Very good point! I believe you need to blend with the rest of the passengers, and not over-prepare, as a passenger, for commercial flights.

(De-lurk.)

Smoke escape hoods:

I've flown with my EVAC+ hood several times, including one return trip to the US, with no problems. It says "no compressed gasses" and "safe for air transport" on the container.

In fact, other than a smile from a Portugese security guard, I've never even had a member of airport/airline staff acknowledge its existence. My theory is that they don't want to have a discussion about fires on aircraft in front of other passengers.

Flashlights:

I've flown with my Streamlight TL-3 and Pila G3 with no problems. A co-worker has told of being questioned about a larger Mag-lite, but was allowed through with it (it was still in the packaging.)

Cutting things:

Apparently we're now allowed round-tipped nail scissors (blade length no more than 3cm). Accordingly, I've bought a pair of Fiskars straight manicure scissors (#9806033). They go through paracord easily enough, and I'm guessing they'll work on clothing too. It's better than nothing!

I haven't flown with these yet. Any other suggestions for airline-friendly cutting tools?

eeph, welcome from the shadows. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well, glad to hear that recent security screeners aren't taking away or ruining our smoke hoods these days. Same with my limited recent experience, so either the screeners are: too fixated looking for tweezers and nail clippers, have been trained to recognize that smoke hoods are OK, or should've inspected them per their protocols but didn't. Option 2 would be great, but maybe options 1 and 3 are more likely, and troubling.

If I put a sticker saying, "Safe for air transport" on my shoes, do you think they'd let me keep them on at the security checkpoint? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks to all for your input. I also gleaned a few nuggets from the older thread on this topic.

Here is my initial travel PSK: (Subject to revision based on logic or whim)

For inside the plane and airport layovers, my carry on will be minimal. I will include a small PSK in my checked bag for the ground portion of my vacation.

Dress: I will be practicing the art of Urban Camouflage (UC) during the entire vacation. Blend in, disappear, “nothing to see here folks, go on about your business”. I will be doing my best Eddie Bauer impersonation during the flight. At the termination of the flight I will make necessary wardrobe changes to mix with the natives.

My carry on will be a day pack by “Lewis N Clark” (LNC) from their bicentennial collection. Stylish, but non-commando. I really like the size of this pack. So many of the quality day packs have an 1800+ cu in capacity. Too large for knocking about without looking like a back packer or terrorist. I tried some of the faddish shoulder packs. I didn’t like the “too small” size (can’t carry an 8.5”x11” note pad) and I didn’t find them to be very comfortable. The pack I selected has a capacity around 1000-1200 cu in with adjustable nylon straps to adapt the size of the pack to the load. Especially important is the ability to hold a large “Polar” bicycle water bottle externally for quick access. The Polar bottle has built-in insulation, and per my own tests keeps ice in the bottle twice as long as standard water bottles. The LNC pack works well for me.

My carry on kit will be simple, minimal, and non-threatening. After waiting in long lines before having to remove my belt and shoes, I’d not likely receive the Mr. Congeniality award. If I get felt up by TSA stooges or they ponder checking my prostate for detonators, the outing will go poorly for all parties involved (I embarrass my wife and family enough without the threat of arrest). Best to just avoid confrontation.

*CARRY ON KIT*

WALLET:
-Credit card
-Insurance cards (auto and medical)
-Cash
-ATM card
-$20 emergency cash stashed in hidden pocket
-Pre paid calling cards from ATT, Sprint, and MCI (improves my odds of reaching out to touch someone).
-Drivers license
-Emergency phone list. Includes e-mail passwords (encrypted) to allow accessing e-mail on the road.
-Two sheets of waterproof notepad paper.

POCKETS:
-Quality ball point pen (I like the Fisher space pen, but lose these things too easy)
-Pocket Kleenex
-small note pad
-more cash (keep the dough in multiple baskets)
-Fenix L1P AA LED flashlight

CARRY ON PACK:
-Small FAK, no sharps
-quality ball point pen
-med point sharpie marker
-Folding N95 masks
-spare credit card (different bank and type. Visa vs. MasterCard). I’ve been to places that only accepted one type of card. Also allows for quick backup if the primary card is lost.
-More cash, small bills. Maybe a roll of quarters for vending or phone use.
-cell phone and charger
-Cyclops xenon pocket flashlight
-Marbles brass mini compass on lanyard
-local maps
-tickets/reservation info
-MP3 player (anti boredom technology)
-good book
-playing cards
- AM/FM/TV/Weather radio AAA batts. (Passive intelligence gathering)
-Digital camera (don’t trust the baggage handlers).
-Pre packaged bottled water (the TSA used to frown on bringing my own water bottle)
-Food, snacks, munchies, goodies, and various delectables.
-personal medications.

*CHECKED BAG PSK*

PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT in small tan Maxpedtion bag

NAVIGATION
-BASE PLATE COMPASS
-LOCAL MAPS

COMMUNICATION
-FISHER MINI SPACE PEN
-WATERPROOF NOTE PAD
-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
-AM/FM/TV RADIO (SAME AS ABOVE)

TOOLS
-AL MAR ULTRALIGHT FALCON
-SAS SURVIVAL MANUAL
-SEWING KIT
-HEAVY DUTY THREAD
-HEAVY DUTY NEEDLE
-BUTTONS
-RUBBER BANDS
-SAFETY PINS
-25 FT NYLON CORD
-DUCT TAPE
-ELECTRICAL TAPE
-TIEWRAPS (4)LARGE,
(4)MEDIUM,(10)SMALL
-THUMB TACKS
-MINI HACK SAW (cut down hack saw blade with paracord handle)
LIGHT
-GERBER ULTRA INFINITY LED FLASHLIGHT
-AA LITHIUM BATTERIES
-AAA LITHIUM BATTERIES

HEAT
-BUTANE LIGHTER (NIXED FOR THIS TRIP)
-MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER (NIXED FOR THIS TRIP)

SIGNALING
-SIGNAL MIRROR
-FLOURESENT SURVEYERS TAPE
-WHISTLE ACME/ORION “TORNADO”

I may add the following belt pack FAK to the checked baggage:

PAIN-
NUPRIN
TYLENOL
ASPRIN
STING EZE
STING WIPES (3)

CLEANING-
WOUND WIPES (6)
EYE DROPS

OINTMENT/LOTION-
A&D OINTMENT
NEOSPORIN (4)
CORTAID
HAND LOTION
BLISTEX
SUNSCREEN SPF30
CUTTER 33%

TOOLS-
TWEEZERS
NEEDLE/SEWING KIT
SAFETY PINS
PENCIL/PEN
FISHER PEN
WATERPROOF PAPER
ACCIDENT REPORT
WILDERNESS FIRST-AID MANUAL
BUTANE LIGHTER (purchase at destination end)

BANDAGES-
BAND-AIDS
ELBOW/KNEE BANDAGE
STERI-STRIPS
BUTTERFLY BANDAGES
MOLE SKIN-BLISTERS
ACE BANDAGE
(4) LG BANDAIDS
(2) STERI-WIPES
(5) BUTTER FLY BANDAIDS

For checked bags, locks are pretty much pointless. The potential thieves will cut the locks or have keys if using TSA friendly locks. My checked bag is typical black nylon that looks similar to a million other bags. At the baggage carousel it is just different enough that it will not be confused with someone else’s bag. I still like to do some basic securing to prevent accidental opening or discourage an opportunistic quikee look-see. I use black nylon tie-wraps to secure the zippers. The colored tie-wraps call too much attention to the bag. Rather than buying expensive serial numbered tie-wraps, I just use a sharpie to make a mark on the tie-wrap. The mark will go unnoticed at casual glance, but if my tie-wraps are cut and replaced, I will know it before I leave the airport. The biggest problem is cutting the wraps at the destination. My knife is inside this checked bag. Knives aren’t the best cutter for nylon tie-wraps anyway (just ask my thumb last Christmas Day). I have been using a small set of nippy cutter in an unsecured compartment of the bag (usually stuffed full of underwear and socks). I am intrigued by the use of split rings to secure the zipper. It slows down anyone without cutting tools and doesn’t require tools on my part when I get my bags back. No solution is good, but it kills me to buy a lock with master keys in the possession of my friendly neighborhood Fed.

TR

True enough. However, as a tall, thin geeky lad with glasses, I don't look very threatening, especially at 130 pounds. I find people believe what I tell them. I'd say I was a boyscout when I was young and their motto is "Be prepared." It always works. Maybe I have an honest face. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

I'm currently on a bit of a "world tour" (Amsterdam, Cyprus, London and New York City) and have a suggestion or 2.

1. Water. Plenty of clean water. I carry a liter in my carry-on.

2. Purel or similar hand sanitizer. Wash your hands constantly.

3. A small towel for your lap so the coffee lands on the towel, not your last pair of clean trousers. It makes a fine littl epillow for your head on the plane and at the airport. Douglas Adams had it right - always bring a towel.

4. Tiny "bud" style headphones. Two jobs - ear plugs to keep the noise down and you can listen to the movie if you want.

5. Food - some snacks other than the wet, too-hot or too-cold crap. I carry beef jerkey, granola and dried fruit leather.

6. Anti-Diarreah medicine. You can safely DOUBLE the dose of Immodium-AD products when you really need it. Trust me on that.

What you're putting together is an ASK (Airport Survival KIt). A plane has all the tools and equipment you'll ever need in the air. It's the darn aorports that are horrid.

see also http://www.focazio.com/equipped/air/air.html