The Traveling Writer

What You Need (and Don’t Need) to Travel Well

On the road again? After a long hiatus, I’m traveling a lot more, all by air. And seeing jammed airports, piles of lost luggage, overwhelmed ticket counters, more reliance on kiosks, irritated passengers…….

It’s not a lot of fun to fly these days, but there are ways to make your trips easier, and I’ve noticed that a few of you have been asking for recommendations, so here are mine, as I’m about to board yet another flight.

Go Carry-On

In the past two years since I started flying again, I’ve gone carry-on every single flight, including an over 2-week trip abroad. How in the world, you ask? I have tips.

• The right “suitcases”. I have 5 different choices for my carry-on options. These fit beneath the seat: a RFID-blocking shoulder-bag with multiple compartments; a light backpack. These fit in the overhead: a big backpack; a regular-sized rollaboard; a small roll-aboard. Both backpacks and the shoulder bag can carry my 15-inch laptop and any papers, bookmarks, books, pens, computer plugs/device accessories, etc. The bigger backpack could set me up for a 5-day working trip all by itself. By using the right 2-bag combination I am good for two weeks. A note – I collected these options over years, so some have seen a lot of use. But a good luggage purchase will save you money and agony.

• A simple wardrobe. Unless I’m going to a super-fancy-dress event, I wear mostly black basics with one other accent color. Yes, you can wear things twice, especially if they can be washed in a sink and dried overnight. Layering light performance fabrics gives everything additional life on the road. Super lightweight long underwear will keep you warm and dries fast. If I think I need two pairs of shoes, I wear the bulkier pair on the plane. A scarf on the plane for warmth (planes lately have been icy-cold) can double as an accent or shawl in a convention hall.

  

• Compression bags for clothes. Not only do these compress those extra clothes you just have to take, they also save you time and embarrassment if (when) your bag is pulled out for a search in the security line.

• Rolling clothes. I have no idea why this works but it does. I roll almost everything, and lo! I can pack more into my bag. Rolling also helps to keep wrinkles at bay.

• Miniaturization. When TSA started regulating the sizes of liquids, creams, and gels, that became an opportunity to create a mini-selection of whatever your favorites are of these items. One small liquid I always carry is Soak rinse-free washing soap. It will clean your washables perfectly.

And More

• My phone. My phone handles everything, from boarding passes to emails, to reading. I carry it in a small cross-body that holds a little cash and my credit cards, and that is also RFID blocking. And most of the time (except for one cranky gate-keeper), that doesn’t count as the 2nd carry-on - and it’s small enough to stick inside a bigger bag.

• Airtags. If you really must check a bag, get an Airtag. In fact, even if you don’t check a bag – I had a friend who had to park his car deep in an unmarked airport lot in winter; he put his Airtag in the car and was able to find it during a snowstorm in complete darkness. It’s a teeny piece of equipment that can save you many headaches.

• Compression socks. Seriously, writers already sit too much. Wearing compression socks on an airplane is one way to keep yourself healthy.

• TSA Precheck. I would never travel without it. Which means that you will soon need either a state-endorsed Real-ID compliant driver’s license or your passport (which I wouldn’t travel with except abroad, personally). Why stand in those long lines and take off your shoes?

• A travel vest. When I travel abroad, I sometimes wear a travel vest. It’s lightweight but adds extra warmth, can double as a hiking vest, and has numerous pockets for everything you might need in an 8-hour flight, when you can’t get up to fetch something from the overhead. It’s a little, wearable suitcase.

• Be weight-aware. If you really don’t need to carry that extra whatever, think of it this way. Lifting a bag into the overhead is an invitation to a back issue that could really spoil your trip.

• Extras. No, I don’t carry extra pillows, etc. – with one exception. I do carry a compressable neck pillow and my noise-blocking headphones for extra-long flights.

Have more tips? Please comment! I’d love to hear yours.

Happy flying, and I’ll see you after the next trip!

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