Jan 23, 2022

What’s in a Pilot’s Bag?

I’m aware that there are over a million instructions about packing for a trip available online. However, let me pose a question to you: how many are authored by someone on the fly 90% of the time?

As a pilot who travels primarily by suitcase, I must prepare enough for each trip. I’ve honed my packing skills over time and now only bring the essentials. After much trial and error, I believe I’ve finally nailed down the ultimate packing strategy. I rarely feel like I brought too much or have stuff left over when I get home.

For job and business, I’ve taken hundreds of travels ranging from three or four-day trips. All packing is typically done like a checklist, and once you do it often enough, it’s routine. 

So, What Exactly Do You Pack?

I’ve honed my multitasking skills throughout the years. There are numerous ways to pack efficiently rather than haphazardly. Traveling has never been simpler because of all of the creative thinking and technological advancements. Many items these days are more versatile, lighter, and take up less space in your baggage. Minimizing your luggage makes traveling much more manageable.

Have you ever thought about how many times you bring things on vacation that you never use? Some items must be brought along “just in case,” while others result from a lack of preparation. Thus, this guide was created. What to bring and what not to get is outlined below.

For Your Next Trip, Here Are Some Suggestions To Keep in Mind to Make Your Luggage Lighter and More Enjoyable to Carry:

1. Make a List of Everything You’ll Need to Bring.

If it’s your first time packing for a particular trip/overnight, make a list of everything you need. After a few trips, you won’t need one since you’ll know what to pack and what you don’t. You plan your wardrobe based on the number of days and nights you plan on being at work. 

The Renaissance in Palm Springs, for example, is downtown, with walking access to a movie theater, a brunch place, and a 15-minute walk from a trailhead, so I packed my hiking gear since we had a 17-hour layover. I went hiking on the morning of the 19th and hung out by the pool there.

2. Putting The Suitcase Together

When packing and while staying in different hotels, I prefer to keep an eye on my luggage. For example, out of Phoenix, AZ, where it’s warm year-round, there’s no need to pack a jacket. But in the winter, you usually go to places that have snow. So my uniform typically includes a black sweater with the pilot stripes on the shoulders. 

Tip: you ALWAYS pack a swimsuit just in case there’s a pool. Usually, there’s a heated indoor pool or spa in the hotels the crew stays in.

3. Make Sure You Have Your Essential Three on Hand.

When it comes to packing, there’s always going to be something that you forget. If you need to replace any of these down the line, it might be a pain. These items are part of your “basic 3 necessities,” so defining what they are for you will make it less likely that you’ll forget about them. These are my thoughts on the matter.

Personal Hygiene

Your prescription medications, deodorant, toothpaste, and a travel hairbrush all fit in one little bag (better than a comb, one of those fold and pop-out types with a mirror set in the handle). If you must bring make-up, stick to the bare essentials. Have a zip-top plastic bag with a sealable top in your toiletries bag for airport security liquid limitations. To save space, I don’t bring any towels, because all hotels have them.

Spare Undies and Socks, or a way to clean them.

Be sure to include an extra pair of socks and underwear, or perhaps two if you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time. However, I also bring some loose change (in the US, quarters always work) and some Tide pods because nearly every hotel will have washing machines and dryers. If you don’t have quarters, the hotel staff will make changes for you.

Mobile Phone with its USB Charging Cable.

When I travel, I’m constantly surprised by how useful a smartphone is—having your phone will come in handy for several reasons, such as receiving immediate assistance if you misplace your wallet or locating your lodging at 3 am in the middle of nowhere. Pack a USB charging cable to keep it charged while you’re on the go instead of bringing a power converter. USB outlets are almost everywhere.

4. Food and Water

When I travel, I usually don’t carry much food or drink other than water. Whether I’m a passenger or a pilot, the dry, thin air causes me to become dehydrated, so I make a point of drinking water as soon as possible throughout the flight. Before drinking coffee or tea on a lengthy journey, I’ll stick to water or other soft beverages for the first several hours. 

On long flights, I’ve learned that drinking coffee too early simply serves to exacerbate the effects of dehydration. At the very least, that’s how it seems to me.

For example, The Drury Inn has dinner and breakfast, so I didn’t pack as much food. Flagstaff also has excellent hiking, and the hotel is next to a grocery store, so I went shopping there for fresh food because I know that the Yuma hotel at Homewood suites has a kitchen. So when we got to our hotel at 8 pm, I cooked dinner there (burritos!)

5. Other Essentials

So the very bare minimum I pack for the trip is four white undershirts, one extra white uniform shirt (in case I spill something on the one I’m wearing), workout shorts, hiking shoes, one swimsuit, toiletry bag, five underwear, four dress socks, two pairs workout socks, one nice non-uniform shirt, one pair of jeans. So that, if the crew wants to go out to dinner, you have at least 1 set of clothes that aren’t part of your uniform (especially if you’re going to drink alcohol!). Also, remember to bring grocery bags with you to avoid plastic waste.

Airline people usually have one roller bag, a flight bag, and an insulated food bag. 

6. If everything else fails

Shop! If you forget anything while traveling, most places have shops where you may pick up a replacement. Towels, toothpaste, and other necessities are usually available in hotel lobby areas for guests’ use if they so want.

Run Through

These ideas should undoubtedly aid you on the path to pack like a pilot and make you a suitcase-packing master. If you have any further suggestions, please let me know. Above all, I wish you a stress-free journey on your future adventure. Experiencing the freedom that comes with travel should be the goal.