It’s when my bag didn’t make the trip with me and decided to stay back and still not want to join me two days later. The airlines weren’t even apologetic. Having to carry a change of clothes in a grocery bag to my friend’s place was my tipping point.
I thought a wheeled suitcase was enough–but pulling a heavy suitcase in the rain, over cobblestones, and then hauling same suitcase up or down flights of stairs–I realized my 26″ suitcase was too much.
We rented a mid-sized SUV and could barely fit our stuff in the back. Not fun. We also ended up using about 1/3 of what we brought.
We just got home from back-to-back 10 day Caribbean cruises. My husband’s main bag did not arrive until the second cruise.
Next time, I think I will throw a good number of my carry-on “essentials” into my checked bags, pack looser and lighter, and keep a second, smaller bag packed inside with items I need during the flight.
Even trying to buy lunch was such a hassle because I had to tote around both suitcases AND try to carry my food. I needed more arms!