Too often, air travelers make crucial mistakes in packing carry-on and personal bags. I have tips to avoid those mistakes to help you make a successful journey, especially if your checked luggage is delayed, lost, or stolen.
I’ve heard from travelers many times that too often air travelers make some crucial mistakes in packing their carry-on and personal bags. I’ve got some suggestions that you might find useful in packing for your next flight that may save you angst and problems.
For ease of travel, I recommend using a roller bag that conforms to your airline’s carry-on specifications for your carry-on that can easily fit in a standard overhead bin. Plus, they avoid a flight attendant forcing you to gate-check it. I suggest a backpack for your personal items. I like backpacks because they distribute their weight on both shoulders, unlike shoulder bags. Also, backpacks leave your hands free during boarding and they can be stowed under the seat in front of you.
I always follow these top tips for packing carry-on and personal bags for successful journeys.
1. If you can’t afford to lose it, or if it’s irreplaceable due to its cash or emotional value, just leave it at home.
2. Make sure that you don’t take any prohibited items with you in any of your bags. If discovered, they will likely delay you at the airport security checkpoint or worse, and the item will generally be confiscated. Too many passengers arrive at airport security and find, according to them, security finds a prohibited item such as a hand gun in their carry-on because they “forgot” it was there. I recommend to all air travelers to empty your carry-on and personal item entirely, then inspect them carefully before packing them for your flight.
3. Never assume that you won’t have to gate-check your carry-on bag. Often, gate agents start requiring passengers to gate-check carry-ons long before the overhead bins are filled. As a result, pack any item you might need during your flight in your personal bag in case you won’t have access to your carry-on during your flight. In addition, I recommend placing an Apple AirTag or similar tracker in your carry-on in case it’s gate-checked to be sure of its location.
4. Always pack necessities that are difficult to find at your destination(s) in your carry-on or personal item, not your checked luggage, in case your checked luggage is delayed, lost or stolen.
5. Never pack valuable essentials in your carry-on, personal item or checked luggage. Carry them on your person. I keep them in my clothing and/or in a neck pouch and money belt.
Here are my recommendations for packing your carry-on and personal bags.
Essentials:
Apple AirTag: I place an Apple AirTag in all my bags to keep track of them: checked, carry-on, and personal. Having an AirTag or some other tracking device in checked luggage is obvious. I put one in my carry-on in case it’s gate-checked and in my personal item for later in my trip, in case of theft.
Makeup, sunscreen and lip balm: If you wear makeup, put it in your personal item, as it will likely be hard to replace at your destination.
Personal care items: Items like shavers, trimmers, and manicure kits should be packed in your carry-on where there’s more room than in your personal item, as they’re hard to quickly replace at your destination.
Other essentials: Pack ziploc bags, spare batteries, an umbrella, travel duct tape and a foldable tote in your carry-on. These types of items can help handle unexpected conditions. I also keep a notebook and pen in my personal item.
Here are important recommendations for packing health items and clothing to prepare for potential problems while traveling and ensure your safety in-flight.
Health:
Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, N95 or KN95 mask: I pack these items in my personal item as they’re used in the plane to clean the seat environment, my hands, and will protect me in case I’m sitting near a person who is apparently sick. Don’t think everyone on your flight will be well. Masks offer great protection from respiratory diseases.
Water bottle: I use this to prevent becoming dehydrated during the flight. Fill it up after passing through airport security.
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs: Essential drugs for your trip should be packed in your carry-on to last for your entire trip.
Toilet articles including shampoo and body cleanser – The personal-sized bottles that are hard to get at destinations..
First Aid Kit: Always pack a basic first aid kit in your carry-on. It’s important to be prepared.
Clothing (quantity assumes you have a checked bag):
You still need to pack clothing (a full set) in your carry-on when you’re taking checked luggage. It’s for defensive purposes, in case your checked bag is delayed, lost, or stolen. I’ve had delayed luggage a few times. Packing a complete set of clothes in my carry-on saved me from wasted shopping time while waiting days to get my checked bag. Extra clothes are also important on the plane in case of a major spill. That’s happened to me too. It was hot tea in my lap when a flight attendant slipped.
I pack shoes, socks, pants, underwear, shirt, hat, sweater, and a rain jacket. I use compression bags and packing cubes to save space.
On all flights, entertainment, food and items for comfort and sleep are essential. Pack them so that they are available to you during flight.
Entertainment:
Pack entertainment items with your personal items, so you’re sure they’re available during your flight. I pack a tablet for books, games, and videos, a noise-cancelling headset or earbuds for audio from my tablet or cell phone, and chargers and cables for my tablet and cell phone. Take a portable power bank battery if no outlets are available on the plane to power your electronics. An AirFly Pro works to listen to the plane’s entertainment system, if any, with my noise-cancelling wireless headset.
Food:
I always take snacks with me. For flights over two hours, I bring a packed meal from home or my hotel. I pack it in a bag in the top of my personal bags. Don’t forget, there are some food items you can’t take through airport security.
Toilet articles including shampoo and body cleanser – The personal-sized bottles that are hard to get at destinations..
Comfort and sleep:
Consider packing a sleep mask and ear plugs. Pack an inflatable pillow and a travel blanket for comfort and sleeping on longer flights. (Blankets offered by the airlines are of questionable cleanliness.)
Documents and some valuables belong, in part, in carry-on and personal bags.
Documents:
I keep my passport/visas and government-issued ID (Real ID driver’s license for me), and other travel documents in a money belt. This includes visas and health insurance IDs. Plus, I bring cash, either in my wallet or in a money belt or neck pouch. I keep my International Driver’s License (if needed), reservation documents, and printed tickets in a folder in my personal item.
Valuables:
Keep essential valuables including any jewelry, spare glasses/contact lenses, etc., in your personal item in case your carry-on is gate-checked.
Choose items that you can’t go without during your trip and pack them in the carry-on and personal bags in case you’re forced to gate-check your carry-on.
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After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
