'No Backpacks?' — No problem: Attending a big game in the 21st century

Until this past Saturday I hadn't attended a football game at UVA's Scott Stadium for many years.

Before we left I checked the website to see what I could and couldn't bring in: "Backpacks, bags, carryalls and totes are prohibited inside the stadium."

Okay — that's good news and bad news.

The good news is that policy makes it much easier to prepare: back in the day, when I used to be able to take a big packpack in, I had to use a long checklist to make sure I didn't forget any of the many pretty much nonsensical things I carried "just in case."

The bad news is that I did want to take a few things — binoculars, seat cushion, jacket, gloves, headband, glasses case — without having my hands full for the mile-long walk from and to the car.

Then the penny dropped: Use those plastic bags hotels leave in the closet for laundry.

They're sturdy, fairly large, have built-in carrying handles and are ultra-lightweight.

Done.

But joe, what are you going to do at the stadium gate when the ticket taker or security person says "You can't bring that bag in?"

Come on — you didn't think I'd leave you to make the trip home without the same ease of transport you enjoyed on the way in, did you?

I mean, there's a reason I charge my exorbitant subscription fee.

Before you go, take a back-up bag and fold it down into a 1" x 2" piece of compressed plastic, put a rubber band around it and stuff it in a corner of your jacket.

When they confiscate bag #1 on the way, you're good to go-home.

w00t!