Now that I’m back, I’ll let you know what I actually did!

Campbell’s sent me a rolling backpack, which was basically a jansport backpack with a “Chunky” logo on it. On the way to Chicago, I packed everything in that…laptop, purse, books, etc. The wheels were nice.

On the way back, I had too much stuff. So I packed along the chunky bag plus a little tote, where I carried my books, water bottle, etc. On the flight, I actually put my laptop in the tote, rather than in the backpack.

When you’re flying a small plane, like I frequently do, make sure you have a place for your electronics, other than the standard carryon. Even my rolling backpack was too big to fit in the overhead, so that’s why I threw the laptop in the tote. The backpack had to be checked into the planeside luggage.

We have much stricter rules over here about what and how much can go as carry on. Knitting needles are usually confiscated, and you may take exactly one bag. For entertainment, I usually take a new book, a magazine, and a newspaper. And hope for a decent in-flight film.

On shorter flights I prefer a window seat, and on longer flights an aisle one. Middle seats are always rubbish.

On international trips, I usually take that same back-pack as well as a small roller. (The roller is filled with business stuff plus a full change of clothes.) I recommend checking out your roller ahead of time to make sure it works for you. I’ve purchased many since I’ve had to travel a lot. My favorite now is one I bought in a shanty in Morocco. It’s light-weight and does the job. Many times, it stays in the overhead bin; other times, I’ve taken it out to take out files and work. A change of clothes saved me when I went on a missions trip to Cameroon when my checked bagged didn’t get there until the day before I left to go home!

Hint on your zip-lock bag — Although personal opinion, I recommend:
1) Nose-spray. I never use it in daily life. Even on domestic flights over a few hours, I would find myself with bloody bugars (sorry for the graphic). It’s not the altitude, but the dryness of the plane. I had no idea. Finally one time in Switzerland, I gave it a try, and it works wonders! Eye-drops are good too.

2) Lotion – The hotel freebies are the perfect size. Plus take your fav eye-and-face cream.

3) Minimal make-up — just in case.

Seat choice – I agree with Lynnae’s recommendation. I like to have the opp to get up (plus my bladder must be the size of a pea), so I always try to get an aisle seat. If you’re a better snoozer, then windows are defintely the best.

I think Lynnae mentioned this in a prior post, but an empty water bottle is the best. After getting through security, I find the nearest water fountain. I put in my zip-fizz (vitamin mix) and fill ‘er up. That way, I get water when I need it and at the volume my body needs. On super-long flights (like to Japan), I’ve never had a flight attendant who wasn’t happy to re-fill it with water.

One LAST thing (finally) – Do carry a bit of cash, but DO make sure to have your debit (or credit) card with you. Some airlines (like American) no longer take cash – period.

Enjoy your travels!

Definitely take a complete change of clothes in your carryon! You never know when the toddler next to you will ‘urp’ all over you…oh wait, that was MY toddler and he got the guy sitting next to me…sorry :( If you ever have to spend the night at an airport unexpectedly, the large ‘family’ or handicapped separate bathrooms make a decent ‘quick washup’ room with privacy.

If traveling with kids, or even just you, take wetwipes.

Cheese, sausage, and crackers, and apples are all things that travel fairly well and can last for days if you get stranded. I get the Tillamook cheese/sausage individually vacuum sealed packages that don’t have to be refrigerated.

Take an empty water bottle and fill it up once you are past the scanners. I seem to want water when it is not available yet on the flight – or to take my seasick pill with :)

Carry your prescriptions and emergency meds on your body. Then no matter what, they are accessible to you even if you are stuck in your seat.

A second on the blow up neck pillow – a godsend :)

My jacket folds up into it’s polar fleece hood, ties with the neck strings, and can be hooked to my backpack. Again hands free :) And the jacket, rolled up that way, can double as a pillow, or unfolded as a blankie. Same jacket has flown with me for the past 25 years just for that reason :) It came in handy as a blanket on the floor of the Houston airport one terrible night :( And the backpack doubled as a pillow then.

Pack a couple pages of a sudoku, crossword, wordfind, etc – instead of the whole books. And a couple of pages of paper in case you want to write a note or letter while waiting.

I carry and extra stash of cash, a spare credit card, copy of tickets,and a photo ID in a separate place on my person, in case my wallet gets stolen (altho as it’s in my front jeans pocket it would be very very difficult for anyone to do that)

And enjoy your flight!

Pack a craft item; like cross stitch, crochet, knitting or a loom. I packed my circle loom/pick and made a scarf will waiting and flying. I needed to get this done for a conference. I received a lot of questions and amazement on how fast I was able to get it done.

I pack a small circular container that has a few allergy pills, pain medicine, and cold medicine. Then I pack the rest of the boxes in my regular suitcase.

During the summer months of travel, I put a pair of socks and two small baby blankets in my bag. That way when I am cold, I put on my socks and drap the blanket over me.

I bring along my flashdrive because some airports have free downloads in their terminals that have movies and music.