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Escapes: What's in Your Carry-On?

8-6-carryon.jpg
this is not our bag
Years ago someone taught us to always pack a cashmere (or pseudo-cashmere) wrap in our carry-on bag. It's one of our favorite tips -- we've used it as a blanket, a pillow (who needs Jet Blue's, anyway?) and even to protect our laptop. We always take a couple of other things along, too...
 
 

A good paperback book. A pen and notepad. A protein bar. And warm socks. (We were also advised years ago to always carry a flashlight, which we did when we were flying every other week, but we actually forgot about it until now.)

What do you always take with you on the plane to make it feel like home?

Related Posts:
What Foods Can You Carry On the Plane?
Business Class: Only a Carry-On?

Image: Squid!

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Comments (29)

I do the wrap thing too! Pillow/blanket on the plane, chic accessory when you get off!

also:
music,
magazines,
gum,
notebook/stationery and pen

posted by HeatherAB on August 6th 2008 at 10:29am
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Cashmere wrap, laptop, jewelry (no way am I packing that in a checked bag), at least one book, my iPod (fully-charged), lotion and basic makeup, and a sleep mask.

Oooh, and gum.

posted by meg_ues on August 6th 2008 at 10:30am
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A wrap/pashmina is a great thing to have. I have several that I got from a discount store (Fashion Shop, kinda like T.J. Maxx) for about $10/each.

These things always go in my carry-on bag:
Hand Lotion (3 oz or less, of course)
Chapstick
Eyedrops
Empty water bottle - fill it after security
Crystal Light water flavor packets
Snacks (delays are becoming much more common, and many flights now charge for snacks)
mp3 player with comfortable headphones
Magazine or book
Puzzle Book and Pencil
Eye mask (or dark sunglasses) and ear plugs
Flashlight
Socks or thin slippers
Tylenol

posted by Aimi on August 6th 2008 at 10:34am
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do you really check out boooks from library? i always mean to, but never get around to it.

posted by The Sale Rack on August 6th 2008 at 10:34am
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Ativan.

posted by closertotheocean on August 6th 2008 at 10:37am
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Food, something to read, usually a book and a magazine (the Economist is good because it's so much reading in a small package); my knitting; my ipod, and often my neck pillow & eye mask. I know they look funny but they make all the difference when you want to sleep! And always a sweater / sweater-like thing, no matter how hot outside it can be freezing on the plane.

I almost never check luggage, but if I must, I make sure to bring necessary toiletries and at least one change of clothes per flight leg - especially if I am traveling for some event, like a funeral or job interview.

posted by modernlogcabin on August 6th 2008 at 10:38am
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Mmmm when flying I always carry a book, hand cream, body milk (little samples), gum, cereal bar, pashmina, sunglasses, my ipod and my camera.

posted by xieta on August 6th 2008 at 10:41am
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The word is fauxmina... tell your friends, always carry one. Second, lotion, water, snax, magazines, podcasts.

I also don't check a bag unless i'm going for more than a week.

Ultimate plane must-have earplanes if you have effed up sinuses or get lots of pain they are a godsend. They come in kiddie size so i'm always telling parents about them.

posted by DahliaCactus on August 6th 2008 at 10:45am
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The Sale Rack,

That's not my bag, and I don't take library books on trips, but yes, I go to the library (two counties' libraries, actually) at least twice a week. In fact, right now I have five books in my car that need to be returned, and there are two more sitting right here next to my desk. Libraries rock!

posted by leslie on August 6th 2008 at 10:45am
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all the things listed above plus a bento-box sized thing of food. Usually raw veggies, cut up fruit, nuts, maybe some cheese and crackers. Saves my sanity-especially on flights of 6 hours. Vegetarian meals tends to come vegan which means I don't get the protein I need. I also pack some protein powder which can be easily mixed with water.

posted by truenic on August 6th 2008 at 10:52am
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Copy of my travel documents.

posted by liebs on August 6th 2008 at 11:11am
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I've had people make fun of me for packing a flashlight, but I've needed one enough times to continue packing one.

posted by zuzupetals on August 6th 2008 at 11:41am
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Paperbacks - I have a major fear of running out of good reading material.
Luna bars and other snacks - fruit, etc.
Water (bought at the airport).
A lightweight but warm sweater and some socks.
Hand lotion, and a mister for my face.

I just started carrying my iPod, but I haven't yet used it; I tend to sleep or read rather than listening.

And there are the things that are normally in my purse: wallet, Levenger's pocket briefcase for taking notes, pens, camera, business cards, a few basic medical supplies.

posted by Jeri Dansky on August 6th 2008 at 11:46am
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Most important for me: canal earphones that destroy any and all noise from the terminal/airplane when coupled with content (or the Ambiance app) on my iPhone. The iPhone also lets me surf the web, check emails, and basically pretend like I'm not sitting around at LAX.

Other essentials include my Sony Reader (100 books - recharge every two weeks), lavender face mask, Ativan for delays, chewing gum, and my prized homemade wool cap. I also have a little bottle of mint-infused lotion that can transport me away from the occasional revolting smells one finds during a flight.

A bottle of cold water used to be high on this list before the liquid ban dropped.

posted by mr.O on August 6th 2008 at 11:58am
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At the risk of sounding like my mother... always a fresh pair of underwear, in case the rest of my luggage goes missing!

posted by als1 on August 6th 2008 at 12:11pm
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gum, make-up essentials, lotion, sweater and/or scarf, camera, gossip mags and after a few bad experiences: one change of clothing in case luggage is lost/delayed.

posted by sophisticatedsoul on August 6th 2008 at 12:18pm
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Depends on where I'm going, but what I always carry with me no matter what:
iPod ( charger)
Headphones
Magazine
Snack (usually just a granola bar or bag of chips)
Wallets
Moleskine & pen
Blackberry ( charger)
Laptop ( charger)
Camera
Motrin
Mirror/Hairbrush Compact
Lipbalm
Moisturizer
Copies of travel & reservation info

I've never thought to carry a wrap. I usually wear layers when flying anyway and always wear a hoodie. I like sleeves. :)

posted by sparkle on August 6th 2008 at 1:03pm
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When I fly in 2 weeks I am going to try to bring a light blanket, I find airplanes freezing

Laptop, laptop battery, 1-2 dvd, earbuds, snack, tiny bottle of moisturizer, toothbrush and little toothpaste, documents, wallet, snack, dental floss, advil

posted by Hollie on August 6th 2008 at 1:16pm
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I travel constantly, and I always bring...

-Neck pillow (these are so nerdy, but the best thing ever)
-Earplugs (for the big talkers and babies)
-Water and snacks
-Herbal sleeping pills
-A wrap, which is kind of like a blanket
-In the winter I bring slippers

posted by jennb on August 6th 2008 at 1:40pm
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*prairie underground long hoodie
http://www.prairieunderground.com/collections/fall07/look20.html
(ok, usually wearing.)
*wrap/large scarf
*duchess marden rose facial mist
*weleda skin food
*laptop
*moleskine & pen
*iPod with podcasts added beforehand
*water water water (sigg bottle, filled after security check)
*good book (usually magical realism or other escapist-type literature)
*snacktreats - almonds, dried mangos
*camera
*toothbrush & toothpaste
*powder & mascara
*contact rewetting drops (this is #1 i think!!!)
*wallet, phone, etc

posted by verhext on August 6th 2008 at 2:30pm
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Although, a good cell phone (or especially new iPod) can easily double as a decent flashlight...

posted by kahiko on August 6th 2008 at 3:02pm
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I always make sure I have my prescriptions with me just incase my bag ends up on another plane (this happened once and took a whole day for me to get that bag back)

-iPod (charged and ready to go with a playlist just for the flight)
-laptop
-camera
-gum
-lightweight sweater
-cell phone and its charger
-a book and magazine
-notepad or moleskine & pen
-some type of hand sanitizer
-tiny brush (my hair tangles easily)
-tinted moisturizer and eyeliner (can't live without this!)
-different snacks in tiny snack sized ziploc bags

and for some reason every time my friend and I get on a plane we like to take our shoes off(leaving my socks on of course), I just feel more comfortable.

I like the idea from Mr. O -I might be taking an empty water bottle when I fly at the end of the month.

posted by witchbaby on August 6th 2008 at 4:16pm
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Packing up my carry on early because theres always something I forget! My list includes, . ~wireless headphones with iPod/charger, camera, charmin freshmates travel size, favorite reading, hooded jacket, laptop, sunglasses,one complete change outfit, travel size regulation toiletries. snacks, tea bags. the lighter the better!

posted by keifers on August 6th 2008 at 10:18pm
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I'm surprised no one said (that I saw) wet wipes. I wipe down surfaces and my hands.

posted by Enamorada on August 7th 2008 at 3:12am
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DahliaCactus: if fauxmina is the word, it's because you just coined it. a google search turns up 4 instances of fauxmina, including the first reference, which is to this page.

posted by loislane on August 7th 2008 at 5:03am
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Two paperbacks
Hoodie
Protein bar
Cell phone and charger
Digital camera
Makeup
Hand lotion and lip balm (my lips always dry out)
Change of clothes
Jewelry

posted by Cheryl K on August 7th 2008 at 6:04am
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I call mine a fakemina!

posted by truenic on August 7th 2008 at 7:23am
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enamorada- I always try to remember the wet wipes but during the rush of packing I always seem to forget! I am going to have to make a mental note this month to remember to buy some so I can wipe the tray table and arm rests!

posted by witchbaby on August 7th 2008 at 9:42am
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It never occurred to me to take a water bottle through and fill it at a water fountain after security - I am so doing that next trip (to Germany in September, yay!)

cellphone...I almost always forget the charger.
digital camera
knitting (haven't had a problem getting the needles through security...yet)
pretentious book which i am invariably too tired/wired to read
magazine or two
puzzle book...sudoku or logic puzzles, usually...& pencil
journal & pen
lip balm
ipod/headphones
granola bars or some other snacks...also usually forget these
gum.
neck pillow
wallet/tickets/passport/etc
regular medications, advil/pepto-bismol/benadryl
multiple hair ties

and I'm usually wearing a comfortable sweater, slip-off shoes and cargo pants.

posted by thursday on August 7th 2008 at 1:16pm
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