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[inthelab]

On another thread in this forum, I asked who else would pay to schlep a poster to a conference.

Now I'm curious:  What do other forumites bring along for the ride?  I'm talking air travel here and assume a long trip (coast to coast, say).

I myself bring:
1) iPod and noise-dampening headphones and battery pack
2) food/snacks, if none will be served or if there will be a charge (I keep kosher and the pay-for-meals aren't kosher)
3) foldable foot rest
4) little bottle or tube of moisturizing lotion, or stick of solid moisturizer; lip balm or gloss
5) neck pillow
6) Toothette dry toothbrush/toothpaste combos
7) a good fat book, usually fiction
8) my prescription meds; my eye drops
9) work-related items I can't afford to lose (this varies).  Sometimes my laptop, sometimes just a USB memory stick, papers, files, etc.
10) camera (if I can hide it well enough in luggage, I pack it)
11) jewelry (if I'm traveling for a family affair and need to dress up)
12) all travel-related info, maps, tourbooks, hotel and car rental confirmations
13) on my next trip, I'm bringing an empty water bottle to fill once I'm past Security.  I get so thirsty during flights, and I take meds that require me to drink.

[wanna_writemore]

I always take too much, even when I'm trying to carry on less.  Typically, I take:

snacks (candy, cookies, chips)
a good fiction book
work-related stuff - usually paper files and/or books, sometimes my laptop
camera, if sight-seeing or a family visit is in the cards
headphones for TV (on JetBlue) or movie watching
gifts for relatives, if they're expensive
my purse with normal stuff in it + extra cash

Somehow my bag is always heavy. I've sometimes taken my iPod, but the last few flights I've been on when I've taken it, the engine noise has been so loud that I couldn't hear well.

[stitch]

I travel rarely, but when I do the list is similar...

1) MP3 player and extra batteries
2) food/snacks no matter what will be available.  I hate flying and I need to have comfort snacks
4) chapstick
5) sweat shirt that can double as pillow
7) a good fat book, always light fiction
8) my prescription meds; my eye drops
9) work-related items I can't afford to lose (this varies).  Sometimes my laptop, sometimes just a USB memory stick, papers, files, etc.
12) all travel-related info, maps, tourbooks, hotel and car rental confirmations
13) on my next trip, I'm bringing an empty water bottle to fill once I'm past Security.  I get so thirsty during flights.

This all goes into my backpack as my personal item.  I then have a carry on suitcase for my clothes and so forth.  I avoid checking bags at all costs.  I've only had to do so once, and, predictably, my bag was lost for two days.

[inthelab]

I've sometimes taken my iPod, but the last few flights I've been on when I've taken it, the engine noise has been so loud that I couldn't hear well.

Oh my Sennheiser headphones are amazing for that, and they are not electronic noise-canceling, so I do not have to take them off during take-offs and landings.  They are big and old-fashioned looking, but they dampen up to 32 db.  Con: they have double the resistance of regualr headphones or earphones, so the battery drains faster, hence the battery pack.  Even if I leave the 'Pod home, I'll bring the Senns to use with the in-flight system.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Professional/dp/B000065BPB

(I paid much less than the Amazon price, I think around $50, by shopping around)

[case_insensitive]

I bring:
1) iPod
2) food/snacks + a bottle of water
3) bag to hold stuff that I can also use as a foot-rest
4) chapstik
5) neck pillow
6) small toothbrush and toothpate
7) Kindle - loaded with numerous reading options
8) prescription meds
9) laptop,USB memory stick, usually at least one file of work stuff
10) camera (depends on what sort of trip it is)
11) jewelry (I always carry on the jewelry)
12) all travel-related info, maps, hotel and car rental confirmations
13) large comfy sweat shirt that I also use as a pillow or a blankie
14) I bring a bag (usually backpack) everything (including lap top in sleeve) will fit it, thus I've only got one carryon, technically, then I put the things I'm going to want to access into the lap top sleep and but the bigger bag on the floor for a foot rest

[stitch]

I'm curious about the multiple mentions of footrests.  I'm always looking for more legroom so I don't understand the need for a foot rest. 

 Is this a short person thing?  Or a thing for folks with a certain type of injury or back problem or something?

[case_insensitive]

I'm curious about the multiple mentions of footrests.  I'm always looking for more legroom so I don't understand the need for a foot rest. 

 Is this a short person thing?  Or a thing for folks with a certain type of injury or back problem or something?

Try flying across the pacific sitting on a chair that is high enough to keep your heels from touching the floor. Your knees will be screaming when you arrive in Timbuktu.  Trust me on this.

[inthelab]

I'm curious about the multiple mentions of footrests.  I'm always looking for more legroom so I don't understand the need for a foot rest. 

 Is this a short person thing?  Or a thing for folks with a certain type of injury or back problem or something?

My ankles swell up like balloons during flights.  Hence the footrest.  
I also wear compression socks like Travelsox when I fly.  

[locutus]

1) Entertainment. I-pod, book, newspaper and maybe a DVD for the laptop.
2) Work. Laptop, relevant reading material
3) Travel Info. Map, travel schedule, conference info if needed.

That's pretty much it other than the things I always have on my person like keys and wallet.
I'm low maintenance.

[jackalope]

Several whole grapefruit, a fifth of tequila, a large bowie knife, and several tabs of LSD.

(Mad props to anyone who gets the reference.)

[donstefano]

A/ things I don't want to lose, because I need them the day after, of because they are valuable
camera (if I combine trip with tourism)
laptop
important paperwork (hotel reservations, maps)
one pair of socks/underwear, often also a shirt, basic toiletry (toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, shaving cream, razor) => in case the 'forget'my suitcase....

B/ things I need on the plane
laptop
book/papers
ballpoint
bottle of water
sometimes: Sweater or scarf (long flights only)
On long flights only: ear plugs, sleeping mask

[sugaree]

Several whole grapefruit, a fifth of tequila, a large bowie knife, and several tabs of LSD.

(Mad props to anyone who gets the reference.)

Okay Hunter, but as your attorney, I'd advise you to remember to take it easy on the adrenalyne (was that what it was called?) and lay off the underage runaway artists!

[jackalope]

Several whole grapefruit, a fifth of tequila, a large bowie knife, and several tabs of LSD.

(Mad props to anyone who gets the reference.)

Okay Hunter, but as your attorney, I'd advise you to remember to take it easy on the adrenalyne (was that what it was called?) and lay off the underage runaway artists!

Adrenochrome I think? My books are still packed.

[expatinuk]

I have a travel computer bag that's really big. It holds the computer and the stuff I bring:

book
meds
toothbrush/paste
dental floss!
jewelry
change of underwear (I usually check my luggage)
water
reading glasses

and most important for a long trip.... Tylenol PM... take 2, knock back a scotch and water... and wake me when we arrive.

[sugaree]

Several whole grapefruit, a fifth of tequila, a large bowie knife, and several tabs of LSD.

(Mad props to anyone who gets the reference.)

Okay Hunter, but as your attorney, I'd advise you to remember to take it easy on the adrenalyne (was that what it was called?) and lay off the underage runaway artists!

Adrenochrome I think? My books are still packed.

Oh, so close. To my credit (if I may), I referenced nothing at all but my own - admittedly altered from the time - memories.