Packing smart can be a challenge, especially for your carry on luggage. All the proof you need is sitting in your airline seat and see the multiple people trying to cram a larger than allowed suitcase in the overhead compartment along with their purse/bag, coat and their shopping bag from their airport purchases. I do have a couple essentials in my airline packing that I rely on each trip.
Checked vs Carry On
There are certain items you will never want to put in your checked bags. Some of these may be obvious such as cash, prescriptions, liquids and jewelry. Keep in mind, never check anything that you would cause an issue if they were lost or delayed over a period of time.
Carry on Luggage Must have’s
A couple items I always put in my carry on luggage:
- At least one change of clothes. It comes in handy in case something is spilled on you in the plane or your bags are delayed.
- All phone chargers and portable battery packs. I like to have the ability to charge my phones in the airport before boarding the plane. Also you never want to check the USB battery packs per airline policy due to the possibility of them exploding.
- A days worth of Prescriptions along with over the counter pain reliever of some sort.
Type of Carry on Luggage
My bag preference is a hard shell bag that fits the airline size requirements. This allows me to put my computer/tablet inside with my other stuff. This way I don’t have to worry about my electronics being crammed together as the many other airline passengers shove their stuff into the overhead bins. I have watched someones laptop bag get demolished as someone decided to fit their large bag the size of the continent into the overhead bins. I personally would prefer to have that extra protection.
The one item though, for a flight, that I refuse to leave without is a good pair of noise cancelling headphones. This is one item that I believe that quality is worth the price. I love my set of Bose noise cancelling headphones. When these are turned on, you can barely hear the screaming child the row behind you or the loud hum over the next 3 hours of the engine just outside the window. These can make a big difference over a longer flight on how you will remember your airline experience.
All in all remember to have fun no matter what your destination is and don’t over pack. DO pack your essentials in your carry on and check your airline for Carry on Luggage size requirements.
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