We always put everything in our suitcases and all other necessary stuff days before we’re scheduled to go to the airport. We’re up bright and early in the morning, and the taxi arrives precisely at 7. OK, we’re all packed and ready to roll. Right? Of course not. There’s always something missing. Where are my prescription sunglasses? Did I forgot to pack those new pills the doc gave me? Where’s that little digital computer game I bought for grandson Billy, and the talking doll for granddaughter Betsy? (Loud, hysterical) I don’t care if the taxi meter is ticking. I’m not leaving until.....

Of course, this has never happened to us. Well, at least not since the last time we flew. Is there a way to prevent such panic? Maybe, if you try our foolproof method; it’s guaranteed to solve the problem at least 27.6 percent of the time.

First, we sit down a week before the scheduled departure and write a list of everything we want to take with us on the trip. Since we never check any baggage at the airport, we must be precise about what to pack in our wheeled carry-ons, plus other stuff we can put into accompanying coat pockets, backpacks and/or handbags.

We don’t wait until the night before departure to start packing. We lay our carry-ons open on a couch or spare bed several days in advance and start stashing clothing, footwear and other necessities. We keep checking our written list, often adding and subtracting items until the night before.

We then gather personal items, such as shavers, toothbrushes, costmetics, prescription drugs and other necessary items. If we use them the night before and the morning of departure, we keep plastic bags next to them for quick packing. They’re the last items to go into the bags in the morning.

About an hour before the taxi is scheduled to arrive, we go through the written list again to be sure every necessary item is packed. Then, about 30 minutes to taxi pick-up time, we check again, including one last sweep of the house for a security check, including doors locked, trash out and lights and appliances turned off. Then, ten minutes before the taxi arrives, we do one last sweep of the house and peer into all packed bags.

OK, the taxi is on the highway and we’re on our way to the airport. Because of our foolproof system, we’re absolutely certain we packed everything. Now we can sit back and relax. Uh, er, did you remember to take that envelope containing our driver’s licenses, the boarding passes and flight reservations print-outs?