Veronica Lane Photography » Veronica on the go! Try to keep up!

I do a fair bit of traveling… now. It wasn’t always like this!
Just 3.5 years ago I took my first flight ever which happened to be from Detroit, Michigan to Phoenix, Arizona. I had nothing to compare it too, but it seemed like the longest flight ever! I really wasn’t sure what to expect! I had heard people complaining about airplane food before (which I was secretly excited about! If someone else is going to make me dinner… bring it on! Turns out they were right!). I quickly found out that they only serve food on LONG flights. How could this NOT be a long flight! 4 hours without feeding me! I was basically a starving hostage!

My next flight was an overnight flight to London, England. I came ‘fully’ prepared this time! I ate the biggest meal possible.. just in case! This time, they wouldn’t stop feeding you long enough to let you sleep! The lights kept coming on… the announcements came on every other hour… the guy next to me wouldn’t turn off his reading light… and to top it off, I was so cold!

I have had pretty good luck with my flights and seat mates. There have been a few cancellations and lost luggages but I have learned how to make it through all of that by remembering to bring all of my travel essentials with me in my carry-on luggage! I do realize that some people (like Max) don’t travel with anything but a carry-on, while others prefer not to have to worry about overhead space on the plane.

So, here it is… my travel secrets!

I always check luggage. I pack and over pack but never seem to pack the right things somehow… so my suitcase is pretty heavy and I don’t like to carry it around the airport with me. Also, I have way too many liquids and gels and aerosols that I’m just not willing to part with on my trips! My first tip on what NOT to pack in your checked luggage is your car keys, especially on your way home! If your luggage doesn’t arrive on the other side… you are pretty much screwed! This didn’t actually occur to me until after I got my purse stolen a couple months ago while in London. My car keys were in my purse, which brought on some very tense moments trying to figure out how to get my car out of the QuikPark at the airport (which happened to be in the US, not in Canada where I am from!). Thankfully, the QuikPark people could recommend a locksmith that they trusted to have keys made and ready for me at the gate when I returned to the USA. Phew! They told me that people pack their keys in their luggage all the time to keep them safe while traveling, but forget to take them out before checking luggage! If the luggage never arrives, neither do your keys! My Tip… put your keys in your luggage when you arrive at your destination.. but carry them on the plane with you!
This same thing can apply to your phone charger! You don’t want to be caught on the other end without your luggage, keys and a dead phone battery!

As I mentioned above, I found myself very cold on my flight to London. This seems to be the usual case for me on planes! One of my most fav things to have on a flight with me is a pashmina. It comes in handy in so many occasions!
It works as a blanket, a pillow, a cushion along the armrest in the case that you like to cram yourself into funny sleeping positions, as I do! I also use it as a protector for my camera when I day trip stash my camera in my purse if I don’t want to carry my camera case with me. I thought I was the only one in the world that would do such a thing, but I did just read somewhere that Jasmine Star does the same thing.. so I guess I can say out loud that I do it too! Just becareful that your purse doesn’t get stolen!

I travel to rainy London quite a bit now too. My pashmina has helped me keep my hair dry in pinch as well! All this, and of course, it does help keep you fashionable! Dress up any dull outfit with a great pashmina in the case that you are feeling a little underdressed! Layering also helps hide travel bloat!

I have added a bottle of water onto my fav travel essentials as well. Yes, they serve water on the plane so why would you want to carry a whole bottle with you? Because… it comes with a cap! The water that they serve you on a plane is in a cup… so if you don’t want to drink it all at that moment, you are stuck with it. I personally like to tuck my knees up with my feet just barely touching the aim rest of the chair in front of me. I can only do this if I have a window seat of course! This is the ONLY way I can sleep on a plane… which, you can’t do if you have a cup of water to babysit! So, cap the water bottle and sleep away! If you want your water cold.. just ask for a cup of ice!

I am a girl that is all about wearing easy on and off shoes to the airport. This is especially helpful when zipping through airport security! The only problem with this is that I hate being barefoot on planes… I get cold! I said this already.. you get it! Socks are a travel essential for my long flights especially when I tuck my feet on the edge of the arm rest infront of me! It would be pretty nasty to have my feet up in all places without socks on! I have seen people walk around planes in their socks… even into the lavatories! YUCK! I don’t recommend that!

My iPad is always an essential as it holds so much entertainment in one tiny package! Delta flights are starting of offer WIFI on certain flights, although GOGO will charge you a minimum fee of $12-$14USD per flight. If you are like me and have seen every film on the monitor in front of you, or you get stuck with films that you now have to pay for (ahem.. thanks Delta!), having an iPad close by is a saving grace… especially when traveling with kids! And, if they are kids that steal your iPad from you… bring a book too!

Hopefully these tips will help you on your next flight. These items aren’t very big and most usually fit in a small bag that I can tuck under my seat for convenience. I am sure I could come up with 50 more travel tips and one day I will add some more to this list I’m sure!

If you have any tips that you would like to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments field below!

a. Pashmina – A million and one uses! From fashion item to blanket to camera protector!
b. Noise cancelling headphones – Bose are expensive but worth the money. I currently use Sony but have had the luxury of testing out Bose. Drowns out crying babies or coughing seat mates brilliantly! (Did I just use that word?! Hmm.. couldn’t think of a better one!)
c. Clinique’s All about eyes cream – Call me crazy, but I see the difference! Its a must have to look your best on the other side!
d. iPad – as mentioned above, it goes everywhere with me!
e. Eye Mask – Just makes your sleep that much better!
f. Books – James Patterson has some great travel tips for you in this book too!
g. Passport – Although I always remember to bring it, I have had it stolen out of my bag at the airport. Always double check! I feel like maybe I should travel with a security guard!
h. Bottled Water – as mentioned above…its all about the cap!
i. Keys – Keys in your carry on… it’s just smart traveling! See above for details!
j. Phone Charger – keys and charges go hand in hand! See above for details!
k. Toothbrush – This could be combined with a pair of underwear/panties as well. Freshen up after a long flight, or just be prepared if your luggage doesn’t arrive!
l. Socks – for that extra level of comfort!