Hand cream and your own soap. The soap on the plane is just terrible.

Tazi - How do you get a cockscew through security? I always had two with me (just in case one kind didn't dot he trick), but not since 9-11.

Proving once again that no effort at humor can be too unsubtle for a Web audience.

I was really just kidding

Holy cow! 18 replies already! Wow guys, great suggestions, thanks so much!!

The trip report is a great idea, I think I'll do it! I actually made this trip last January, but I went by myself, packed very little in my carry-on, and had strep throat BAD, so have little memory of the flight, hence no report.

I was a zombie on the way over (thanks to the cough syrup!), and I had an empty seat next to me so it actually wasn't too bad, but the flight home was 100% full (full of returning American students, it appeared, along with Jerry Springer in First), and I was so cramped and when I WAS able to get to sleep I'd wake up every hour, and it was torture!

I've still got some of the stuff from the amenity kit from that trip like the eyeshade, footies, earplugs....(actually that's kind of icky, why do I still have those??) plus I snagged a discarded kit from Business class while de-planing (everything in it was still sealed...wow!) so I've got the lip balm, the face spritzer, etc...

I figured I should bring lots of snacks...I already mentioned I have a 12 year-old son...need I say more? So, what food travels well, and doesn't take up much space or weight? (Besides trail mix!) Also, I plan on having one carry-on bag each, plus a smallish backpack for each of us, as the "personal item". Does a sack of snacks/food count as extra?

Re: Gameboy/batteries, I've already been "informed" by my son of the fact that he'll need extra batteries. He's more concerned about that than the fact that we're goin' to freakin' Australia...

Feebs: Actually, I won't be spending any time in Sydney (tho I had a great time there last time). I'm going straight on to Tasmania, to Hobart. I'm getting married

Crossword puzzle book...excellent...

tweezers, nail files, clippers, and corkscrew. - Duly noted....What, no scissors?

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

The Gameboy is a good idea. My son had one for traveling when he was that age. I do still bring a little soft side cooler for snacks and such when we travel. I brought sliced cheese, salami and crackers this past summer and some dip.

These days he would be happiest with a laptop loaded with his favorite games for a long flight like that. Now that I mention it, so would I! With a DVD, you could even bring your own movies.

Don't forget headphones and pillow.

Edit: I was too tired to think about it last night when I posted

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 10-29-2002).]

Thanks to all The TSA information at our big bad PSC (they took over yesterday) clearly shows corkscrews are now A-OK I'll just never learn to read the paper (I mean I trust everything they say) before putting my 2 cents in here.

I can't believe everyone forgot the most important items... a supply of SWU's or VIPOW's depending on the airline...

Isn't that an essential?

William

At least one liter of water and a couple plastic cups
slippers
blindfold
some kind of clock/watch with the ability to keep time in two time zones
chewing gum or sucking candy
(and if you like to primp before you land...)
shaver/aftershave/cologne
hairbrush
change of underwear/fresh shirt

Congratu;ations..I hope it all goes well.

As for food..I wouldn't worry about taking too much, they feed you pretty well on those flights. If you do take anything remember to dump it in the quarantine bins when you get off the plane.

Australia has some pretty strict quarantine rules and the hassle of having an officer check your food to see if it's allowed in is very time consuming..and frankly not worth it. They seem to have gotten really tough on checking things lately..worse than I have ever seen them.

Phoebe

for Sharon, or for Sharon's 12 year old son?!

One thing to check, Sharon, re the whole gameboy thing: I don't think you mention who your carrier is but some airlines have playstations as part of the IFE...

I always pack a carry-on with enough clothes and essentials for both of us for a day or two in case our luggage gets lost as well.

A horror story about this:

Family friend's daughter's husband, has an iMBA, and forgot about taking a bannana out when flying into Sydney. Sniffing dog caught wind of it, the guy got busted and taken to court, and now can't really travel to Austrailia anymore.

Zut alors!

Yikes!! I'll be very careful what I bring, that's for sure!!!

Good news! I signed up for the Gold Challenge today with AA, as the one-way miles all the way to Hobart will qualify me. Bad news: if I stay in Australia, being Gold with AA won't do me a darn bit of good! Except for bragging rights, I suppose...I've never been elite before.

To answer Wingnut's question of which carrier, it is Qantas, and they didn't have playstations in January. Has anything changed since then that you know of?

Wow, the courts won't cut the guy any slack at all, even for accidents?