Footwear

This is one I would love to hear from others on.  What do you wear on your feet when you fly?  This is especially important for those who take LONG international flights.  Do you take your shoes off?  Do you go bear-footed?  Do you wear socks?  Do you wear the free airplane socks?

I like to take off my shoes because it is more comfortable, easier to sleep, and your feet swell.  I do leave on my own socks, however.  My kids (and I’ve seen ohter passengers do this) take off their socks and put on the airplace socks.  Why?  I would understand if these were some sort of special socks designed to help your feel with the altitude, etc.  But they are not.  They are just cheap, thin socks.  I can understand if you don’t have your own socks on and you don’t want your feet to get cold….

I also like to wear my biggest, heaviest shoes that I am taking on a trip so that I don’t have to pack them   btw, these are generally quite comfortable and loose, so easy to put on after flying for the long walk and wait through customs.

Shower

Everyone likes a fresh smelling neighbor on the airplane.  Do them – and you – a favor and shower as late as possible before flying.  If you are flying later in the day, either wait to shower until about an hour before you have to go to the airport OR take a second shower to freshen up.  Not only will you feel better during your flight, but if you are traveling internationally, it may be a while before you can bathe again.

Men, I think the same is true about shaving.  When we fly from South Africa to California, we are in transit for about 24 hours.  If I don’t shave last thing before we head out, I pretty much have a beard by the time we land.  Depending on where you are going and for what, this might not be the look you are going for when you are picked up at the airport.

Packing

A long time ago, I used to roll all my clothes when I packed them.  Does anyone else do that?  I think I had read that you can fit more in that way.  Generally, I just find that it only makes all my clothes wrinkled.  I don’t do that anymore…

Pack early.  If you are in a rush to pack, you will forget something.  And, it is likely that in packing you will realize that some shirt you want to take is in the laundry or you don’t have enough underwear.  You don’t want to find this out when it is already too late.  Why not pack early and get one thing off your to do list and lower your stress level?

Take less than you need.  Yeah, people always say this – because it is true!  I like to lay everything I am packing on the bed, then cut about 30%.  Everyone over-packs.  Two specific questions to ask yourself: will you be able to do laundry while you are gone, can you wear thing more than once?  If you answer yes to either or both, TAKE LESS than you think you need.

Finally, when flying international, I like to take anything valuable (generally electronics) in my carry-on.  I don’t take much else on the plane but a journal, maybe a book, and light toiletries.  I prefer to watch movies and sleep.  I used to bring work and several books.  But I never got to them, so why add the weight to my carry-on?

Would love to hear your packing tips – both for checked and carry-on luggage.