Doug,
My travel is about as frequent as yours, but I won't check bags under most circumstances.
Usually not much choice as I often need multiple outfits for different "missions" or stay multiple days. But, whatever works. A friend refuses to check and he usually looks it. He thinks it doesn't matter, but presentation does, especially when trying to be persuasive or meeting with higher ups.
My kit was similar but here's some changes I made in 2010:
All of these:
- Computer (duh!) w/ charger
- Verizon Air Card
- Spare battery for Computer
- Web-cam
- Mouse
Were replaced with a netbook computer (sometimes a Dell Mini 9, sometimes an Asus something or other. The itnegrated web cam is nice, and they have integral 3G broadband.
I just did a trip with only an iPad, it's close - VERY close to able to replace the netbook, but I really want the camera, when I replace my first generation 3G iPad next year with the one with the camera, I'll totally ditch the netbook.
I have looked at netbook options. If all I needed to do was basic email and wordsmithing would work, but they don't have enough computing power in my experience. Often doing image work, powerpoints and the like. My ultralight Toughbook weighs just 3 lb and does it all and stands up to all my abuse. Next year it'll be 5 years and time to get a new one which will have wireless built in and even longer battery life, so can drop the battery.
Just not going over to Apple for computing, too much pain.
As far as these items:
- Phone Charger
I carry THREE charger cables!
- MP3 player and Noise Canceling earbuds
You carry a crackberry? It plays music. I use an iPhone, but it also deletes the separate MP3 player.
Three paperback books
I stick to the Skymall catalog...hey look! A life-size fiberglass Yeti! Who doesn't need that?
Digital Camera
iPhone!
My ancient Crackberry barely serves as a phone and email platform. <~> Once I see what Verizon does with the iPhone next year, I'll make a decision as to iPhone or Android phone.
Mini-Mate Ionic Air Supply (especially useful when the guy next to you is a heavy smoker and smells like it, or hasn't taken a shower in a week)
Cool gizmo!
One of best investment in my mental health I ever made! I was skeptical that it would work, but it does.
Aseptic Packed Tuna (folding spork and paper towels all in ZipLock bag),
Wait, wait - this goes in your bags and they don't freak out? It looks like a package of platique on Xray.
Apparently not. <shrug>
1 Bottle Water (picked up past security)
I carry my water bottle through empty. I just can't pay $4.00 for a bottle.
Can't stomach the taste of the water at many places. Cost of doing business. <shrug>
Carry On:
I have about the same setup, maybe a little more because I don't check bags, but I've recently added a vac-packed blanket and pillow, as they don't offer them in flight most times now.
Yeah, should have mentioned I carry a Thermarest inflatable lumbar support and seat cushion always and on long trips on Southwest I carry a neck support pillow. Flying Continental is not needed since they have the adjustable headrests. 90%of my flying is on Southwest or Continental. Not looking forward to what I view as the destruction of Continental customer service with the merger with United, which I despise.
At this point flying is like backpacking, only harder. I can't tell you how much I despise it, and how often I wish I could take a train and rely on being there even close to on-time. But the
Northeast Regional is late 25% of the time and the trip to Chicago via the
Cardinal/Hoosier line is a dismal 40% of the time it's late.
And not just a little late.
"Despise" is a good word for it. Every opportunity or need must be balanced with the pain of flying and sometimes the pain wins out and I just say the hell with it.
Train not an option for me in any case. Only time I take a train is if I fly into New York via Newark or my flights to DC via BWI. Then the train connects me with the city transportation services.
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