With the announcement ofDelta’s increased fees for checked baggage — and it’s likely that otherairlines will soon follow suit — it’s a good time to get organized and learn totravel carry-on.

Whenever possible I make a valiant attempt to fly carry-on only. Being somewhat of a girlie girl though, fitting in several outfits and shoes with my laptop and makeup can be a challenge. Add to this all of the airport rules about liquids and the size of carry-on cases–not to mention having to finagle some overhead luggage space–dragging a suitcase through the airport didn’t always seem like the most appealing option. Then I saw “Up In the Air” — in the movie Ryan Bingham, played by George Clooney, packs meticulously, has the perfect rolling suitcase, and knows every shortcut and trick for efficiently maneuvering through any airport.

When my kids were babies, carry on trips were pretty rare. Now that they’re getting older, I travel without them more often and I can almost imagine a day when we all roll the perfect carry-on cases through the airport and glide onto the plane for a family trip.

In search for the perfect luggage and packing plan, I called a man who in real life travels almost as much as the fictional Ryan Bingham. John Discala of Johnny Jet takes trips to at least twenty countries a year. He started his travel website after initiating a competition for racking up air mileage points with a group of friends. Johnny won and hasn’t stopped his globetrotting ways since.

We asked Johnny Jet for his recommendations to maximize space and keep within the size limits of what can be taken on a plane.

“My key to success,” said Discala, “is to have a roller briefcase with my laptop, magazines, pharmacy, cameras, and electronic gadgets. Then, on top of that I have medium-sized tote bag packed with clothes. I wrap my suit and dress shirts in separate dry cleaner bags so they won’t wrinkle. I put my dress shoes in a grocery store bag so they don’t spread germs.

“I rarely ever have to check it, but if some foreign airline has a draconian carry-on limit, I just grab a sweater from the duffle bag and I’m good to go. I never check my briefcase, except when flying puddle jumpers, and in that case, I check it right when boarding the plane and take the fragile valuable stuff out.”

Two of Johnny’s must-haves? “A Scottevest jacket: it has about 27 pockets so it’s basically a carry-on. I also use a Lugbuddyto attach the two bags so they don’t wobble when cruising through the airport.”

With the addition of a few items to handle our dresses and shoes, we can take inspiration from Ryan Bingham and Johnny Jet to create our own system for packing light.

To keep clothes clean and organized I pack my clothes and my kids clothes in Spacepak compression bags.

For some of our more feminine travel necessities, Flight 001 carries the Go Clean series designed for delicate items. Their bags for shoes, lingerie, and laundryhelp keep everything separate and clean.

In “Up in the Air,” Bingham rolls a TravelPro everywhere he goes. Lately, Johnny’s been traveling with an Atlantic roller briefcase. Since he’s constantly testing out new cases, next he’s planning to pack his gear in a Briggs & Reilly case.

The idea of flying all carry-on when we’re traipsing through an airport with little kids seems almost untouchable. With some careful planning, the perfect rolling suitcases, (and kids big enough to schlep their own case) it just might be possible.

For a family trip, put one of the Scottevest jackets on your husband to carry extra plane friendly activities for your kids.

And for those times that we taking a trip for business or vacationing on our own, traveling light and saving precious minutes in the airport is priceless…and will save you money with the new fees too!

For more travel news, deals, and tips check out JohnnyJet.com.