I love traveling by air. It seems more like an adventure to me, and gets me there so much faster than driving. Since I discovered that there is wheelchair assistance at airports, I am even more happy to be traveling in the sky. The last trip I made was to Colorado to visit my daughter. While I was getting ready to go, I took the time to make myself a new tote bag that was big enough to hold all the things I would need to have with me at all times while I was traveling. Here is a list of the things I consider essential to carry on the flight with me.
Medications
At the top of my list is medications, both prescription and over the counter. I always pack these in my carry on bag so that I will have them even if the airline looses my checked luggage. I use a nice Monday thru Sunday pill box and put all my medications for each day in it. It is very handy and takes up less space than all the prescription bottles. Because I have diabetes, I have to also carry a glucose meter, insulin, and syringes. Those are packed in my tote bag, too. Last is a bottle of glucose tablets for those times when my blood sugar drops.
Toiletries
Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, moisturizer, lip balm, and a bar of soap. You can either buy a set of three ounce bottles and fill them with your own shampoo and conditioner, or buy travel size bottles of them. You aren’t allowed to take bigger bottles of any liquids due to TSA rules. Put them all in a cute toiletry bag, and pack it in your carry on bag.
Travel Related Items
If you are traveling out of the country, you will need to have your passport. Tickets, train schedules, a Fodor’s book about the place you are visiting, a map of the city. All of these need to be packed into your carry on tote so you will have easy access to them when you need them. Make sure the tote bag you decide to take has plenty of pockets for things like this.
Snacks
I try to take a few snacks with me, especially if the flight will be a long one. Things that travel well are packs of peanut butter crackers, nuts, sunflower seeds, and oatmeal cookies. Take an empty water bottle with you, and fill it after you get through security. Apples and bananas travel well, as do grapes if they are packed in a small plastic container. I know this sounds like a lot for a three hour trip, but sometimes there are delays. Airport food is expensive, so you’ll be glad you packed those snacks. Oh! you might also want to pack some gum for those take offs and landings.
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