What to Pack When Traveling Pt. I
Tip! If you’ve flown the friendly skies since 9/11, you’ll notice some major changes at the airport checkpoints. At times you’d think you were stepping into a third world country with the dozen or more federal security screeners herding you through the process of merely getting to the gate prior to boarding the aircraft. Due to heightened security, new safety measures were implemented November 19, 2001. These measures should not be looked upon as invasive or time consuming, but rather offer peace of mind knowing all others on the aircraft are screened in the thorough manner.
Personal Effects
With today's heightened security in airports, it is perfectly natural to want to have your luggage with you when you travel. You want to be certain everything you packed for your business trip or vacation arrives intact, and vigilance can guarantee that. For extended trips, however, travelers are likely to pack more, ultimately forcing them to check in some of their luggage.
It is important, therefore, to know what to keep with you at all times when you travel, and how to pack a case that must be loaded into a plane's cargo until you arrive at your destination. In the event your luggage should be lost, it is necessary to keep the most important items with you at all times.
Identification: Your passport, your driver's license, any and all picture ID cards should remain on your person. When you pass through airport security you will be required to have identification ready for inspection, and it is important that is stays with you and is not packed away in a case that won't be readily at your disposal. If you are traveling abroad and are using a passport, be sure to make copies of the identification page in the event your passport is lost or stolen. Keep one copy with a relative or friend at home, and keep extra copies with you in different places so you will have one ready if needed.
Insurance cards are also necessary to have on you, in the event of a medical emergency or accident (especially if you are renting a car for your trip).
Tip! Start collecting postcards. Postcards are inexpensive, and your kids will enjoy getting to send them to their friends or other family members. Postcards are also a great addition to your family photo album after the trip. You can cut them up, or even write about specific experiences on the backs of them, to help everyone remember what you did and where you went.
Money: This includes paper, traveler's checks, and credit cards. In this age of electronic transfer, you might not think it necessary to carry traveler's checks, but they are good to have if you are going abroad. Always remember the possibility that foreign ATMs might not accept American bank cards, same with certain stores and restaurants. A short supply of paper currency (no more than a hundred dollars) is good to have also for immediate money exchange once you reach your destination.
It always helps, too, to have a few dollar bills handy for tipping. Keep a few dollars in your pocket to pass over to a clerk or valet when needed. This prevents you from having to dig in your purse or wallet in a crowd.
Itinerary: Know where you need to go quickly. Have a small map, itinerary, or direction sheet with you to expedite the arrival at your hotel. Whether traveling domestically or overseas, you want to appear confident and inconspicuous so as not to catch the eye of any possible scam artists who prey upon out-of-towners. If you are unsure of where you need to be, seek assistance at the first information booth immediately.
Keeping the most important of information with you at all times can make your trip easier in emergencies. Physical items like clothes and sundries can be replaced, but if your identity is taken it will lead to greater problems in the long run. Be vigilant, and be safe.
Look for Part Two of this article, Packing for A Trip
What to Pack When Traveling Pt. II
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Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer who writes for numerous travel related websites, including Park Atlanta (http://www.parkatlanta.com), long term airport parking for Atlanta Hartsfield airport, and the Grand Summit Hotel of New Jersey (http://www.grandsummit.com), a luxury hotel catering to weddings and business meetings.
Tip! Pack lightly: Most of us take too much on a vacation, and end up lugging heavy suitcases and other bags along filled with items that we either don't use or don't need. When planning your trip, look at your wardrobe and pack as lightly as you can. Take only what you'll really need, and remember that if you forget or end up needing something, chances are you can get it once you reach your destination. | |
