What I Carry With Me

Trustworthy Carry-On Packing for Long Airport Days

Do you know the experience of "love at first sight"? I get that feeling every time I step into an airport. It's the same feeling when you first drop down from the highest height of a roller coaster, when your stomach floats up to your throat. Airports are a holy intersection: The wanderers of the world are crossing paths, whether for fleeting moments, or dragging hours. Every one is far from home, far from routine. The pressures of on-the-ground identities are dropped, and anything can happen.

People marvel at the way I take long layovers in stride, and how unfazed I am by flight delays, long security lines, or travel plans gone awry. And I think it's because I don't view the airport days as only the means to a destination, to be raced through and forgotten, but rather, as a worthy part of the adventure in and of itself.

Here's what I bring with me for the smoothest and jolliest of journeys:

Before anything else:

1. Bring a Cheerful Heart. I have a German quote stickered to my laptop to remind me of this:

“Das wichtigste Stück des Reisegepäcks ist und bleibt ein fröhliches Herz.” -Hermann Löns

The most important thing in your travel bag is and always will be, a Merry heart.

If I don't bring one out my front door with me, there's no guarantee I’m going to find one on my trip. And the odds are actually lowest that I’ll find one in the airport, hauling around a heavy bag, or watching the family ahead bumble through the security check. Bringing a merry heart is actually going to change the airport ambiance for me, and everyone else around.

2. Bring The Belief that you might be seated on the plane next to a movie star. Or an Italian model. Or anyone who is gonna share their dessert. I let myself get excited about the not-knowing, and then when I sit down, and my seat mate appears not to be a movie star, I just assume they still are one, but very effectively incognito. I should be sure to spend the flight getting on their good side, in case they should decide to invite me to their vacation home, or to be a backup dancer in their music video one day. Everyone is as interesting and important as a celebrity to God, after all. (Also, my mom actually was once seated on a very long flight next to an Italian Model…. and she said he smelled terrible! So, if my seat mates have a non-terrible smell, it’s a win already.)

The clothes on your back:

Fly Clothes for me are all coverage, compression and flexibility. I want to be prepared to doze soundly wherever and wherever possible, so I want full coverage, and light layers to provide a barrier between my snoozing body and the gross & icky world.

Compression tights under a tennis skirt, a loose top and a stretched out sports bra is my favorite fly look. I want a little pressure on my legs to help with blood circulation at those high altitudes. And I want to be cozy and warm and able to move around in my seat and in the aisles like a graceful dancer.

The next layer is a lightweight zip-up or pullover sweater-- with a hood and thumb holes is best. That hood is going to provide me with the best illusion of privacy when during the 3-20 hours spent shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. And the thumb holes are just comforting.

This is the day for sneakers if I’ll need them on the trip- laces loose, so I can easily slip them on and off at security and at nap time.

Boarding Pass:

It’s comforting to have the boarding pass downloaded to Apple Wallet, or at least screen-shotted before I get to the airport. Especially for me, since when I travel internationally, I do it without international cell service. In case there’s any trouble with the airport WiFi, at least I’m already checked in to my flight, and have the documents to prove it right on my phone.

Under-the-seat Essentials:

My carry-on is going to spend the duration of the flight in the overhead bin, far from arm’s reach. So I prepare in advance a little pouch with everything I'll like to have at the seat with me. This way I won’t be rummaging through my big bag during boarding, and making everyone else irate as they try to quickly board the plane in that molasses line! BEFORE I get on the plane, I put that pouch in my hand, so I can toss it onto my seat, then toss my big bag overhead, and glide into my seat like a pro.

My Seatback pocket pouch always includes:

-My phone and phone charger

-Headphones

-A sleeping mask

-My travel pillow (mine is a wraparound scarf, that folds up compact.)

-Gum for takeoff & landing

-Lotion for my face, if it's going to be a long, dehydrating flight

-A toothbrush, tiny toothpaste (maybe even a tiny mouthwash if I'm feeling really luxe)

-My glasses case, to store the glasses already on my face, during nap time. (There's no need to wear contacts on airplanes. It's not school picture day.)

-A reusable water bottle, fork/spoon/knife and straw (This is an easy habit to get into, and it saves SO MANY tiny cups and plasticware sets.)

-A snack

-Antibacteral wipes-- I never regret it

-Tissues

-Cough drops. If I don't need them myself, the person 3 rows back, hacking up a lung, certainly does.

-AirBorne, or EmercenC drink mix today will not hurt

-Whatever book, iPad/laptop or Journal will engage me best

-Pens. Someone always needs a pen.

*If traveling internationally:

-My passport

-Pens, for filling out customs forms. And again, it’s always pens, plural, because the celebrity next to me is going to really appreciate when I lend them my extra.

The All-Encompassing Carry-On:

It is my conviction, that a Carry-on is the ONLY piece of luggage anyone needs. If you pack it right, you'll be well supplied for your trip, and you won't be weighed down with unneeded, burdensome, extra baggage. You also can breeze past all those suckers waiting at baggage claim when you arrive at your destination city, and you will be at no risk that your possessions will be lost or incorrectly routed.

UNLESS I am going to stay in one city, in one stationary place for 2 weeks or more, I don't think it's worth it to check a bag. But, more on that another day.

Now, back to the carry-on, the one-and-only.

The Bag:

I always choose an over-the-shoulder carry-on bag. I want to be hands and handles free, and I like a soft shape that can squeeze into the overhead bin even when it’s already crowded with bulky hard cases.

LeSportsac brand luggage is my favorite, because they are lightweight, water-resistant and WASHABLE. And it comforts me to no end, first thing when I come home from a trip to throw my bag in the washer and rinse all the nastiness of the airport off of it. You can't really throw a rolly-case in the washing machine, so if I ever buy a rolly-case, you can bet it’s going to be one that I can spray down and wipe clean, a plastic or metal shell rather than a fabric.

The Proportions

On the way to my destination, I like to have a little extra space in my bag- it shouldn't be packed to the brim. Opening and closing it to find things along the way should be simple, because I’ll be doing it often.

A little over half of the bulk is going to be clothes and shoes, a fifth is going to be toiletries, and the other fifth will be divided between electronics, books and snacks.

If I find I’m struggling to zip up my luggage on day one, it better be on account of an abundance of Snacks or other “Consumables”- things that will be gone on the return trip, so I can have room to shop or bring home souvenirs if I want to. This will be especially handy when I’m on a long trip with multiple cities to travel to, because the bag will get lighter, and more pleasant to carry with each day.

One of my roommates in college taught me to Roll your clothes up tight, and rubber band them to maximize space. Another taught me about packing cubes. Packing Cubes are some of a traveler’s best friends- every type of item you need can be easily separated by category, and dirty laundry will have a home too.

Clothes:

My Mom taught me to pack for a trip like this:

Lay out all the clothes, shoes, socks and underwear that you think you'll need for the days of the trip.

Then take away half.

Will you be able to wash things at your hotel? Take away even more.

Pack what's left.

As painful as it is to reckon with, I have to remember that, even though the guy sitting next to me on the plane is an Italian model, I myself, am not. No one cares what I’m wearing. A couple basic, lightweight comfortable tops, bottoms, or dresses, and a scarf or two is all I need to have a look-good, feel-good week away. I can buy another scarf while I’m abroad if it pleases me, and if I really start to feel vain, like I absolutely need a fresh look beyond the 4 outfits I’ve brought, I can pop into an H&M in my destination city. There's always an H&M, and there's always a rack where everything costs 5 Euros, and now, I’ve got myself a memory to wear and ease the Fernweh (painful longing for faraway places) once back at home.

Shoes

2 pairs only. Something good to walk in, and something that looks nice when I’m trying to be sophisticated. A short leather boot is always nice, or a stylish sandal that works from boardwalk to beach. If you have small feet, you can probably fit 3 pairs of shoes in your carry-on. I personally have gigantic feet.... it's not worth the luggage space for me! Especially given that I am not an Italian model.

Shoes can go in a washable packing bag, or wrapped up in a grocery store plastic bag, to protect the rest of my things from how gross they are.

Toiletries

-I like those little reusable squeeze bottles so that I can bring my own shampoo and conditioner from home.

-Something to clean my face, some things to paint it

-Contact Solution, contacts, plus a backup pair

-More toothpaste

-Multivitamins

-Advil

-Baby powder, to freshen up greasy hair between showers (Or cocoa powder, for dark-haired people who enjoy smelling like a cookie)

-Neosporin and bandaids

-Ziplock bags. It’s rare, but some airports are still super crazy and need to visibility see your <4 oz liquids in a clear bag. I never pack my things in a ziplock, I use a washable zip bag, but I have ziplocks on hand in case I need them. They are also great to have for the beach, to keep phones defended against unruly grains of sand.

Electronics

-Laptop / iPad and chargers

-International Power Adapter

-Portable Charger

Favorite Airplane snacks

-Snap peas, from the crisper section at the grocery store. (Don’t underestimate these- they are so satisfying!)

-Ziplock bags full of cut carrot sticks and peppers

-Raisinets

-Kind Bars

-Clif Bars

-One of those really indulgent trail mixes they sell at Trader Joe’s…. Ideally with the peanut butter cups.

In-Flight

“Aisle or Window?”

I never choose a seat in advance. I like the danger of the chance! When I’m feeling talkative, I like the middle best of all. And I pray in advance, that the conversations to be had on my left, or my right, or all across the row, will be good ones. I’ve met some awesome, awesome people from the middle seat that I never would have known otherwise.

But if the airline agents happen to ask me a preference at the check in counter, they never seem to ask, “Aisle, Window OR Middle?” They ask, “Aisle or Window?”

And if I’m super sleepy, It’s got to be Window. Because the sleep you can get leaning on that airplane wall is unmatched.

But if I’m not planning to sleep, or if I’m worried about my circulation, I go Aisle. You are supposed to get up and take a little walk at least every hour on planes, and I like to give my long legs their best chance.

Favorite Drink Order:

Tiny plastic cups saved so far this year, Just during in-flight service: ~ 2 Dozen.

Flying internationally (flights more than 5 hours) means peanuts and pretzels are going to be replaced with a full meal service! And an alcoholic bevvie too! Huzzah!

What I really want is a Bloody Mary. But I choose Red wine with my dinner, because that’s going to send me full-sail, right into my nap time.

But you know what? I can STILL enjoy all the best of my Bloody Mary. I just ask for it with no alcohol when I wake up. A nice cup of ice, and all that acidic, tomatoey goodness really wakes me up. And I am convinced that Bloody Mary Mix is the best Bang-for-your-buck free drink on airplanes, because it’s packed with lycopene and sustaining nutrition.

Airplane Blankets as Beach Blankets is my Fave

Airplane Blanket: To Steal or Not to Steal?

When the airline is so benevolently kind as to place a plastic wrapped square of warm fabric on my seat, I have to ask myself this question.

Should I steal it?

Well, if my next destination involves the beach, the answer is YES. Here is my new beach blanket.

If my next destination involves camping, or picnicking, or if I’ll be staying with an Excellent and Cheap friend who might not have a second blanket, the answer is YES. Here is my cozy night’s sleep blanket.

If I have long layovers ahead, or a string of short flights in which I may be cold, but in which the airlines will certainly not provide me another complimentary in-flight blanket, the answer is YES. Here is my new airport sleeping mat and forever airplane shawl.

Otherwise, I leave it where I found it.

I don’t know if it’s right or wrong, I just know that my vagabond life has been made significantly more comfortable, compliments of Hainan, Xiamen, Quantas and American Airlines. Forever in your debt.

Miscellaneous Items to bring along

In case I’m going somewhere where there may be drizzly weather, but I don’t know for sure and also I don’t have room to pack a rain jacket: Emergency Poncho.

If I absolutely need to check a bag, it better have luggage tags securely affixed to it- name, address, phone, email, easily in view.

If it’s a plain black or blue suitcase, or a boring design that will be hard to pick out of a crowd, it needs a bright, colorful ribbon tied on it. It should be very obvious, from a distance, that it’s mine.

And this one comes compliments of Kim: Business Cards.

We’re not at this level yet, but she’s right. A ton of the wandering people we have chatted with in our travels have offered us their cards. I have a wallet full of them! And it’s a really fun and classy way to show the significance of your airport encounter, and a fun memory to take home when the wheels hit the ground.