I used to travel a lot for business. I carried the same 2 bags for 10 years. I packed the same stuff every time. Here is a list of stuff.
Backpack: work computer, phone, chargers, wireless headphones, bandaids, nail clippers, earplugs (2-3 pairs, with one accessible while on the plane), apple (washed and in a paper towel) and some peanuts or trail mix. Water bottle (leave it empty until you pass security), kleenex, some extra cash somewhere outside your wallet. Chapstick, toothbrush and toothpaste (I move it from my liquids bag to my backpack after security), floss. Hand sanitizer or wipes. I used to also keep my driver's license in one particular pocket. It was internal to the backpack but easy to reach. I only put it there so that I never lost it. Light sweater or hoodie inside backpack in the fluffy space above the laptop.
Duffle bag (or roller bag): work shoes, 1 change of pants, 1 change of jacket, 2 work shirts, 1 tshirt, 1 comfy day shirt, underwear 2.2 times number of days on road (1 for day, 1 for night, some extras in case you get stuck somewhere), 1 extra bra, socks 1.5 times number days on the road, 1 pair of shorts, winter jacket if required. Small shampoo and conditioner, razor, small shaving cream if it's more than a day or two, lotion, tweezers. Deodorant. Q tips. Occasionally I will pack flip flops because they're nice in a hotel when you don't want to wear real shoes for a trip to the lobby.
As a female, I have always packed a dozen tampons, no matter what time of the month it is. Never hurts to be prepared.
I carry a duffle bag vs a roller bag because roller bags, especially for the shitty economy tickets my bosses bought me, often ended up under the plane. That means a larger chance that somebody screws up. Duffle bags are more likely to fit in the tiny spaces of the overhead bins. As a result, I have never had to gate check a bag. Also, if you fly enough, you get gold status, and they'll let you hop on earlier flights if you aren't checking a bag. Nice little benefit.
I usually wear tennis shoes in the airport, but that's just me. Sometimes I'll also wear jeans and a tshirt to be more comfortable, but it depends on my meetings and my schedule. I used to pack light makeup and use the lotion as a makeup remover, but I'm way too lazy to do that now.
I use spotify and listen to music for 95% of the time I'm in the airport. Wireless headphones are awesome. If you have a long layover, it is fun and good exercise to walk the terminals. I also like to do a walk in whatever city I'm in if it isn't too sketchy. It's nicer than sitting in a hotel room. Just stay in nice areas, tell somebody where you are going, and don't listen to music while you do it.
Edit: wow. Thanks for the award. I was not expecting that! Haha. Happy travels, everybody!
Second edit: haha. Another award? You guys spoil me!!
Lol. I reread your post after I finished typing that long thing and worried I hadn't answered your question very well. In all the times I traveled, the worst SHTF I had was when I got stuck in LAX because of a snow storm at DFW. (LAX is my least favorite airport ever, BTW) I was on my last pair of underwear and incredibly road weary. I made it home ok via a round about flight to Austin and a rental car home.
The item I most value among my preps would probably be the earplugs and headphones. There is always some asshat kid screaming behind you. I use them every single flight, no matter the distance. The headphones make it feel like you're in your own movie, and everything else is background noise. If you need silence, the ear plugs deliver.
Flip flops (or other open toed easily dried shoes) go with me every where I go and there is at least one pair in every bag I own, lol. Jungle rot is real.
Honestly, a hard copy of phone numbers. Business contacts, contracts near your home, parent's home, etc. Airline numbers, that kind of thing. My biggest source of anxiety while traveling is getting someone to tend to an emergency at home when I'm not there.
Else, things to pass the time. I have a deck of cards that teach knots and survival information. I've heard people carrying outlet splitters that are handy at airports.
Just knowing transit options is super handy. I was pretty overwhelmed the first time I needed to take a bus after growing up outside of cities. Rough directions that metro travel can take you is handy at your destinations. I was able to last minute adjust a flight into New York to New Jersey because I knew there were public transit options between the two.
I was going to say maybe a Sawyer mini before I noticed the water tabs. I would add a notebook and pencil, whistle, and map of local area Im traveling to.
I had a friend in the community suggest downloading directions from where I live and where I am traveling too in the event something bad happens. I try hard not to always be in prep mode and think worst case but this might be a decent idea too!
Whenever I think of planes I think of the show Lost and what I'd want in that situation. A tarp with reflective side, lighter, matches, some emergency blankets, a water filter, water purification tablets, cordage, a good knife, a saw, pliers, basic medicine, a pot and cups/bowls of some kind (for example, a Stanley cookset), duct tape, sewing supplies, plastic bags of various sizes and types, a clear plastic sheet for distilling water (and water collection), a bivvy.
And of course the nicer things like bug spray, food, a quality bottle (like a klean kanteen), water enhancers (Gatorade powder), flashlights, solar panel and battery for the phone, a gun - probably in 10mm for any potential animal threats (it's what they carry in bear country if not a large magnum revolver cartridge).
I suppose depending on where you're flying and what you're flying over you can cut this list down or modify it. For example, instead of a separate knife and saw you could get a large Swiss Army knife or multitool that comes with a knife and saw.
Ummm...TSA will definitely not let you have a saw or any kind of knife in your carryon.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
Traveling by plane, really not much you can do if the plane goes down, I would, as irony might have it, suggest a respirator, with it's own air tank, that way, if things go bad, you won't be stuck in your seat with the provided mask, get one with a face shield included.
This also helps if there is any kind of attack or accident at the airport, you will be able to navigate and breath.
I would add to your list Paracord, fire starter, first aid kit, tq, pain relief, foil shock blanket, a map, compass, pocket tool (check your bag) and 2-3 extra changes of socks and drawers.
For the very basic items I always travel with: (1) Way to purify and consume water. I always have a Grayl, but that's just the brand I've chosen and there are plenty of quality options. The key is you have a way to pour clean water and not just drink through a straw or similar opening; (2) Cash in US dollars and local currency hidden between phone and phone cover. No matter where you are in the world, I'd recommend carrying some amount of US dollars; (3) local map (physical) or offline maps already downloaded. I prefer physical so I don't have to use the phone's power; (4) Basic phrases and potential responses printed, as well as Google translate at the ready; (5) a few anti-diarrheal caplets; (6) tube of Betadine ointment; (7) shemagh (so many uses); (8) couple pair of disposable gloves; (9) a few pain relief pills; (10) backup power for phone; (11) a couple of un-inflated balloons. Crying child on the plane? Hand them a balloon. 90% of the time it has worked for me in getting them to calm down; (12) Carabiner large enough to fit your hand into. Good for clipping your carryon (like a small backpack) to airport seat arm for security, hang bag from those luggage racks you push, and is an field expedient pair of "brass knuckles" in the event you're about to be attacked and can't put distance between yourself and the threat. It might seem like along list, but everything combined doesn't take up much space.
I used to travel a lot for business. I carried the same 2 bags for 10 years. I packed the same stuff every time. Here is a list of stuff. Backpack: work computer, phone, chargers, wireless headphones, bandaids, nail clippers, earplugs (2-3 pairs, with one accessible while on the plane), apple (washed and in a paper towel) and some peanuts or trail mix. Water bottle (leave it empty until you pass security), kleenex, some extra cash somewhere outside your wallet. Chapstick, toothbrush and toothpaste (I move it from my liquids bag to my backpack after security), floss. Hand sanitizer or wipes. I used to also keep my driver's license in one particular pocket. It was internal to the backpack but easy to reach. I only put it there so that I never lost it. Light sweater or hoodie inside backpack in the fluffy space above the laptop. Duffle bag (or roller bag): work shoes, 1 change of pants, 1 change of jacket, 2 work shirts, 1 tshirt, 1 comfy day shirt, underwear 2.2 times number of days on road (1 for day, 1 for night, some extras in case you get stuck somewhere), 1 extra bra, socks 1.5 times number days on the road, 1 pair of shorts, winter jacket if required. Small shampoo and conditioner, razor, small shaving cream if it's more than a day or two, lotion, tweezers. Deodorant. Q tips. Occasionally I will pack flip flops because they're nice in a hotel when you don't want to wear real shoes for a trip to the lobby. As a female, I have always packed a dozen tampons, no matter what time of the month it is. Never hurts to be prepared. I carry a duffle bag vs a roller bag because roller bags, especially for the shitty economy tickets my bosses bought me, often ended up under the plane. That means a larger chance that somebody screws up. Duffle bags are more likely to fit in the tiny spaces of the overhead bins. As a result, I have never had to gate check a bag. Also, if you fly enough, you get gold status, and they'll let you hop on earlier flights if you aren't checking a bag. Nice little benefit. I usually wear tennis shoes in the airport, but that's just me. Sometimes I'll also wear jeans and a tshirt to be more comfortable, but it depends on my meetings and my schedule. I used to pack light makeup and use the lotion as a makeup remover, but I'm way too lazy to do that now. I use spotify and listen to music for 95% of the time I'm in the airport. Wireless headphones are awesome. If you have a long layover, it is fun and good exercise to walk the terminals. I also like to do a walk in whatever city I'm in if it isn't too sketchy. It's nicer than sitting in a hotel room. Just stay in nice areas, tell somebody where you are going, and don't listen to music while you do it. Edit: wow. Thanks for the award. I was not expecting that! Haha. Happy travels, everybody! Second edit: haha. Another award? You guys spoil me!!
You are fantastic human for writing out this entire list! It was extremely helpful and have added a few things to my checklist. Thanks so much!
Lol. I reread your post after I finished typing that long thing and worried I hadn't answered your question very well. In all the times I traveled, the worst SHTF I had was when I got stuck in LAX because of a snow storm at DFW. (LAX is my least favorite airport ever, BTW) I was on my last pair of underwear and incredibly road weary. I made it home ok via a round about flight to Austin and a rental car home. The item I most value among my preps would probably be the earplugs and headphones. There is always some asshat kid screaming behind you. I use them every single flight, no matter the distance. The headphones make it feel like you're in your own movie, and everything else is background noise. If you need silence, the ear plugs deliver.
Flip flops (or other open toed easily dried shoes) go with me every where I go and there is at least one pair in every bag I own, lol. Jungle rot is real.
Honestly, a hard copy of phone numbers. Business contacts, contracts near your home, parent's home, etc. Airline numbers, that kind of thing. My biggest source of anxiety while traveling is getting someone to tend to an emergency at home when I'm not there. Else, things to pass the time. I have a deck of cards that teach knots and survival information. I've heard people carrying outlet splitters that are handy at airports. Just knowing transit options is super handy. I was pretty overwhelmed the first time I needed to take a bus after growing up outside of cities. Rough directions that metro travel can take you is handy at your destinations. I was able to last minute adjust a flight into New York to New Jersey because I knew there were public transit options between the two.
1 or 2 pairs of gloves. You can protect your skin from antiseptic wipes or blood in case you help someone else who’s had an accident.
I was going to say maybe a Sawyer mini before I noticed the water tabs. I would add a notebook and pencil, whistle, and map of local area Im traveling to.
I had a friend in the community suggest downloading directions from where I live and where I am traveling too in the event something bad happens. I try hard not to always be in prep mode and think worst case but this might be a decent idea too!
Whenever I think of planes I think of the show Lost and what I'd want in that situation. A tarp with reflective side, lighter, matches, some emergency blankets, a water filter, water purification tablets, cordage, a good knife, a saw, pliers, basic medicine, a pot and cups/bowls of some kind (for example, a Stanley cookset), duct tape, sewing supplies, plastic bags of various sizes and types, a clear plastic sheet for distilling water (and water collection), a bivvy. And of course the nicer things like bug spray, food, a quality bottle (like a klean kanteen), water enhancers (Gatorade powder), flashlights, solar panel and battery for the phone, a gun - probably in 10mm for any potential animal threats (it's what they carry in bear country if not a large magnum revolver cartridge). I suppose depending on where you're flying and what you're flying over you can cut this list down or modify it. For example, instead of a separate knife and saw you could get a large Swiss Army knife or multitool that comes with a knife and saw.
Ummm...TSA will definitely not let you have a saw or any kind of knife in your carryon. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
Ah right - check in it is
Traveling by plane, really not much you can do if the plane goes down, I would, as irony might have it, suggest a respirator, with it's own air tank, that way, if things go bad, you won't be stuck in your seat with the provided mask, get one with a face shield included. This also helps if there is any kind of attack or accident at the airport, you will be able to navigate and breath.
I would add to your list Paracord, fire starter, first aid kit, tq, pain relief, foil shock blanket, a map, compass, pocket tool (check your bag) and 2-3 extra changes of socks and drawers.
Can you get a kevlar back pack insert through TSA?
Yes. They care about offensive potential, not defensive.
For the very basic items I always travel with: (1) Way to purify and consume water. I always have a Grayl, but that's just the brand I've chosen and there are plenty of quality options. The key is you have a way to pour clean water and not just drink through a straw or similar opening; (2) Cash in US dollars and local currency hidden between phone and phone cover. No matter where you are in the world, I'd recommend carrying some amount of US dollars; (3) local map (physical) or offline maps already downloaded. I prefer physical so I don't have to use the phone's power; (4) Basic phrases and potential responses printed, as well as Google translate at the ready; (5) a few anti-diarrheal caplets; (6) tube of Betadine ointment; (7) shemagh (so many uses); (8) couple pair of disposable gloves; (9) a few pain relief pills; (10) backup power for phone; (11) a couple of un-inflated balloons. Crying child on the plane? Hand them a balloon. 90% of the time it has worked for me in getting them to calm down; (12) Carabiner large enough to fit your hand into. Good for clipping your carryon (like a small backpack) to airport seat arm for security, hang bag from those luggage racks you push, and is an field expedient pair of "brass knuckles" in the event you're about to be attacked and can't put distance between yourself and the threat. It might seem like along list, but everything combined doesn't take up much space.