OK, so I was thinking about the wheels… my fold up cart measures 25″ in length, not an option, too long.

I remembered a wheeled shopping bag/cart I bought a couple of years ago, never used it. Found it in the sewing room closet.  Too long and narrow as it was to use as a carry-on, so I took it apart, cut off three of the four sides, added a “sleeve” for a bungy cord to slide through at the bottom, a couple of rings for the cord to hook to at the top, and the velcro from the cut away front to the back so I can fold it all up and tuck it away. Here it is folded up… With the wheels opened out it works perfectly with the carry-on, and I can slip my backpack in as well – better then on my small hard-side bag! 

This is the back:

How perfect is this?

So my problem was the piece of foamcore I put along the bottom to make it more rigid – take it out and the bag opens flat! I added some elastic to hold stuff in on one side and an organza piece on the second side (may take out the organza and replace it with elastic). Much easier to pack now.

The bag holds clothing for a week, plus my travel pillow easily, maybe even one bag of cosmetics.

So now, I’m sitting on hold with Air Canada to ask whether my folding luggage cart (which I still have from the days when luggage didn’t have its own wheels – you put it on the cart to move it along) will be accepted as carry on!

Difficult question, it seems – I’m on hold while the poor soul on the other end of the line checks with superiors about this one!

Answer: If the length of the cart is 21.5″ or less it’s OK. Now I have to go measure my cart!