What are your travel essentials?

What are some of your travel essentials? I'm about to get my updated passport and I'm thinking of getting on a plane again for the first time in 4 years. I'm a bit rusty.

Ideally, I just want to bring 1 carry on and my purse. I don't want to mess around with any checked baggage if possible. I'm leaning towards a backpack.

What is your go to? Backpack? Hard case with rollers?

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

I don't fly anymore and I am guessing that most of my go bag contents would not be allowed on a plane now days I must look like a terrorist or something as the last two times I took a plane back home It was a lot more hassle than the time saved was worth. If I did for whatever reason take another flight. It would be nothing in the bag except two full changes of clothes +2 extra socks and underwear and a jacket or coat depending on the time of year. Everything else I would ship next day air to my brothers house.

 

If you are trying to go minimalist, take a look at brightline bags. They are common with pilots/crew. A buddy that flies quite a bit on a budget uses one of their bags (I think it's called a personal bag) to avoid fees on budget airlines like Spirit who charge for a carry-on.

 

I flew a couple of months ago, and what you can carry-on varies between airlines (size/type wise, not contents). I did only carry-on as it was just for a couple of days so I used the personal sized toothpaste and shampoo containers.
When I got to the security gate I was told I no longer needed to pull out my laptop and liquids as the scanners were updated. Still had to remove my shoes and belt though, although I watched numerous people walk through with their shoes still on and security said/did nothing.
I had a laptop backpack back and a small hard sided carry-on, which fit the size requirements. At every flight they were begging people to check their carry-on's due to space limitations.
Generally a purse and laptop bag are excluded from the "carry-on" bag count, generally but not always.
Even if I have checked baggage, in my carry-on is at least one change of clothes. Too many times my luggage is on the other side of the country from me, so I've learned my lesson.
Essentials are clothes and toiletries (this must fit the FAA regulations, or purchase a new at your destination). I also have a power bank (portable battery) for my phone, hearing aids and headphones as I'm not guarantied a place to plug in, but I also have wall charger as well. Snacks and an empty water bottle. Once past security you can usually find a place to fill the water bottle and not have to pay through the nose for something to drink.
I think you are less likely to be asked to check a backpack style bag over a hard sided suitcase

 

I fly weekly and carry on two bags. One is a soft canvas bag, like a tote or duffle. Light with a shoulder strap. That one is for clothing and toiletries. And the extra space is for if I bring stuff home. The other is my trusty Filson Journeyman backpack. That has my work stuff. I could conceivably carry everything in one bag, but the two is easy for me.

Backpack includes iPad, notebook, files and pens for work. A speaker and iPod for my classes. Battery pack and cords. I also have Kleenex and wipes. Since you can't carry a knife on the plan any more, I carry a sewing kit with Japanese scissors and a nail clipper. I also have a large wool kerchief and a couple of smaller bandanas and a wool watch cap my wife knitted. Oh and a headlamp. Also have all my keys in there and on the car keys, I have my latest EDC flashlight. A Rovyvon A8. Love that little light. Not perfect, but really good. And an empty water bottle to refill at the airport.

Only extra item in the clothes bag as some instant coffee sleeves and a wool hoodie.

 

That’s a great tip on packing a set of clothes in the personal bag. I used to do work trips to Amsterdam, then London and the. A short hop to my destination. I think my luggage was lost nearly 50% of the time. It wasn’t really lost, delivered to my hotel the next day. But it got me in the habit of packing that way.
Edit: I’d add jn a deodorant stick!

 

5.11 backpacks. Fantastic packs, rugged, well designed... change of underwear, socks, Kindle and charger, small hand towel, very small bar of soap, toothbrush, 20-50 feet of 550 cord, small flashlight, small med kit, maybe a couple of power bars... They won't allow the real necessary things one needs to carry like a Leatherman, handgun, extra mags with ammo, water and bottle, knife...

 

If you're going to France, just use an overpoweringly strong cologne or perfume.

 

I recently traveled to Midland, Texas to see the solar eclipse and I packed everything into my one carry-on bag! Your carry-on bag should have everything that you absolutely need in case the airline loses your checked luggage. Years ago, I read an account of a business traveler whose luggage was lost. He had his briefcase with all of his paperwork, but just the clothes on his back. Before his Monday meeting he had his suit drycleaned, his shoes polished, bought some clothes (socks, underwear and a shirt), and he was good to go! Way-back-then he was a rockstar in the business world for a little while.

 

Fortunately, I don’t stink…

 

This is pretty cool, but I like having my clothes and work stuff separate. That way, if my flight is delayed, I can go straight to wherever I need to and not have to unpack clothes. This guy’s system looks pretty good.

 

I forgot, I also carry a small towel and a gamcha in my clothes bag along with a couple of trash bags. A clean one for my clean clothes (think improvised dry bag) and another for my dirty clothes.

My two travel bags.

IMG_9355 by Hanzo posted Oct 23, 2023 at 14:06

 

I've read of people who purposely travel with no extra clothes. They buy what they need when they get to their destination. Me being "bigger than the average bear", that likely wouldn't work. I have to usually order my pants, belts, shoes, etc. from the "Big&Tall" catalogs. Local stores are a bust.

 

And thanks for all the fish!

 

I take a large folding knife and one of those portable electronics chargers wherever I go.

 

It's unlikely that I'll ever take another domestic flight, but I liked flying with firearms, and they're an essential item for me. Cut the line with a TSA escort at check-in, and my armored box was always the first one out at the baggage claim. Last few international commercial flights I had machineguns under my feet. Given a choice I'd rather just stay home.

 

If I need to fly I don't go.

 

In my Navy days, my Seniorchief offered me a tech school in California, we were in drydock in Charleston, SC. He said I'd ve flying. I told him, "If I can't drive I ain't going." I got 8 days travel time and pay! Did that four times, twice out and twice back! I love to drive, had my 75 Firebird hotrod, and made out like a bandit on travel pay. Shortly after the Navy really tightened up on travel rules

 

DO NOT CARRY THE KNIFE ON YOUR PERSON OR IN YOUR CARRY--ON BAG! At best you will lose the knife. At worse you will be strip searched, including ALL body cavities, and will miss your flight! Actually, it could get worse as you could be fined, jailed and never allowed to fly again!