Well it's countdown time - leaving for Italy next week and I'm trying to decide how to pack my carry on. I have a small Le sportSac tote. Any suggestions on items for the carry on, mainly essentials that you can't live without if your luggage is lost or delayed and things you will need on the plane.

For the plane I'd pack a good book, inflatable headrest, eyedrops (if you have contacts), antibacterial lotion, moisturizer, chapstick, socks, bottled water, fleece/sweater (something you can use as a blanket since they rarely wash the ones on the plane). For arrival and/or misplaced luggage, bring: your hotel information (and car information if you are renting a car at the airport or being picked up by a car service), cash, pair of underwear and an extra t-shirt to change into when you get there. <BR>Buon Viaggio!

Pills, make up, moisturizer, lip balm, "Clear eyes", my pashmina. Usually some kind of snack. And then there is all the other stuff, passports, wallet, tickets, hotel confirmations,etc. By the time I am through packing all the essentials, it is as heavy as my luggage!<BR>Have fun

socks! my feet freeze on flights. Also lip balm and hand cream.

prescription medicines, pajamas and change of clothes, toothbrush, makeup, eyemask, earplugs, book

For me, several things to read: books, magazines (English and Italian), electronic games. I am paralyzed with fear that I will be stuck with nothing to do. That's the bulk of my take-on, followed by the lotion, water, pills yada yada. I am not so picky on blankets; trust me, you will run into all sorts of yucky things in traveling, might as well build up a resistance. <BR><BR>Carrying on water, I find is now a necessity. I get very thirsty since I drink a lot of water, and when going back to the galley, I have curtly been told to take my seat.

In addition to things you'll use on the flight, your carry on should include any valuables and items that would be difficult to replace at your destination: Prescriptions, spare glasses, camera, jewelry. Also, as others have noted, everything you'd need to get through the first 24 hours, including reservations, change of clothes, etc.<BR><BR>Also, carry your film (both exposed and unexposed) as the security screening for checked bags will be more likely to fog it.

Don't forget to bring a water bottle! I cannot stress enough how important that is. Flying to Germany I had a really nice flight attendent who gladly gave me water whenever I needed it. On my return I assumed it would be the same, but was sorely mistaken. I had a very stingy group of flight attendents who acted as if I was being unreasonable in requesting water every hour. So although they are usually good about hydrating everyone, I wish I had my backup water bottle on the return flight! Eye drops and saline spray for my nose were also really helpful and made my flight much more tolerable.

If you take any medications, be sure to put them in your carry-on. <BR><BR>Also carry-on your itineraries, money and credit cards, eyeglasses (if you need them), a sweater, and a jacket. I also suggest bringing a change of underwear, just in case your luggage gets delayed.

Great suggestions - I always pack a little bag of trail mix that I make - dried apricots, raisins, bite size prunes, almonds, peanuts,sunflower and pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries. Great energy booster. I actually pack one little bag in my suitcase too to snack on in my hotel.

Change of underware and a shirt. Walkman, book, small case of toiletries to refresh myself. (pit stick, toothpaste and brush, comb and small bar of soap).

Extra socks (thick ones) or slippers - so I can take off my shoes and leave them off until landing. A fleece jacket or vest - I find airplanes over-cooled, and also if I need an extra pillow, I'd rather roll my own clothing up and sleep with my very own germs next to my face!

me: toiletries/make-up, all liquids(I have had some disastrous spills in checked baggage, even if triple-ziplocked), all medications, costume jewellery(leave the good/real stuff at home) camera and film, change or 2 of underwear and socks, change of tops, nightgown, bathing suit, books, snacks, water. In my small travel purse I have nasal lubrication spray, face mist, seabands, ear planes, headphones, and a wallet - but all th real $ and important stuff are in my money belt.

I found that having a small black purse (which doubled as my evening bag on the trip)was great to have filled with kleenex, saline, eye drops,gum,lip balm, lotion, ear plugs and mirror. I kept it with me at my seat and it was very convenient to access while seated and take to the rest room with me.

To help avoid liquids leaking when you pack them in checked luggage, you can squeeze a little air out of the plastic containers before closing them tight; this gives them a little room to expand if air pressure drops in the luggage compartment. I do this all the time (it's a habit nw) and have never had a leak.

If you would like some good and cheap accommodation in Venice, please send me an email. Have a nice day !

Anything small that you don't want to lose forever! In the past month, I've had 2 bags not make my flight on Air Canada, and just last weekend, Air France delayed my husband's bags. Granted, both of those cases were delayed bags, not lost bags (thank GOD!), but both times we went through a horrible couple of days thinking about the irreplacable favorite items we might lose forever. <BR><BR>From now on, even though I don't travel with expensive jewelery, I'll always take mine with me in my carryon.<BR><BR>I suppose when I thought I might never see my bags again, I was most upset about losing my best pair of shoes, but that doesn't mean I'm going to carry them in my carryon next time! Just do keep in mind that airlines DO lose luggage on occasion . . . <BR><BR>(Also a compulsive snack packer - makes the long flights so much more comfortable when I don't have to rely on the sporadic provision of unidentifiable food for nourishment).

Pack all of your items that you are taking with you and a prescription of Ambien. We did carry-on. It was great. No stress worrying about the luggage arriving with you, and you get some sleep. I've arrived places three times without my luggage arriving with me, so I am paranoid about checking luggage.