GOOD TO GO! Take off with your new best travel buddies: TSA-friendly totes that are pretty fly, too

Some glad morning when this month is over, I’ll fly away. And for once, I’ll be ready. See, ShopGuy has been trolling the Web for cheap jaunts across the pond. The problem is, they’re usually a last-minute proposition. And in order to drop everything and go, I’ll need to have plenty of baggage – the kind you pack, not the kind that requires years of therapy.

Until recently, I haven’t been much of a traveler. And it shows. During my last long weekend trip to see my father-in-law in Alabama, I discovered several important truths:

1. A laptop case without a shoulder strap is as useful as a tennis racket without strings.

2. Sleeping in an airplane is uncomfortable, no matter how tired you may be.

3. The TSA regulations for carry-ons, while necessary, are just a pain in the butt.

This third gem came after the woman in front of me in the security line at BIA had to discard pretty much everything she had and dump what was left into Ziploc baggies. I will not be stuck in this predicament for two reasons: I now check the TSA.gov Web site before I go anywhere, and I have discovered the Igas Island Airline Travel Pouch.

Mike Krepner of Waldoboro developed the pouch and designed it to TSA specs – it’s a quart-size, clear, plastic bag. Plus, it’s sewn with solar power, which goes well with a side of carbon credits (see Travelocity.com for information). And, as Krepner asks, “Who would travel with an expensive set of luggage and accessorize it with a baggie anyway?” Well said. The pouch costs $12.50 and is available by calling 832-5255 or by sending an e-mail to igasisle@midcoast.com.

While the pouch may make me look like a savvy traveler, my carry-on assuredly does not. As I trudged through the Atlanta airport, leaning to one side like I hadn’t had my V8, I cursed my choice of totes and made a mental note to replace the bag at once.

I stumbled across its successor during a visit to Metropolitan Soul’s new digs on Hammond Street, diagonally across from The Grasshopper Shop. There, owner Tracy Darcy had all sorts of cute bags by Lug on display (including one of Oprah’s favorite gym bags). But the one that caught my eye was a lightweight nylon tote with an optional shoulder strap and pockets for iPod, cell, post-security-screening water bottle and the like. At $72, it’s a little pricier than my usual purchases, but considering the alternative, it’s worth it.

So is the sleek leather passport case I found for $24 at Folly 101 (101 Exchange St., Portland). If you’re in the Old Port, this shop is worth the extra block’s walk. Edith & Edna, a hip destination on the busier stretch of Exchange Street, is another must-visit shop. There, I found the funniest luggage tags emblazoned with sayings such as “I don’t think this is your bag” and “Caution: Dirty laundry inside.” The fluorescent colors will set even black luggage apart.

If it’s luggage you’re looking for, try T.J. Maxx and Marshalls first. These stores always have top-quality, brand-name suitcases at hugely discounted prices. Last fall, ShopGuy and I bought a whole set of Samsonite luggage at Marshalls for under $150. Do not scrimp and fall for one of the five-pieces-for-$60 deals at a department store. Remember, sometimes you get what you pay for.

And sometimes, you’ve just gotta bite the bullet. After tossing and turning and dealing with a sore neck, I’ve decided to break down and buy one of those weird neck pillows ($22, L.L. Bean). Sure, I might look like a “travel geek,” but I’ll also look rested – maybe even radiant – when I arrive at my destination. I found a self-inflating pillow at L.L. Bean for $29. And while I was perusing the L.L. Bean travel section, I also found a set of clear, leak-proof Nalgene toiletry bottles for $10. Which reminds me of another important truth of traveling: After the age of 22, showing up without your own toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and face wash just isn’t right. Even if you’re related to your host.

Luggage tags (clockwise from top left), $10 for six, Edith & Edna, Portland, 761-2800, www.edithandedna.com; Nalgene travel bottles, $10 per set, www.llbean.com; Therm-a-Rest travel pillow, $29, www.llbean.com; Leather passport case, $24, Folly 101, Portland, 773-5227; Lug laptop bag, $72, Metropolitan Soul, Bangor; and Igas Island Airline Travel Pouch, $12.50, 832-5255