When you plan a trip - either vacation or business, how do you pack?

How do you do your planing?
How big is your suitcase?
Do you use a check list?
What items do you take?
Do you take a 'garment bag' (for 'hang-up clothes)?
How many bags do you take?

How do you do your planing?
I do my own planning through the internet and a group of collegues.

How big is your suitcase?
Carry-on mostly. I take a bag if I need a suit.

Do you use a check list?
Always, with my memory it's essential.

What items do you take?
Cloths for meetings, cloths for the shop, and a bathing suit just in case. I travel as light as possible and use the hotels freebees such as toiletries when available. I must also have a couple hundred bars of soap for the house.

Do you take a 'garment bag' (for 'hang-up clothes)?
When i need a suit.

How many bags do you take?
1

I have different lists for different destinations and length of stay.

If it is just a speech or something (arrive am one day leave after lunch next day), I usually pack two suits and one tuxedo plus travel in casual clothes.

Normal itinerary on such an occasion is lunch with host (suit), dinner and speech meeting (suit or tuxedo - in case the occasion is dressier than I've been told.)
Breakfast the next morning with one or two folks I met the night before (casual or suit depending on circumstance.) Lunch before return flight - usually by myself.

In addition to the suits (shirts, underwear, handkerchiefs, ties, etc.) I have a Dopp bag and electric razor plus a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to help me sleep.

Clothes go in garment bag and CPAP never leaves my possession, carried in a medium sized attache case.

Extended stay (week to a month) - two bags - more casual clothes and underwear. I take advantage of hotel cleaning service when necessary.

Visit the grandchildren - no suits, lots of books, toys, and magic tricks.

I travel at least once a month with my Logistics role as liason to our bulk cargo ships and the Port authority and stevedores.

I have a separate toiletries bag (I restock each time I return home). It has all of the basic personal husbandry items (shampoo, Razors etc) plus:

Headache tablets
Band aids
Scissors/Nail clippers
Spare buttons and thread
Visene (gets the red out of eyes caused by airconditioning etc :lmao:

I use the same bag (Ithas a list inside with what is needed.) The bag is a universal bag (like a large dufel bag) that can be carried on the shoulder, by the handles, or by the pull out handle and wheels. It has many side pockets and these are usually allocated the same items each time.

Phone, Camera, Radio, PDA chargers
Novels

I have certain work and safety gear (clothing) that is maintained in the bag at all times, in case I have to leave in a hurry.
I also carry a backpack and it contains

Documentation for shipping,
Camera,
PDA,
Safety Glasses,
Gloves,
Diary,
Notebooks,Tape,Marker pens,Stapler etc

I am lucky, in that I always stay at the same Motel. It has secure parking, is close to Port and the rooms are self contained (Kitchenette etc) but it also has a fine restaurant, bar and room service. I go to the same place at least once a month for about five days. It is like a second home.
I could not go anywhere without a list. I also have a list for my camping and fishing trips. They are laminated and are maintained in my camping box. My toolboard is a shadow board so I know what tools are missing and where everything is maintained. I have a database for my CDs and DVDs. I think I need therapy :biglaugh:

Is this a Quality thing?????

Anyone with lists they would like to 'donate' via an attachment or within a post, the list(s) would be appreciated!

I guess the "list" depends on where you go, what you intend to do, and how long you'll stay.

If you think of it like any "problem solving" you start with a broad outline and add details:
A) Clothing

business
recreation
B) Gear

business
recreation
C) Toiletries

D) Personal pleasure (books, CDs, crosswords, email/web browser, etc.)

Be sure to cover "what could go wrong (FMEA)" and have a backup plan. Back in the early 90's, one of my colleagues had his suitcase with all his clothing stolen from the baggage claim area. I don't think he worked up a sweat. Within two hours the hotel concierge had him in a new suit, altered to fit and he made an important presentation on time.

Similarly, if I traveled with a laptop with stuff I needed to do business, I'd make sure I had a backup on one or more "thumb drives" in case the computer broke or was stolen, plus have a backup at home so someone could send me what I need by internet.

Lawyers and road warriors have the same motto - "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

How do you do your planing? That depends on where and why I'm going, but I tend to be quite methodical, but often somewhat late about it.

How big is your suitcase? I pick one that is no bigger than it has to be.

Do you use a check list? Yep, that I do (Wallet, keys & tickets - If you have those, you can handle most situations).

What items do you take? As little as possible. I'm supposed to do the travelling, not my gear. Sometimes I even resort to buying things on arrival rather than bringing them.

Do you take a 'garment bag' (for 'hang-up clothes)? Only if I have to. If you use one of those hard plastic cases they will keep properly packed clothes in good condition.

How many bags do you take? Rarely more than one.

Final note: I've had bags disappear too, but things have always worked out quite well.

/Claes

Checklist
1) Wife decides where we are going
2) I pay
3) We enjoy

How do you do your planning? How do I plan my packing? I figure out what clothing styles I need - i.e., is this for work or pleasure? hot or cold destination? formal or informal?...then I go through my morning routine in my head and pack accordingly. It's like this: I get up and have a shower (towel if required, shampoo, conditioner, soap), then I get dressed (undergarments and socks, shirts, pants/skirts) and do my face/skin (makeup, cream, deodorant) and hair (spray, straightening cream, dryer, clips, brushes), then I pick shoes (uh...shoes) and then I leave (coat, if required). Multiply undergarments and socks by number of days - pack outfits accordingly.

How big is your suitcase? only have one - in that size that is touch-and-go for carry-on. It's deep red. I love it.

Do you use a check list? Nope. Keys, wallet, phone, and passport if required. That's standard for pretty much everywhere I go, though (passport excepted).

What items do you take? Clothes, personal care items - my discman if I'm flying - usually a book or two. I hate travelling with a laptop and avoid it wherever possible - it's such a hassle through security checkpoints.

Do you take a 'garment bag' (for 'hang-up clothes)? yeah right - I don't generally have anything nice enough to warrant it! Work is very casual - it's all fold'n'grab.

How many bags do you take? Suitcase, purse and one more bag (work bag if it's for work; backpack if it's for pleasure).

That's all she wrote...

my Hydrofloss! Well, maybe one night, but not two.

Good thread.

When you plan a trip - either vacation or business, how do you pack?

Do you use a check list?

I've learned to staple or sticky-note my checklist on top of a manila folder that I use to carry all the paperwork I need when traveling. Among the paperwork items I always carry with me are:
airline tickets (e-tickets or paper tickets)
car rental reservation number
hotel reservation number
directions to facility I will visit
directions to "sightseeing" facilities
empty legal size envelope for expense report receipts


Jaime

My planning for business trips is usually restricted to about 15 minutes (Ron, 'they' just called, and you need to be there for 7 a.m. tomorrow morning) (the preceding coming at about 4 in the afternoon, just before an 8 hour drive)

My bag is pretty much always packed with 2 changes of (business) pants and shirts, 4 changes of underwear and socks, jeans and 2 casual shirts, and my shaving kit. Anything else I need I can buy on the way, or once I arrive.

If/when I fly (not too frequently), I add several novels, and possibly a discman.

Whenever possible, I make my luggage carryon....too many times I've lost luggage to airlines, trains, and once to Greyhound.

I pack and travel weekly and what I take depends upon what lays ahead.

If I'm auditing (which isn't that often) I'll have my computer bag which will essentially be a mini "Best Buy" of stuff to work and communicate with to include a printer, and I'll have a carry-on with my "stuff". I'll have some office stuff like a small stapler, paper for the printer and a spare cartridge or 2, an assortment of pens and pencils, tape odds and ends.

If I'm training many times I need to have my multi-media projector and my personal stuff will go into the belly (so far I've been pretty lucky and things arrive with me). Neither my projector nor my computer get out of my reach and go into baggage. Of course my computer bag with the above stuff will be with me (2 carry-on's allowed you know)

I pack the required changes of understuff for the # of days +1 additional set for my stay. All my draw's and T's are divided into sets and then seperately packed in large zip-locks to keep them neat and easy to get to every day. I'll also have a fresh shirt for each day, a comfortable lounging shirt and shorts or sweats for in the room or walking around the hotel and 2-3 pairs of slacks for work wear. Regardless of season I also bring a light jacket and my bumbershoot (umbrella).

Packed in my suitcase (for training dates) I'll have my manuals, copies of standards (many times multiple sets) a 12' extension cord equipped with a grounding plug and a surge protector, a spare bulb for my projector and a zip lock with an assortment of dry markers, clear packing tape, tacks and other small items useful when training.

Seldom do I pack a book or other entertainment items, I just don't have time to do much other than catch my breath after 8-11 hours of training.

That ought to be pretty much it.

Hi

I travel mostly within India, Asia Pacific (China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan) and occasionally to Europe and the USA.

My list includes:

1. Passport (with the required Visa), currency (preferably the local currency + a few hundred US $ for local taxi and other expenses), air tickets + Medical Insurance papers - especially for international travel + Credit cards (more than one international Visa/American Express) + Hotel reservation details + Addresses (including contact details) of plants/organizations to visit + List of appointments

2. Lap top including accessories with all the discussion / presentation materials + a digital camera + back-up battery + back-up materials for the presentations in CD + memory stick + international electrical plug adaptor (flat to round, two pin to three pin etc.) + RSA securID (for dial-in connection) + a few writing pads + Pens

3. A sweater + travel neck-pillow (airpillow) (very useful to avoid neck pain during long air travel)

4. The size of the suitcase differs based on the number of days travel; for one or two days travel, I use a small case which can be carried as a hand luggage; for more than two days I use a suit-case (hard).

5. Items to carry: Tooth paste, Tooth brush, Shaving set (preferably electric Philips Shaver), bath soap, hair-cream, comb, under-wear sets (number equal to the number of days of tour + 2), Pants+Shirts (number equal to the number of days of tour + 2) + Blazers (at least two) + Ties (at least one for each day of business meeetings) + Tea shirts (number equal to half the number of days of tour) + night dress (number equal to half the number of days of tour) + Socks (number equal to number of days of tour + 2) + a pair of slippers (if necessary) + Shoe polish + travel iron + travel alarm clock (keep the battery out while on air-travel) + Cell phone charger + a pair of scissors + a foldable knife (the last two always in the checked in luggage) + laundry bag + a plastic bag + a strip of Crocin + ten band-aid strips

6. Even with the best preparaton something may go wrong..so I keep a list of important contact numbers (international, country of visit and home and a few personal numbers - in case something happens on a Saturday or a Sunday) separately (this came in handy when I was robbed of my tickets, passport, money and travellers cheques etc., at the Amsterdam airport on a Sunday)

7. Photocopy of the passport + visa + tickets - to be kept at a location which can be accessed in case of emergency (say with a friend or office)

Before starting on the tour confirm hotel booking, local travel arrangements at the destination and airport formalities (onward and return).

Hope the above covers most of the things to do before starting on a tour.

With best wishes,

Ramakrishnan

Invariably I cannot fall asleep easily the first two nights in a hotel even after exercising, so I carry melatonin (3 mg).

I wear loafers on plane trips so I can easily slip them off and on.

Computer files are carried in two media - CDs and flash memory.

All information re: flights, reservations, contacts, plus information and random thoughts about the trip I record in a Moleskine ruled notebook. The Moleskine has a small memo pocket in back that is perfect for business cards.

I carry a Lands' End canvas Square Rigger tote bag that is 20 years old.

I just made reservations today for NCSLI in D.C. this August.....conference rates are $150+ per night.....I used Priceline.....got a high end foo-foo hotel for $75 per night.....

Anyone besides me used Priceline or similar?

Hershal

I'm a rare breed these days - someone who doesn't travel very often, especially abroad.

I do always use a checklist. I can't imagine the benefit of NOT doing so.

When choosing which items to take, an FMEA type approach is best. How likely is it that I will need that item? What are the potential consequences if I don't take it? What controls are in place if the situation arises (e.g. is it an item I can purchase easily if I need it).

The only other tip I could give is to save space/weight by minimising the size of as many individual items as possible - buy the smallest size of toiletry items etc. I have also traded up from a CD Walkman to a minidisk player (smaller), and take paperback books instead of hardbacks. In terms of clothes, I try to take items that can "double-up" - e.g. trousers smart enough for a meeting, but which could also be worn casually.

:topic: Travelling with one bag instead of two is especially wise when I do have to fly abroad, given the baggage-handling performance of the airline I have to use most of the time.

This particular airline (name withheld) has now taken the process of losing your bag to a new level. You are so likely to lose your luggage on a typical return trip between Amsterdam and the UK, that the airline happily hands out the relevant forms in-flight so you can fill them in before you even know if anything has been lost. They have a full-time courier service that drives around South Wales every day delivering the bags that have turned up from the previous day. Some of my “frequent flyer” friends are on first-name terms with the airport lost baggage staff.

I think it’s fascinating (and sometimes frightening) that some companies still accept a certain level of failure and concentrate all their “customer service” budget on correcting mistakes, rather than addressing the root causes. It seems we are a long way from eliminating “inspection culture”.

On the subject of customer service, I’m reminded of the regional bus company in the UK a few years ago defending their shoddy timekeeping – “our buses are running late because they have to keep stopping to pick up passengers”.

Absolutely true (well, you couldn’t make it up).