Trip Planning and Packing Your Suitcase - What do you take? Do you have a Check List?

[Marc]

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?

[Al Dyer]

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

[Wes Bucey]

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.

[Greg B]

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

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

Is this a Quality thing?????

[Marc]

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

[Wes Bucey]

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."

[Claes Gefvenberg]

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

[QChas]

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