Airline carry-on. What do you pack??

[rszdtrvl]

We have 11 days to go and I am bouncing!!


I have had a suitcase partially packed - a huge one - for a while now and am packing as I see stuff.

Question is :

What do you normally put in your carry-on bag? There are 3 of us, so we will definitely be doing 3 carry-ons.

DH has to have his CPAP machine as his carry-on. I think one bag will have a change of clothes for the 3 of us in case there is a problem with missing luggage (doubtful, but you never know) and the 3rd will contain stuff like cell phone, my son's DS, medicine, snacks, etc. (We are only traveling from PDX to SNA, but we have a change of planes and I know SW only serves up peanuts....)

And....

Medication. My son has Autism, and DH has high cholesterol. I can just bring the medicine organizers (pill boxes), right? (Sorry - we have not traveled in over 10 years and with the new guidelines this is whole travel thing is pretty new to us..) I do not need to bring the actual prescription bottles. Right?

Does it need to go in the quart bag with all of the other liquid-type stuff (for pills - I am not taking any liquid medications)? Or can I just put it loosely into the carry-on?

How about stuff like nail clippers? Plackers (the dental floss sticks)? Anything I should be aware of that is not allowed to be carried onto the airplane that I may thing would?

I am trying to only have 2 pieces of checked luggage - 3 pieces max (if we choose to bring an "empty" suitcase for goodies purchased during our trip) for our 5 night adventure.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[rentayenta]

www.tsa.gov They'll have the most up to date info.

 

[mystic_path]

It all depends on where you are flying from, but if your not sure, check the link above in the last post, and you can also call the airport and they can tell you.

I know you can not take liquids onto the plane such as suntan lotion. That kind of stuff and most likely caugh medicine will have to be put in your regular luggage. If you have toe nail clippers and nail files, I wouldnt risk putting it in your carry on. I would put it in regular luggage as well just to play it safe. They took my pen away from me. I had to go buy a new one as soon as we got through security. It was strange, but it happened.

 

[smilnjen]

Hi I just got back from a 5 day trip...we are from Eugene....I put all of the things you mentioned into our carryons...In addition to that stuff I brought GUM, (for landing an departure), it helps with ear problems. Def. bring snacks. I also went to the dollar store. They have quite a big selection of disney items...I got some activities such as coloring and cards...My son got a booklet from school that he could write daily passages about his trip and draw pictures....

 

[bumbershoot]

Your pills are fine in your carryon, they do not have to be separate. A friend of mine with lifelong medical problems and a gazillion daily pills took hers in the weekly boxes, and next time she'll do the same but also carry copies of the labels showing drug name, her name, prescribing doctor, pharmacy, etc. She didn't get hassled, but as a "just in case" measure.

Your hubby should check with the airline to see if his CPAP machine even counts as a carryon, since it's medical equipment.

Ooh, good info here for the security screening with the CPAP: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/cpap.shtm

Nail clippers have been fine for us and they are on the OK list on TSA right now.

Snacks: don't forget that once you're through security at PDX, you can buy food and take it on the plane! SeaTac has "street" pricing since they did their upgrade of the terminal, so it's not more expensive than it would be elsewhere, and PDX might not be the same, but still, it can be good to know if you don't already know!

Otherwise we carry granola bars, and that's pretty much it, in terms of snacks on the plane. SW has also offered pretzels and some sort of nutrigrain bar on my recent flights, but I don't eat them b/c they have high fructose corn syrup which we don't eat.

Remember that you get a quart bag for each of you! Just in case you have many little shampoos or travel sized toothpastes, etc, it's nice to know you don't have to squeeze it all into one!

 

[pindecisive]

What do you normally put in your carry-on bag? There are 3 of us, so we will definitely be doing 3 carry-ons.

DH has to have his CPAP machine as his carry-on. I think one bag will have a change of clothes for the 3 of us in case there is a problem with missing luggage (doubtful, but you never know) and the 3rd will contain stuff like cell phone, my son's DS, medicine, snacks, etc. (We are only traveling from PDX to SNA, but we have a change of planes and I know SW only serves up peanuts....)

And....

Medication. My son has Autism, and DH has high cholesterol. I can just bring the medicine organizers (pill boxes), right? (Sorry - we have not traveled in over 10 years and with the new guidelines this is whole travel thing is pretty new to us..) I do not need to bring the actual prescription bottles. Right?

Does it need to go in the quart bag with all of the other liquid-type stuff (for pills - I am not taking any liquid medications)? Or can I just put it loosely into the carry-on?

How about stuff like nail clippers? Plackers (the dental floss sticks)? Anything I should be aware of that is not allowed to be carried onto the airplane that I may thing would?

I am trying to only have 2 pieces of checked luggage - 3 pieces max (if we choose to bring an "empty" suitcase for goodies purchased during our trip) for our 5 night adventure.

Thanks so much!!!

I normally only carry on what I CANNOT AFFORD to lose. Ie my Teddy bear, my DL pins (which are allowed on), camera (If yours has film they tell you to check it though), wallet, medication (pills only and no you don't need the bottles), ipod/cd player and at least 40 in cash for shuttles/cabs/misc food items. I pack these all in a school-type backpack and put the empty small backpack I'll use at the park inside.

I would recommend just checking everything else including nail clippers and anything sharp. They're not large items so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Have a great time!

 

[Sunobo]

camera (If yours has film they tell you to check it though)

I always put my film camera and all film in a carry on. The xray scanner on the checked luggage can damage unexposed film and I just don't want to take the chance with film that I've already used either. Anything that has any real value goes in my carry on as well.

 

[Dobie]

For a short trip, I carry on wallet, medciation,hairbrush, travel documents,camera, gum, a paperback, and one pair of clean undies.

 

[teacups]

The flight from PDX to SNA is so short you wont need much food. Take gum and suckers as we have had the biggest ear trouble on that flight. Do you have little ones? Consider ear planes earplugs. Where are you stopping, SF? Eat there, then another fast trip to John wayne. We fly BOI directly into LAX now and rent a car so we can also do the aquarium.

Here's what I take:
Gum and suckers
earplugs
batteries for the kids games
book/pad/pen for each kid
Travel DVD player, movies and headphones
one stuffed animal and blanket for each kid
magaizine and or book (but to this day have not been able to read on a flight!)
sweat shirts or jackets
Meds and all doc info
Benadryl tabs (you never know)
1 change of clothes per person
Cough drops. Never fails I'll have a coughing fit when I shouldnt!
personal phone book, cell phone, hotel info and all that...
I dont know if I have contributed anything new to what everyone is telling you... but it's a good review for me!


I still have my bag partly packed from our October trip We go again in April... I figure if I never unpack it we can always be that much closer to going again.

 

[kylieh]

My DH's CPAP within Australia is not counted as carryon as it's a medical device, worth checking. If it does have to be part of the carry on, depending on the size & type, can you put the hoses/mask in the check in baggage and carry the machine through? My DH has a Resmed, and it's only 6"x6"x4" and doesn't weigh a lot, so he can take other stuff as well.

 

[damiel]

Along with that change of clothes and clean undies we always carry on swim suits. My DS can't wait to hit the pool and we did have our luggage delayed for 18 hours - it was a long 18 hour for him. I learned the hard way - we now carry on swim suits. Oh yea - toothbrush too.

 

[AndyLL]

I have had a suitcase partially packed - a huge one

Careful... a few years ago we bought a real nice big suitcase.

Our 1st flight were were over the weight limit and had to pay a surcharge.

I think the wight limits have gotten even lower.

Check with your airline.

Andy

 

[Sunobo]

Careful... a few years ago we bought a real nice big suitcase.

Our 1st flight were were over the weight limit and had to pay a surcharge.

I think the wight limits have gotten even lower.

Check with your airline.

Andy

There are size limits too and you have to pay extra if your bag is too big.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Thank soooo much!! I really appreciate the information.

We switch planes in SJC on the way to SNA. But there is only a half hour between the "landing" and "takeoff". So I doubt that will be enough time to grab a snack.

We leave PDX at 11:40am and arrive at SNA at 3:10.

Our plan of attack is to leave the house at 5am (we are on the coast - SEA is closer, but I prefer the smaller PDX airport and I am more familiar with the parking) and when we get to PDX eat breakfast/brunch.

Thanks for the info on the CPAP machine. I had no idea!!

Our camera is a digital. Now I am just nervous that I will forget batteries, my son's Nintendo DS, the cell phone charger, and all the small stuff that would stink to forget. (Pre-vacation paranoia???)

Our plan for the first night is possibly dinner with DH's family (they live in California, and are hoping to stop by the hotel so that we can get together for dinner....), go to the ticket pickup counter and grab our tickets, and crash at the hotel. I think it is going to be a long day.

Carryon : I think I can live without my nail clippers for the plane ride. And I can switch to normal dental floss (just in case - those handheld flossers can look downright vicious). And I think maybe I will take a few packs of fruit snacks or cheese/crackers or something - in case we get hungry.

Our main suitcase is HUGE. I checked the limits at SW and we are within 2 inches of the limit. So that should be fine.

I am sure I will have more questions soon, LOL.

Thanks again, SOOOO MUCH, for the hints and information. I am so jazzed about this trip - 10 days to go!!!

 

[mlggator]

Along with that change of clothes and clean undies we always carry on swim suits. My DS can't wait to hit the pool and we did have our luggage delayed for 18 hours - it was a long 18 hour for him. I learned the hard way - we now carry on swim suits. Oh yea - toothbrush too.

Yep, take the swimsuits and definitely the toothbrushes and deodorant. We got delayed overnight in Denver one time, and didn't have deodorant, toothbrushes, PJs or a change of clothes. Needless to say the next day at the airport, we didn't look too good. Fortunately, you will be able to buy this stuff if your luggage gets delayed, but who wants to pay Disney prices.

Michele

 

[bumbershoot]

Our camera is a digital. Now I am just nervous that I will forget batteries, my son's Nintendo DS, the cell phone charger, and all the small stuff that would stink to forget. (Pre-vacation paranoia???)

You have 10 days to go now, so it's definitely OK to start packing. If you don't think you'll be taking any pictures until then, why not get things in the bag?

Since the quart-size bag thing started, since I don't normally buy those, I've been using them for other aspects of my packing. When I went on my solo trip and ONLY brought carry-on, I had one quart bag holding my camera memory cards (SD cards can be so cheap, and I kept running into incredible deals on them, so I have so many more than I need). I had my small plastic battery case filled with freshly charged batteries (the case is important to keep the terminals from touching each other or coins). I tucked my camera into an already padded purse, which then went into the carryon.

Another bag could hold the nintendo, if it's small enough for that.

If you have any smallish plastic bins laying around, you could start putting things, as you see or think of them, in the bin. Get a list going and as you put something on the list put it in the bin.

Just anything and everything to keep yourself organized! Sounds like travel is a bit hectic for you, with your hubby's machine and maybe with your son's autism if traveling is hard for him. So you've got to get your organization-brain OUT of your head and onto paper, into bins, etc. That's what works for me, at least!


I'm not sure how familiar you are with flying, but if your experience is on the lower side, read on:

For two short flights like you'll have, the good news is that they will go fast. So you won't really need to get the books out, or whatever, to keep yourselves amused. That's my experience, at least. Long ago I developed traditions to get me through flights (my flights have usually been alone, and I sometimes get very nervous about them, so I do anything to keep myself calm), and splitting the flight up into segments, so I can "mark" the segments in my head when they are done, works. So by the time you've taxied, taken off, gotten to altitude, the seatbelt sign goes off, they take your beverage order, get it to you.....gosh you've landed in SJC already. Then there's the rush to the other flight (if it's like my Dec flight from sea to sjc to the anaheim area, the gates will be very close together), get on board, do the same and then you're there!


If you're going to bring the deoderant in the bag, make sure it's the right size. And I think it has to go in the quart bag, but I'm not sure (and didn't check the TSA page), at least I always do if I have a travel size to bring with me.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I have the larger carry-on bag measured and it is okay for carry-on.

I just packed a complete change of clothes in the above carry-on(shorts & t-shirts & underwear) just in case. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant (in the quart bag - just in case). I am sure we will have some overflow to put into it also.

I dug up the smaller "flight bag" that came with the luggage. In that I will put my purse, travel documents, money, digital camera, the quart bag o'stuff.

I started making a list so I don't forget stuff I can't quite pack yet :
Camera
Cell phone charger
Ipod & charger
Nintendo DS & charger
Batteries & charger for camera
Medicine

This is our first family vacation (besides to the Mariners games & Wild Waves - day trips) so I am not sure how it will be with our son. He is 11. At Wild Waves, he got pretty antsy waiting in line - especially for the coasters.

We will definitely be going to Guest Relations at DL to see about getting a quieter, less crowded space to wait in line (plus doing the whole fastpass thing!).

I have the whole tsa thing saved and keep hopping back to it as I am gathering stuff.

Sooo exciting! Tomorrow will be "single digits" until our trip!! We are going to be so crazy busy (we are doing 2 full days of Disney, a day of Knotts, and a day of Universal). I doubt we will get to the parks on Saturday when we arrive, but I want to at least pick up the tickets (at will-call or any ticket window according to the itinerary). I also need to pick up the Goofy's Kitchen tickets (looks like I can do that at the same time I pick up our DL passes).

I am going to be gliding for the next 10 days!

 

[winewooltravel]

I don't have a whole lot to add, but for the sake of repetition I'll continue on:

-For meds, nail clippers, toiletries and snacks-I'd put all in quart bags. They will want them pulled from your bag and put in the bin at security.
-Nail clippers are fine, and I put them in a quart bag (we just returned yesterday) with: AND THIS IS IMPORTANT: a printed copy of the TSA regs from the website. I printed them a day before my trip to AK Feb. 29, and then again the day before we left for Disneyland. (The date will be printed at the bottom of the page so it's obvious that it's recent). Then, I highlighted regs pertaining to what I had in the carry-on for easy reference. I carry knitting, nail clippers, and snacks for the kids, and I never was hassled.
-DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BRING BOTTLED JUICE, WATER, etc... thru security. You can buy it near the gates.

With a plane change I can understand wanting to bring toiletries etc. But, if you can get away with using hotel soaps and shampoos for a day if luggage is lost I'd avoid packing them in the carry-on. If you do pack them, put them in a quart plastic bag (and remember the 4 oz rule).

Wear slip-on shoes if possible. You'll have to take shoes off to get through security.

One last thing....we left SNA yesterday afternoon. We got to the airport at about 12:30 or so and security was PACKED. I overheard someone say that afternoon is usually very busy. I have no experience other than yesterday, but you may want to allow extra time if you have a flight leaving SNA in the afternoon.

It's really less stressful than it sounds-especially if you're prepared! Have a great time!!!!!

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

If there are any femals in a group between the ages of 9 and 60, unless they have had a hysterectomy, pack tampons/pads. There is something about the thrill of Disney and the stress of flight that seems to override regular schedules.

I have known of several young ladies who entered the wonderful world of menstruation on a flight. So, just something to keep in mind.

We also pack Ginger Altoids. The ginger helps keep my tummy calm, since I am prone to motion sickness. These candies are VERY intense and can be sucked on for a very long time. I get mine at Target, since most other stores in our area don't carry the ginger flavor.

I also pack a small travel play dough. It keeps the grown ups and little ones content on the flight, and I carry it in the parks for when we are waiting at sit down restaurants. It doesn't require batteries, it can be divided between multiple players, it makes no noise, and it smells like childhood.

Guilty pleasure reading is a must for flights. You won't find me reading the latest David McCullough when I fly. I wallow in my baser desires and read a Diana Gabaldon.

--Eeyore's Wife

 

[Queenbillabong]

We take our iPods, Nintendo DS and games, headsets, some Tylenol Sinus for DS because he has ear issues when we fly (learned that the HARD way!), some gum (again for the ears), and lots of magazines. For some reason, I cannot read a book when I fly, but I can flip through magazines just fine. I add my laptop (I work wherever I am and get up REALLY early, so this does not bother anyone else ), camera, all travel info, etc. that I would not want to lose or delay. DS also has to take his meds (along with needles, etc.), so we carry a medical letter for that. Never have been asked about the meds and syringes - but have been stopped for a laptop swab and check!