible. In the dozen-or-so flights I’ve taken with it, there’s only been one time there wasn’t enough room and I had to have the bag checked. No biggie, but I have learned to take the first available space I can find as I board the plane. Since you exit the plane in the reverse, it actually works out well since my bag is generally closer to the exit from where I’m sitting.

The question is if that is not the correct thing to do or if I’m breaking some form of etiquette in flying. Am I preventing someone from having their bag near where they’re sitting? What if the compartments in my vicinity are full and I must put my bag further back in the plane? Am I denying those passengers their (entitled?) space?

What are your thoughts? First come, first served? If you disagree, does it help my case that, due to my aisle preference, I am usually the last ‘zone’ to board?

So, after extending my London stay for an extra week due to some volcanic action in Iceland, I am presently (as of this writing) on my way back to the states. We just finished lunch and while my body says it’s 1:23 PM the actual time (based on the position of the plane) is about 11:23 but only 5:23 AM in California where I’m headed back to.

This was my first international flight and the first time I’ve had to contend with jet lag. My trip over went that big a deal and I adapted rather quickly. Coming 8 hours back may be interesting. I’ll likely try to take a nap and see if I can reset my body clock to west-coast time but I imagine I’ll crash rather quickly this evening.

The whole experience has been interesting. The last time I was away from my home for more than a week was when I was 13. This time ’round, i have a wife and family. They’ve been understanding but it’s been tough for all of us for me to be gone as long as I’ve been.

On the plus side, with two weeks of experience in London, I’m all set to come back with the family. It’ll be like coming back home. ;-)