What to pack for the Plane?
 

I have not traveled overseas in quite sometime. I was wondering if I could get some advice as to what I should pack for the plane, ie water, gum, anit-bacterial stuff, etc. What CAN I bring on a plane now? Oh, I'll be flying from Washington DC to Paris, France during the week of Christmas. That's about a 7 hour flight, right?

Amy:<BR>In my carry on is:<BR>wallet<BR>gum<BR>toothbrush and paste<BR>wet naps (not the liquid stuff, the towels in foil you buy in Walgreen)<BR>brush<BR>small snacks<BR>clean shirt and underwear and socks<BR>hand cream<BR>bottle of water <BR>pens and notebook<BR>plus my tickets, passport, and id<BR>

Water bottle, toothbrush and paste, a trashy romance novel,and some trailmix.<BR>

Amy,<BR>we are travelling also from DC to Paris next week on United Airlines (??)<BR>In my carryon, besides the ticket/passport I will pack my 3-in-1 winter jacket, toiletries, a set of change clothes in case your luggage gets misrouted, eye drops, nasal spray, water and a reading material.<BR>have a nice trip!

You CAN'T take anything sharp or potentially dangerous so...no nailclippers, tweezers, corkscrews, pocket knives etc. They just confiscate them from hand luggage. You can put these things in checked luggage.<BR><BR>Most of the airlines give you toothpaste, brush etc. I like to bring some perfume (or buy it duty free at airport or on plane) to feel fresher when I arrive. Listerine also has this new Pocketpak thing that disolves in your mouth. Looks like a good idea

HI AMY! The previous posters' lists look pretty good (esp. socks--i hate having cold feet--and hand cream--Neutrogena has this awesome concentrated cream, it works wonders and it smells soooo good!) <BR><BR>Here's one more add-on to freshen up: Dove has these travel packs of body refresher wipes--it's for the whole body so it's great!<BR>

what they said, plus I bring a clean pillow case to put over the airline's much-used pillow

oh, and one more thing: IF you must have scissors on the plane <BR>(e.g. for organizing your journal/trip &quot;book&quot;/album on the way home or for whatever reason), try getting some plastic scissors. <BR><BR>I &quot;borrowed&quot; one from my little sister's pre-school stash. It's about 2in long and completely plastic. I assume it couldn't hurt anyone since it's intended for pre-schoolers! But then again, I haven't tried bringing it on the plane yet. Anyone out there know if this should be okay?

Thanks, eveyone! Great ideas, especially about the extra pillow case (elaine), I'm always scared by the pillows. And I love the Neutragena creme, but didn't realize it smelled good. Jetset, have fun in Paris, i'm flying out on Delta next saturday. Where did you get your 3-in-1 winter jacket?? I still haven't found a good one yet to bring. I have a pea coat, which is warm, but I don't think it would be fun to wear in the rain. And good boots/walking shoes, I need to find that too before I take off. So much to do, but I'm sooo excited ~ first time in Paris!! Thanks again

I always travel with 24 hours' worth of food and clothing, you never know what might happen with delays, inedible food, lost luggage, etc. Water, trail mix, fruit. Hair brush, toiletries,change ofclothes. <BR><BR>Plus any valuables and things that it would be a disaster to lose or do without at the beginning of your trip if your luggage goes on a different vacation than you do -- i.e., confirmations of reservations, maps, tickets, passport (of course), jewelry, cameras, etc.

It's the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (the concentrated one- it works wonders!).<BR><BR>Yup, I second Elaine's pillowcase idea: it packs light, it's clean, it's a piece of home!<BR><BR>Have a GREATTT TIME in Paris!!!

To increase your chances of getting some sleep on an overnight flight, you might want to bring eyeshades and earplugs. Some airlines provide those items, but not all of them do, and they don't take up much room, so I always bring them with me just to be safe. I also like to bring something to hold my head upright when I'm trying to sleep. A lot of people use those inflatable neck pillows that you can buy for about $10, or the &quot;Bucky&quot; pillows (which are somewhat more expensive, and not inflatable), but I've found that the only thing that provides enough support for me is something called the &quot;Komfort Kollar&quot;, which I believe is sold only through the Magellan's catalog. By the way, that's an endorsement, not an advertisement, as I'm not affiliated with Magellan's or the people who make the &quot;Komfort Kollar&quot; -- if I were, I wouldn't have let them spell it that way! <BR><BR>Also, if you're taking any medication that you have to take every day, be sure to put it in your carry-on bag in case your checked luggage gets lost. That may sound obvious, but I know people who haven't done it, and who have regretted it.

Ear plugs, eye mask, Ambien (even though I still never get to sleep - but I can hope), shoes that slip off easily and are big enough to get back on when my feet swell (and they always do), nasal spray, eye drops, lip balm and bottled water(really dry air on plane), change of clothes(at least underwear and T shirt which can be used as nightshirt in case luggage gets delayed or lost),towelettes for both hand and other hygiene, some good nibbles, a good book, necessary documents and money, blow up back and neck pillows, sweater, minimal makeup and prescription meds for enough days for whole trip plus a few. All this squeezes into a carry all which fits under the seat in front so I can get to everything.

I have to vote against taking perfume - I know it makes the person wearing it feel better, but many people nearby may not have as postive a reaction...<BR>Strongly recommend that you take a bottle of water that can be refilled (repeatedly) during the flight. Sometimes water can be hard to find.

Amy, the only thing I'd add is a walkman and tapes. I can't concentrate enough to read, and I can't sleep well on the plane, so I rest easy by listening to music. You might consider putting everything you need for the flight itself in a &quot;comfort kit&quot;, a drawstring bag that you can put under the seat. Then, your carry-on can go up in the overhead bin.

A few more ideas...Old Spice Cool Contact refreshment towels...saline nasal spray...CD Player and headphones...ocean waves sound CD...and anything else you &quot;can't be without for a day.&quot;<BR><BR>And with any moisturizer, be very careful when you open it up on the plane, the pressurization difference can cause quite a mess with the &quot;flip-top&quot; types. Haven't had any problems with the regular screw caps.

Oh, one more thing...change into sweat/jogging pants in the airport before you leave and then back into your &quot;street clothes&quot; when you arrive. Much more comfortable, especially on overnight flights.

I don't even *own* a pair of sweatpants. I do have exercise clothes that I wear in the gym, pyjamas that I wear in bed, and comfortable, nice looking clothes that I wear when I travel. Please don't wear sweatpants when you travel, unless you're traveling in a camper trailer.

Ear plugs, water bottle, socks, power bar for hunger, Ambien or Sonata (sleeping pills).

Hi Amy-<BR>Great thread! In addition to the items everyone else has listed to bring in their carryon luggage, I also bring a small can of the Evian mist for my face. I know it may sound like a silly thing to bring, but long overseas flights do a number on my skin. I take all my makeup off on the plane, and everytime I get up to go to the restroom I take that with me and mist my face. Its very refreshing and keeps my skin looking wonderful. I also use it to tame the frizzes and help slick my hair back into a pony tail before I get off the plane!