Everyone has favorite items they like to travel with, depending upon how they wish to spend their time aloft. I’m no different. There are certain “go to” items I always take with me on board the aircraft and several additional incidentals I want to have handy if I’m heading out on an international journey. Before we get to my list, please note I’m talking about what the airlines refer to as a “personal” item such as a purse, briefcase or backpack, not the roller board suitcases that should find their way into the overhead bins. I’m a big fan of #tumitravel Luggage and for my carry-on, I swear by their Expandable Organizer Laptop Brief. It comes with a removable sleeve for laptops up to 15,” an expandable main compartment and an accordion-type file section. The exterior also has 2, zip pockets for accessories and, although it's rather pricey, you can get it monogrammed for “free.” This roomy and smart looking carry-on is made from TUMI’s signature, ultra-durable FXT ballistic nylon and holds up well while looking great for years.
The first thing I pack in this TUMI carry-on is my #iPadPro. If you need to work while flying, don’t worry as #Apple created an office suite of applications called iWork for its MacOS and iOS operating systems that's also available cross platform through the iCloud Web site. It includes Keynote, a presentation program; Pages, the word processing program and desktop publishing application; and Numbers, which is a spreadsheet application. Once you've finished your office chores, the iPad also serves as a great source of entertainment. You can purchase movies or television programs through the #iTunes store and download them into your device. When you’re ready to watch, simply retrieve them through the #AppleTV app. You don’t have to buy anything if you already subscribe to streaming services such as #netflix, #PrimeVideo , or #Hulu. Just be sure to download your content and it will be there for you whenever you wish to view it. I also recommend downloading the airline apps before you fly so that you can take advantage of the streaming entertainment options they make available to their passengers. Electronic tablets have also made their way into the cockpit freeing pilots from having to carry those heavy charts and manuals with them on every flight. This technology is currently being used by both commercial and private aircraft pilots. One last tip regarding your iPad; don’t forget to tape your business card to the bottom. This can be very helpful if you leave your device in a hotel room or an airline seat pocket by mistake. It’s happened to me twice and both times I was reunited with my iPad in short order.
Noise-cancelling headphones are also a must for me. In addition to masking the drone of the jet engines and most cabin noises, you can also listen to your music or watch a movie in peace without disturbing your neighbor. The technology is really ingenious. It works by using microphones that pick up a low-frequency noise and then “neutralizes” it before it reaches the ear. The headset actually generates a sound that is phase-inverted by180 degrees to the unwanted noise thereby resulting in the two sounds cancelling each other out.
I'm a big fan of #Bose products and first enjoyed their QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones, then "graduated" to their QuietComfort 3 model when it was first introduced in 2006. Both of these on-ear versions reduced unwanted distractions while providing lifelike audio performance and a very comfortable fit. They also featured rotating ear cups that I loved because they folded flat for easy storage in the carry case provided. I really liked these headphones and, in fact, on 2 different occasions I had to replace the ear cup cushions as the fabric had become so worn and frayed. But they did have a big drawback. They were wired which meant the connecting cord had to be inserted into the headphones themselves as well as whatever device I was using at the time. So for all intents and purposes, I was "tethered.” I can’t tell you how many times I yanked the cords out when leaving my seat and forgetting that I was "plugged in." What a mess as my iPad usually slid off the tray table and ended up on the cabin floor.
The solution was to go wireless and, after considerable research, I opted for the #BangOlufsen Beoplay H8i Active Noise Cancellation Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones. (Boy, that’s a mouthful.) These are designed for superior style and comfort while delivering up to 30 hours of Bang & Olufsen superior sound. While that's industry leading battery life, it’s only one of their amazing features! These headphones deliver a powerful and authentic acoustic performance that almost pampers you with its precision, strength and detail. This B&O product is a perfect travel companion, featuring a contemporary and streamlined design with smooth ergonomics. They consistently rank among the lightest in their class, giving optimal comfort even after hours of use. A transparency mode is also built in that allows you to filter in the sounds around you should you need to. Proximity sensors automatically play or pause when you take the headphones on or off. Two dedicated microphones bring superior voice quality if you choose to use them while making calls. These headphones are nothing short of wonderful while also being luxurious and I would heartily recommend them to anyone.
Now, when I do get settled in, one of the first things I reach for is the airline magazine in the seat pocket. I’ll glance through it and check out the route systems illustrated on the maps in back but this is likely to hold my interest for a half hour at best. So, I always make sure I’m never without a good book since I like to read and doing so also helps me to productively pass the time. I’ve never been a big fan of e-readers since I enjoy holding an actual book in my hands but I do recognize the advantages they hold for many travelers. E-readers are capable of holding thousands of books while weighing less than a single volume so, if you’re reading several books at the same time, they’re ideal. Many of the major book retailers and third-party developers offer e-reader applications for desktops, tablets and mobile devices meaning you don’t need to carry a dedicated e-reader device any longer. These applications are available for Mac and PC computers as well as for Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices.
I also take a lot of notes while traveling for many different reasons, not the least of which is for this travel blog. Sometimes I use the Notes feature on my iPhone but normally find it easier and less time consuming to put pen to paper the old fashioned way. That's why my TUMI Zip-Around Letter Pad is always with me when I travel. Once opened, there’s space on the right side to insert a legal-sized writing tablet while the left side is divided into three distinct sections for filing. There’s even a pen holder along the inner spine for my favorite Mont Blanc ballpoint. The folio is also great for keeping your receipts organized in one place while you're on the road thereby making your expense reporting much simpler and less frustrating when you return to the office.
Several Levenger products have also found their way into my carry-on. The first is their Bomber Jacket Tech Roll. It’s proven to be an ideal and handy organizer for keeping my charging cords, flash drives and other small accessories in one place that otherwise might “get lost.” This slim accessory features a soft, suede interior and a pebbled, full-grain Bomber Jacket leather exterior. I've got my initials monogrammed on the outside. It’s great. The second is their Soft Tablet Carrier with ample room for protecting both my iPad and iPhone in a soft leather folder that I also had monogrammed. The 2 built-in magnets on the bottom of the cover and the corresponding ones on the case ensure that this carrier remains closed so nothing valuable can inadvertently fall out.
Traveling internationally? Don’t forget to pack a travel power converter that “steps down” the electrical voltage from the overseas outlets to 110/120v so that American devices can be used safely. There are so many of these on the market for relatively inexpensive prices. Finally, I always use whatever amenity kit is distributed on my international First or Business Class journey. One of the first things I normally do is take my shoes off in order to get more comfortable. That’s when the socks provided come in handy. When it’s time to catch a few winks, I also use the ear plugs and eye shades, thus ensuring a more restful sleep. You can bet the toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash included in the kit also go a long way to making me feel refreshed after a long inter continental or overnight flight. Whatever items I don’t use on any one trip are saved and later put together so that I have my own “amenity kit.” I then have everything I need for use on domestic, trans continental or extended multi-leg flights.
Well, thanks for reading about my “essentials.” What might we find in your carry-on? Let us know if you have any items you think we should add to our list.
Until next time…safe travels.
Well, I think it is becoming "essential" to keep reading and learning from this Blog