How many times did you fly in that 6 months ? What ' s your strategy for flying on budget airlines that try to charge you $ 75 on top of your $ 150 fare ? I stopped bringing suitcase style carryon luggage with me . I fly on really cheap airlines . Every year it seems like they reduce the size of their carryon luggage by a couple of inches , and then have someone standing there to check the sizes before you get on the plane . Then they say Oops , sorry that Travelpro carryon bag that you bought because all the airline employees use them does not meet our carryon requirements . Please pay the extra fee to check it at the airport . Now , for me , it ' s just a small backback , or small backpack checked bag . I do my own hand washing often when I ' m in tropical climates .