Travel ultralight: How to pack a personal item

For those who don't want to pay a bag fee and need to fit everything into a tote, small duffel bag, daypack or roomy purse, here's how...

- ELAINE GLUSAC

Once I flew Spirit Airlines round-trip to Las Vegas from Chicago for less than $100. The catch: I could take only a personal item that would fit under the seat in front of me (I didn't check a bag for a fee). This lesson in ultralight flying won me over with convenience and the joy of being unburdened by a lot of extra stuff. With the cheapest airfares come the tightest constraints, including limitations on complimentary carry-on baggage. Packing light is a challenge compounded by the personal-item limit. Provided you're not packing for business or special events or have children to consider, the following are ways to pare down your load, allowing you to take advantage of bargain fares.