StrangeBrew

I get that this thread has serious potential to go off the fairway into a bunker, but trying to keep the discussion to practical items, what are some key items to have in your flight case (if you still use one) and/or rollaboard that wouldn't ordinarily come to mind for someone new to the regional game? Medications (FAA-approved, of course) for acute maladies, chargers/batteries, gym clothes for hotel gyms, etc.??

(Hoping for useful info but preparing for sardonic quips)

Turbosina

For a typical 4-day, I pack:

• 1 case Durex condoms for the Larger Man
• Family size bottle, personal lubricant
• Spare set of Guard Police uniform insignia (shoulder patch, campaign ribbon with cluster)
• Nomex flight suit
• The Holy Bible. You'd be surprised how many 121 pilots aren't familiar with the Word of God; it's my duty to enlighten them.
• 4 cans Cheez Whiz

Turbosina

Now that I got that out of the way, for a 4-day I typically will pack:

• Required equipment (EFB, headset, flashlight, the obvious documents)

• My laptop

• iPod

• Cell, laptop, EFB chargers

• 1 spare uniform shirt and 1 pair spare uniform pants (I started doing this after spilling coffee on myself on Day 1 of a 4-day, with no spare uniforms in my bag)

• 1 pair spare epaulets and wings (they weigh nothing, take up no space, but are irreplaceable on the road)

• 1 spare tie (see above)

• The usual clothes for 4 days. Maybe 1 pair jeans, 1 pair running shorts, 1 pair regular shorts, running shoes, a couple of T-shirts.

• If it's cold I'll bring my uniform sweater and jacket. Just remove the bling and they work fine if you're not on duty but it's cold outside. But for the love of God don't be that guy wandering around the mall with a leather jacket with your name tag and epaulets still attached.

• Sunglasses, ear plugs, a few extra sani-wipes for when the airplane doesn't have them (which is almost always)

• And of course, food. You can almost always get free breakfast at hotels, so for a 4-day I'll try to pack 3 lunches and 3 dinners. Eating out on the road gets real expensive real fast, plus it's awful for your waistline.

Riverside

I'll be nice today. Luggage works stealth 22 for my roller board. And not much in my flight case since we are transitioning over to ipad.

Turbosina

Don't forget the rubberized handle grip for your rollaboard with "PILOT" printed in giant letters. Someone posted that from the MSP Skywest crew room....

N19906

Under don't need but nice to have:

Flip-flops, so I can do the hotel breakfast in t-shirt and shorts.
An extra charger and cord, so all the iStuff can be charging at once.
An external speaker for the iPad's music files or Pandora. (My wife got me that, it's turned out to be surprisingly nice to have)
A real (lexan) glass to drink out of. (Holds the charging junk.) I've had it with crappy hotel paper cups. I want to drink like I'm an adult.
And way out in left field, I've toyed with the idea of a 100W equivalent led lightbulb. Because light is good and in most rooms, the lighting is sh*t!

That should give you some ideas besides clean underwear. :-)

SqueeG

A good quality, travel-size Thermos...unless you actually like drinking dog pi...errr...airplane coffee. Doubles as an excellent soup container.

Bonus: you can share with the person up front with you if you want/need to make a friend. Few things work as well as an ice-breaker like a well-brewed cup of coffee. If you are an FO it makes you look well prepared and savvy. If you are a CA it makes you look experienced and thoughtful.

One last thing....don't make it too big so you can plausibly use the "I'm sorry but I only brought enough for me" excuse when dealing with the inevitable jackhole/moocher.

GucciBoy

Thanks. That was like a Christmas present.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TheFly

4 day trip as follows:
1 spare uniform shirt
1 pair of casual pants/jeans
1 light jacket (seasonal/destination)
1 pair of walking/gym shoes
3 socks
3 underwear
2 t-shirts
Swim shorts
Goggles
Ball cap
Gloves (seasonal)
Lap top
EFB
Flashlight
Spare batteries

kls81

What type of food do you take for lunches and dinners. I'm sure some things are more transportable than others. Do you use a cooler as well?