Jan 29, 2015, 5:33 pm
Last edit by: mfkne
- Utensils: sporks are popular. Disposable spoon, fork and knife cadged from fast food places.
- binder clips for cables and curtains both. Curtains tip: use the hangers with pants clips.
- Resusable small vacuum bag
- Micro scissors. Jetpens has various small pens for travel, too.
- Bento soy sauce containers used for liquidsFilling instructions - squeeze container to expel air, touch the tip to product, slowly release to pull in the product.
- Packing tape strips and Coghlans Handy Duct Tape which is flat.
- Gear Tie can be used to tie one bag to another and a lot more.
- Ranger bands instead of rubber bands.
- CashStash
- 8 foot extension cord
- Compass
- Bottle opener
The little useful things no one thinks of
Feb 27, 2015, 7:58 am
#151
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: In a hotel somewhere trying to repack everything I brought (and bought) in to a carry-on smaller than my last one.
Programs: UA, Asia Miles, Southwest, IHG
Posts: 1,101
If you travel carry-on only, each piece you're wearing/bringing is a major part of your outfit. I bring a 10-12" long 2" wide female part of a velcro strip to stick on to those annoying velcro bits that are sewn on to the backs of chairs on planes, buses and trains that tend to snag whatever I am wearing.
For a pen I carry the Fisher Space Stowaway Pen. It's small enough and lightweight enough to be tossed in every bag and wallet. My only complaint is that the ink cartridge is secured by a plastic plug at the end of the pen that loosens up after a few refills or if you push too hard on the tip.
I also have a soapleaf (soap shavings) or two in a tiny ziplock for handwashing. Depending on where you travel, soap may not be available for handwashing.
For a pen I carry the Fisher Space Stowaway Pen. It's small enough and lightweight enough to be tossed in every bag and wallet. My only complaint is that the ink cartridge is secured by a plastic plug at the end of the pen that loosens up after a few refills or if you push too hard on the tip.
I also have a soapleaf (soap shavings) or two in a tiny ziplock for handwashing. Depending on where you travel, soap may not be available for handwashing.
Mar 15, 2015, 8:49 am
#152
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,731
Probably thought of by many, but if not, learn from this idiot abroad:
Decongestant--particularly if you are traveling solo, during flu season, to a country where your language skills are subpar at best.
Trust me, if you come down with some nasty ailment, although you may be able to go out to the local apothecary and find something that looks NyQuil-ish--you sure won't want to.
Decongestant--particularly if you are traveling solo, during flu season, to a country where your language skills are subpar at best.
Trust me, if you come down with some nasty ailment, although you may be able to go out to the local apothecary and find something that looks NyQuil-ish--you sure won't want to.
Mar 16, 2015, 5:31 am
#153
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 169
I always just bring a small bag, maybe the size of a pencil case, with just enough of any common meds to get me through the worst of any flu, etc.. A couple friends used to think it was ridiculous... until they started having to "borrow" from that collection while we were abroad.
Mar 16, 2015, 5:44 am
#154
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 41
+1
I always just bring a small bag, maybe the size of a pencil case, with just enough of any common meds to get me through the worst of any flu, etc.. A couple friends used to think it was ridiculous... until they started having to "borrow" from that collection while we were abroad.
I always just bring a small bag, maybe the size of a pencil case, with just enough of any common meds to get me through the worst of any flu, etc.. A couple friends used to think it was ridiculous... until they started having to "borrow" from that collection while we were abroad.
Much better than relying on any over the counter medicine from any country or any person.
Mar 16, 2015, 10:31 am
#155
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
I have a pair of small scissors I found in Walgreen's that are intended for trimming mustaches. They have short blades with little rounds on the tips. They have so far passed many airport inspections (I keep them in my liquids bag), but they're quite sharp along the blades.
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I usually just clip it to the backpack grip with a biner - so it's obvious to the screeners. No problems the few times it's been examined, including at LHR and FRA.
Leatherman PS Multitool
Mar 16, 2015, 1:18 pm
#156
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,415
I've had a flu shot every year since 1994 (and probably before then but that's when I started working around hospitals and getting them for free) but that doesn't mean you don't ever get sick or want some OTC drugs. I too always pack the basics of what I might need and know work with my system.
Mar 16, 2015, 1:58 pm
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,396
I've found this TSA-compliant multi-tool (Leatherman PS) very useful and the scissors effective if I need a short blade. But it also has decent small pliers and screwdrivers. It came in very useful 2 weeks ago to take apart and free the stuck expansion cam on my carry-on Tumi to turn it into a check-in.
I usually just clip it to the backpack grip with a biner - so it's obvious to the screeners. No problems the few times it's been examined, including at LHR and FRA.
Leatherman PS Multitool
I usually just clip it to the backpack grip with a biner - so it's obvious to the screeners. No problems the few times it's been examined, including at LHR and FRA.
Leatherman PS Multitool
Mar 16, 2015, 4:11 pm
#158
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
Leatherman Squirt PS4
Last edited by AATrout; Mar 16, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Mar 16, 2015, 8:24 pm
#159
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 41
I've had a flu shot every year since 1994 (and probably before then but that's when I started working around hospitals and getting them for free) but that doesn't mean you don't ever get sick or want some OTC drugs. I too always pack the basics of what I might need and know work with my system.
I have flown to Africa, Europe and other places.
Not once did I need any over the counter medicine or ask anyone for anything that they had on them.
The 3 years before that I got sick from the people sitting next to me on the plane that were sick. I would carry throat lozenges, echinacea, and every thing else that people use when they get sick. Not once did any of that stuff stop me from getting sick or really help me when I was sick.
Each person is different but I will continue to do what works for me.
Cheers
Mar 16, 2015, 9:52 pm
#160
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 164
The room service menu included a pot of hot chocolate.... Best thing I have ever tasted (at that moment).
Mar 17, 2015, 6:47 pm
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,396
Yep, this little guy is with me every day, and if not for the blade, I would get another for air travel.
Leatherman Squirt PS4
Leatherman Squirt PS4
Mar 31, 2015, 5:55 pm
#164
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Programs: Hilton Gold, Priority Club Blue, SPG Gold, Sofitel Gold, FB Ivory, BA Blue
Posts: 8,474
When I actually check a bag, my Swiss Army Cyber Tool goes with me. It's my complete server room tool kit, plus scissors, bottle opener and corkscrew.
Apr 1, 2015, 12:12 pm
#165
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
I've found this TSA-compliant multi-tool (Leatherman PS) very useful and the scissors effective if I need a short blade. But it also has decent small pliers and screwdrivers. It came in very useful 2 weeks ago to take apart and free the stuck expansion cam on my carry-on Tumi to turn it into a check-in.
I usually just clip it to the backpack grip with a biner - so it's obvious to the screeners. No problems the few times it's been examined, including at LHR and FRA.
Leatherman PS Multitool
I usually just clip it to the backpack grip with a biner - so it's obvious to the screeners. No problems the few times it's been examined, including at LHR and FRA.
Leatherman PS Multitool
