As for packing cosmetics, Knittel's philosophy is born out of experience. "I'm a big believer in lots of Ziploc bags," she explains. "I was in a hurry packing once and when I unpacked I found that my hairspray had exploded in my bag and all over my coat. If you put everything together and you do have a mishap then all the rest of your things are spoiled -- you want to take away that risk."

Individual bags are also easier to fit in between layers of clothes throughout the case than a single bulky large cosmetics one. So distill liquids -- enough for your trip -- into smaller containers from your larger collection at home. "Or buy cosmetics in the place you are going to; don't transport them at all," Knittel adds. Fenwick buys small amounts of toothpaste (no more than 30ml) and other items, places them inside a Ziploc and slips it inside his computer bag (which is allowed on the cabin).

It's not only about deciding what to bring, but about what not to pack. "If you're staying at a hotel," Knittel says, "why pack your blow drier? You have to be really smart about what you do."

Once you've rolled, folded and separated all your possessions into the case, Lewis says always attempt to shut it the night before the flight. "Try closing it as far as you can to get some air out of it," she says. "Then leave it overnight and it should close much easier in the morning."

Another tip is to wear your heaviest stuff, rather than packing it; when Knittel visits family in Montreal she turns up at YVR with her heaviest coat.

"Being organized when you travel is really important because it prevents delays," Knittel adds. And embarrassment, as Lewis points out: "You don't want to be one of these losers at the airport trying to take things out of your suitcase and stuff them in your carry-on baggage. So weigh your suitcase at home and pack light."

Other tips include never packing more than you can carry.

"If you're in a situation where you have to carry your luggage it's so unpleasant if it's too heavy," says Knittel, who once found herself in Italy where the hotels she was booked into had no elevators.

Also, wrapping a belt around your suitcase can save time and embarrassment. "There's nothing worse," Lewis says, "than seeing your dirty underwear on the luggage carousel from your bags popping open. A belt keeps the suitcase somewhat intact when a lock has broken."

Of course the ultimate, effortless way to travel is to have carry-on baggage only -- and forego the hassle of learning how to pack, standing in line to check it in or ever paying extra for your luggage.

"We tend to have this panicky feeling that we won't have our stuff with us," Knittel surmises, "but really when you go on vacation you stop caring about it because it's not so much about how many clothes you have -- it's about the experience you're having."

THE ART OF PACKING

HEATHER KNITTEL, GOOD RIDDANCE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER:

. Lay out everything on the bed before starting to pack;

. Roll most clothes to pack (such as T-shirts, linens, and most jeans);

. Check your suitcase is not too heavy before you've even started to load up.

DEAN FENWICK, THE CEO OF SPECIALIZED OFFICE SYSTEMS:

. Dry clean your suit before your flight and fold it -- like an accordion -- complete with the bag it's already wrapped in straight into the suitcase;

. Wear your business shoes on the plane;

. Ziploc your toiletries.