Airline EDC

[tkerby]

I do a lot of business travel and was wondering what people carried while flying (within TSA and European rules)

[Mark123]

I can't sleep on a plane: alcohol, meditation, hypnosis :shocked:, none of it works. So I always have a good novel, my video Ipod with seated battery giving me 14 hours of power, and Zen creative for music. For my wife it'e easier. She can spend hours doing Sudoku puzzles.

After 9/11 no more multitools, etc...so in terms of that worst case scenario no one likes to talk about, I dress well, for any possible contingencies, like to have a bottled water, and beyond that it's in God's hands.

In more practical terms, getting stuck in an airplane on a runway for hours, for whatever reason, is always a reality. If you aren't ready for that (in terms of keeping yourself entertained and not going mental), I say shame on you.

[normshapiro]

All my travel is personal and I like to take along camera equipment to use on my trip as carry on luggage. After 9/11 you could not take tripods or monopods on board. That has changed now but every once in a while my photo gear causes extra looks from TSA. Along with my photo gear I have a book, Ipod w/noise cancelling headphones, my surfire light (which has never caused a second look), palm PDA, and some simple tools. I considering buying a SOG multitool and removing all the sharp parts but I'm afraid TSA will not like the pliers so I'm going to pick up an Atwood Crawdaddy that will work for me along with the other basic tools I carry.

[Onedzguy]

When I use to travel; I would have in my backpack ear plugs, night watch cap, a jacket, a towel, mag light, Halls cough drops, Sony am/fm walkman radio with head phones, cell phone with a list of personal phone numbers in case the battery dies on the cell phone, and all related travel documents and tickets.

[b.s.]

I don't travel as much now, but would get stuck in airports periodically.
I'm sure someone will come along with their "airplane friendly altoids tin"

Mini cable lock - for locking bags to stationary item while resting.
Itinerary,
Tickets,
List of airport codes
Phone numbers for airlines and Rental Car companies
Roll of quarters
Phone card
Headlamp
Can of Coke
MP3 Player
noise canceling headphones
Magazine or Novel
Scotch
chewing Gum
Phone charger / emergency charger
assorted food -- enough for overnight snacking
Nalgene

ohh and
and mesh bag for pocket items that get x-rayed.

We'll see how well I do this holiday season.

[bpa]

I do major cross-country travel every week right now. I don't check anything.

My EDC (besides clothes, 2-3 books, and work papers) includes:

Computer, mouse, power supply, CAT5 cable, USB cable, computer cable lock, SD cards and reader

Personal cell phone and corporate cell phone, bluetooth dongle and headset

MP3 player (not an ipod!), headphones and mini portable speakers

Tape, paperclips, .9 and .7 mm lead pencils, pens, small ceramic cutter

4" needlenose pliers, metal ruler and sufficient screwdrivers to dismantle my computer

igo charger for the phones and MP3 player

keyring with mini prybaby XL, Fenix LOP flashlight, proto screwdriver, folding scissors, house key

Weighs a ton, but I'm prepared for just about anything that has happened to me thus far.

[normshapiro]

bpa-have you ever had any problems with TSA for your cutter, pliers or screwdrivers?

[bpa]

No, oddly enough.

But my electric shaver has thrown them into a tizzy (TSY), as has a granola bar, my TSA approved liquid carrier, and my exercise band (elastic and hard rubber). My carryon bag glows in the dark now. In all fairness, I sometimes breeze through. It depends on the experience of the ghouls and whatever whimsical instructions happened to have emanated from Command Central this week.

[houdini28]

No, oddly enough.

But my electric shaver has thrown them into a tizzy (TSY), as has a granola bar, my TSA approved liquid carrier, and my exercise band (elastic and hard rubber). My carryon bag glows in the dark now. In all fairness, I sometimes breeze through. It depends on the experience of the ghouls and whatever whimsical instructions happened to have emanated from Command Central this week.



I have had similar experiences. I took a tool kit through and all the tools were under seven inches as per TSA standards. I also took an electric razor through but upon inspection the battery was dead. Apparently a dead electric razor is really a piece of C-4 molded to look like an electric razor. The TSA agent kept inspecting it until I told him he could keep it if it was really causing all that much trouble. On the plus side, bringing tools didn't raise an eyebrow. I'd much rather have my tools than be clean shaven.

[temujin]

... as has a granola bar...


Granola bar. This is what we have come to. I think we can turn out the lights now. :(

[bpa]

The frightening thing is that they are doing the best they can.

[temujin]

The frightening thing is that they are doing the best they can.


More's the pity.

[BSBG]

Most of the items I carry have been mentioned - Ipod, phone with spare battery and charger, laptop, Surefire, books / magazines, snacks, credit cards...

[jonny8642]

Although most of the stuff I carry have already been said, but I did nto know you can carry tools onto a plane, I walked through security last week with a 5" adjustable wrench and I shocked by it, and I fly two to three times a week for work. I usually carry
Lap top
Ipod
LOTO lock
Reference books
magazine
camera
PSP for when I get really bored
cell phones work and personal
chargers for for all the electronic stuff that I carry

[zshiner]

Here is what I carry while flying ... also functions well for me when I get there. KM




Most of my EDC revolves around my go bag - which is a Lands End Deluxe Attache. It provides an excellent laptop case that I can fly with while holding everything else I need. My charger is an iGo Juice 70 - which serves to charge everthing else I carry.

That list is:

Toshiba Laptop
Blackberry 8700 - GSM works great everywhere but Korea and Japan
iPod Nano
Archos 504
Garmin Nuvi (USA and Canada)

I also carry the small AC adapter / Auto adapter from iGo - iGo Everywhere - and for those times where there is no AC or a Car to plug into - The iGo powerXtender. I added this recently because it is so small and it saves me from getting out the big juice for charging just one item.

The great thing about the iGo system is the tips can be used with any of the chargers - very versatile and small.

I learned recently on Lifehacker - www.lifehacker.com - that the small zipper nylon pencil cases (any office supply store will have them) work incredibly well for the small stuff.

I carry two of them and they typically hold:

FIRST ONE:
small Tylenol bottle
small antacid bottle
small imodium bottle
small decongestant bottle
mints
4 AA batteries
4 AAA batteries
Ipod ear buds

SECOND ONE:
Gel Pens, Mechanical Pencil, and Highlighters
Combo Laser / LED Light
Small USB Mouse
Retractable Ethernet Cable
Retractable Phone Cable
the iGo Power Extender

Zippered Case that holds my Bose Headphones - iPod fits in the same case

Samsung L100 Digital Camera and Case

Palm Vx is just an alarm clock these days

160 Gig Free Agent Go - Excellent Back up HD - Carries my Music too for my work PC

Small case with 3 USB Thumb Drives

The Rest - calculator, Credit Card case (Frequent Flier, Hotel, Car Rental, Etc.), Passport

Just Added - small resealable bag of Pre Moistened Wipes - Put them in a zip lock bag to insure they are sealed.

Want to Add - I need a better flashlight ... So I will be looking over the forum for ideas. I have only been in a dark hotel once - and I had one - with all the new LED lights - I should carry a good one.

I also fly with a backpack ... and it has stuff in it too - the subject of another post.

[Mike V]

I try to just have carry-on bags if at all possible, no check-in bags.

I always take the following:

A book
A magazine and/or newspaper purchased from the Airport
iPod
Etymotics ER-4P noise isolating headphones
Airline Adaptor
Atwood Prybaby XL
Torch (currently a Jet Bet Jet-1 Mk IBS)
Camera Gear (varies wildly depending on the trip)
Polarising Sunglasses
2 x Visa Cards
Passport

[fshalor]

For some reason, I am scared of trying to bring my surefire L1 through security on my person. (I think I felt safe enough to put it in one of my carry-on bags.) I could just see myself unhooking it from my belt and putting it in the tray and getting the evil eye for bearing a military scented OD-greenish long cylindrical object with weaponized striking potential. :D Somehow I think they wont thing anything more than "flashlight" if its in the bag where they had to dig to see it.


Everything else kind of worked:

Person:
wallet, passport zipped into pocket
Watch, cell phone

Carry-on 1 (backpack)
laptop and kit
pens, paper
pen normally on person
keys normally on person
1 day worth of clothing
SF L1. Spare CR123's
iPod. Headphones.
Book. Journal articles.
Hardshell (if not worn)


Carry-on 2 (camera kit, bulk)
Was a camera bag. now rolling tote (which fits camera bag inside). (wheels win!)
2-3 SLR bodies. d60, 630, FTb
2-5 lenses. Tamron 19-35 canon 90-300 usm, canon 50 f1.8 FD and EF. Sigma spare.
Bats, chargers, filters, cleaning kit, extra caps and an extra hood.
Film (if I'm rolling 35mm) is on top of bag in clear plastic bag. If I'm feeling particularly vindictive, I ask for a hand check. When they ask "is there any professional film" you say "yes" and point to the black and white stuff.
SF e1 franken-light.
Spare change of clothes.

On a side note, I put a tick mark on every film case if it goes through. 6 scans is my limit before I'll toss the film into a "casual use only" bin. 3 after its been exposed. If I shot professionally, I'd probably demand hand checks and then ship it back after exposed to myself via ground. Or get it developed locally where ever I was.

[bigfoot]

We just had to fly this weekend and what a nightmare. No snacks even handed out any more, just a "complimentary beverage cart service" on our relatively short flight.

In my carry-on small backpack was a change of clothes, 3 oz. toiletries in a 1 quart Ziploc, handi-wipes, Ipod Nano 3rd Gen., magazine, Arc AAA-P flashlight, a whistle, Icom R5 receiver, spare batteries, and my cell phone. Out of everything the Ipod was worth its weight in gold passing the time. Before I kinda considered them a neat gadget, not really essential, but fun. Now they ought to be mandatory for every traveler.

What a nightmare. Flying has truly become the cattle car of the skies, and with the high fuel prices airlines are cutting back everywhere they can. Hopefully no more flights anytime soon...

Rant off.

:brickwall:

[gw812]

Verified this stuff TSA=compliant yesterday. Clicky this: http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=18373.msg217873#msg217873
Oh, if you're feeling especially devious, wear a kilt with belt through the checkpoint and see what happens when they yell 'Male Assist!"

[brighterisbetter]

Has anyone ever thought of a makeshift, easy-to-assemble slingshot? A small amount of fishing sinkers in your pocket or even the EDCforums favorite roll-o-quarters could work as projectiles. Then a few rubberbands wouldn't be suspicious (office supplies) on your wrist, they'd act as the straps. Then depending on your preference, using your finger and thumb or some other device as the mounts/supports, and you've got yourself a moderately powerful slingshot. Contingent on your skill level with self defense, keeping distance from an assailant may be your best option, or if you're more comfortable with getting up close and personal, the cold-steel sharkie, tactical pen, or roll of quarters in a hanky would do the trick for me. What are your thoughts on this?

[El Verbo]

I just back from Vegas and had no problems to and fro'.

Will post more on the thread that I authored.

[gw812]

My assessment - you'll be in a stressful situation with almost no time to prepare. Slingshot = no. Any type of pointy thing = better. Avoiding the situation or, once it begins, practicing E & E = best.

[Crocodilo]

Has anyone ever thought of a makeshift, easy-to-assemble slingshot? A small amount of fishing sinkers in your pocket or even the EDCforums favorite roll-o-quarters could work as projectiles. Then a few rubberbands wouldn't be suspicious (office supplies) on your wrist, they'd act as the straps. Then depending on your preference, using your finger and thumb or some other device as the mounts/supports, and you've got yourself a moderately powerful slingshot. Contingent on your skill level with self defense, keeping distance from an assailant may be your best option, or if you're more comfortable with getting up close and personal, the cold-steel sharkie, tactical pen, or roll of quarters in a hanky would do the trick for me. What are your thoughts on this?


Wow. That's strange, even for a first post... You're joking, right? Where are you getting at, trying to devise an improvised weapon to carry on board? Or being ready for SD as soon as you step out?

[brighterisbetter]

Wow. That's strange, even for a first post... You're joking, right? Where are you getting at, trying to devise an improvised weapon to carry on board? Or being ready for SD as soon as you step out?


It may be my first post here, but I've logged over 250 posts on candlepowerforums.com I just thought this would be a more appropriate place to post ideas for EDC items on a plane. What I meant by my post was in reference to a situation where an assailant wouldn't be wielding a edged weapon, but rather an explosive device. Should you choose to rush that person with the intent of striking or whatever, the imminent threat of said attack could prompt them to press the trigger/button/igniter/whatever. Rather, a properly-aimed projectile from a distance to the right body part (temple, earlobe) could disorient them for a long enough time for others to gang-tackle or something along those lines. I chose to mention lead fishing sinkers as they're less likely to ricochet off parts of the fuselage and potentially injure passengers.

My intent wasn't to illustrate how to devise a weapon for use on a plane, but rather was brainstorming a SD device for plane EDC. I guess the idea wasn't too popular here on the forums, sorry about that. And after some consideration, I now realize that a slingshot, even a simple one such as this, probably couldn't be assembled in a timely fashion as to be effective in a SD scenario. Thanks for the replies thus far.

On a side note, what is the consensus of the best TSA-friendly tactical pen to carry? Benchmade? Surefire? Something else besides cold-steel sharkie?

[Mark123]

What a nightmare. Flying has truly become the cattle car of the skies, and with the high fuel prices airlines are cutting back everywhere they can. Hopefully no more flights anytime soon...

Rant off.

:brickwall:


I was fortunate to be "comped" twice, flew both first class and business class. The experience was so different I hardly noticed the 6 hours of flight. On my last flight, I was fortunate to sit in the first row in economy class-more leg room, but the jacka** next to me insisted on hogging the armrest. I asked him if I could read his newspaper that he had thrown at his feet, just to see who I was dealing with, and based on his reaction, and begrudgingly handing me the paper, I confirmed he was, indeed a jacka**.

Since I've been back to the states, about 4 weeks now-it seems people have changed; in church, on the highway, out and about, short, impatient, impersonal. Is it just me? Is it the 24 hour media cycle of doom and gloom? Does anyone else notice this-or am I becoming a grumpy, old man? :sigh:

[Crocodilo]

brighterisbetter, thanks for clarifying your intentions. Welcome to EDCForums, you'll notice lots of us are also CPFers!

[mrichelo]

A slingshot doesn't seem like a practical weapon for SD. I doubt an improvised one would be powerful to be more than a distraction at best.

I give you points for being clever and giving it thought though. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how many alternatives people have on a plane.

A regular old sharpie or a AA Mini-Mag may be the most practical.

Actually I just remembered this, check this out: James Williams : The System of Strategy (http://systemofstrategy.com/james-williams/?page_id=98)

Mark

[sammyz]

I fly frequently and never check bags. I highly recommend www.onebag.com for anybody who wants to learn more about traveling light and never having to check again!

That being said, I usually travel with the following kit. Everything goes in a Tom Bihn Aeronaut which is a fantastic carryon sized bag. If your back can at all handle it, I suggest ditching the wheels on your carryon.

On Person
Keys with Pen, G3 Prybaby, Fenix L0D
Prescription Sunglasses (with a Hides (http://www.rei.com/product/728859?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-728859&mr:trackingCode=E26E4DF0-9B89-DD11-873B-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA) sunglass leash)
Small card wallet
Cash (always loose in pocket)
Samsung Instinct
Omega Seamaster Pro in Titanium (doesn't need to be taken off for metal detector)
Paracord Bracelet
Paracord Ankle bracelet

In Bag
4 Polyester tshirts (packed in a packing cube)
4 polyester boxer briefs (packed in the cube)
1 extra REI adventure pants (also in the cube)
1 nice pair of shoes
HP DV2000 laptop with charger
Shure noise canceling headphones
Ipod
Book
Soft or hardshell (depending on destination)
Adventure Medical Light and Watertight .9
Cocoon Silk travel sheet
Gerber Recon flashlight
Toiletry Kit

I would also like to note that the absolute KEY to getting through security hassle free is packing everything as neatly as possible inside your bag. It is much easier for the TSA to identify something as innocuous when it isn't covered up by a jumble of cables and smushed clothing. I have a fair bit of liquids inside my toiletry case (shhhhh!) such as a nasal spray, some tubes of different creams, shaving oil, visine ect and never take them out at inspection. The TSA knows they are there but don't bother to force me to take them out because they can easily identify them on X-ray and the point of the bag is really to make it easier to do that by grouping them in one place (and limiting it to 1 quart). The one time in the last year I've been inspected was because I had POWER BARS in my stupid bag and they looked like plastique to them or something...

[outdoorsman1911]

Coke can and a pair of socks makes a pretty good improvised weapon.

[Blackheart]

Not wanting to get off topic, but since a lot of this thread seems to be about SD type stuff...

I picked up an ice scraper (https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=179) from EDC Depot to be used as... an ice scraper, plus as something to spool around 50ft. of nylon string around.

Now, in the product description are the words: "CAUTION: Under no circumstances should you ever strike someone with this ice scraper. It could cause considerable damage!" Yet this thing fits very nicely into a fist, and... oh yeah, it just happens to be in the SD section.

Blade is fairly sharp for a piece of plastic, no doubt it could do some serious damage if used "improperly". :)

[charlie fox]

Other than firearms and sharp things (those go into my checked baggage) my EDC doesn't really change. I do however pack a few essentials into a small (very small) carry-on bag:

- A small toiletry kit with a toothbrush. tooth paste and a disposible razor
- A change of socks and skivvies
- A small first aid kit with packets of generic ibuprophen, sinus medication, acetemenophin and anti-diarreah medications
- Two guaze compress bandages (individually wrapped in the original packaging - the kind from industrial FAKs)
- Chargers for my phone
- Earphones for my phone (Treo 750 - I watch videos and listen to music)
- A magazine or two and a book
- A roll of quarters
- An extra Mini Maglite with the accessory kit

[Corporal Punishment]

I carry a slingpack (Maxpedition Monsoon) which has all my standard luggage goodies (clothes, mini-toiletries, personal electronics, etc). Everything that I carry is important, otherwise I wouldn't carry it, but the key travel elements in this bag mixed in with my EDC are:

-Victorinox Boarding Pass neck wallet/document organizer - for passport, ticket, boarding pass, photo ID and 1/3 of my cash
-Creative Zen MP3 player - great inexpensive player that I don't worry about. Audio books are a wonderful diversion!!!
-Mini-Toothbrush - great for freshening up before landing
-Nomex Hood/Mask - when rolled up it looks like a watchcap, but it's the same fire resistant mask that firefighters use
-Nomex/Kevlar Gloves - gauntlet length pilot's gloves (excellent sensitivity, decent insulation, fire resistant, and now SLASH proof)
-1 liter water bottle (empty) - like a Nalgene, I fill it up past Security, for hydration in-flight
-Padded mailer envelope - with changing TSA regs and inconsistent screeners, I find I save a lot of grief by carrying a pre-self addressed, pre-stamped mailer with me, and sending whatever doesn't pass security in the mail. Note: both the address and return address are my addresses, so the package will eventually come back to me (sometimes postage due).


I attach a small MOLLE pouch about 4" X 6" X 4" which contains most of my airplane specific items. These are the items I don't EDC, but carry only when I travel by air or pass through security checkpoints. Having these items in one place keeps me from forgetting something, or accidentally packing some prohibited item in.

-Deck of waterproof cards - for Solitaire
-Inflateable Neck Pillow - for sleeping without a crick in the neck or excessive drooling
-Dramamine Motion Sickness Pills (tube) - yes, I'm susceptible
-Baby wipes packet - thousands of travel uses for clean-up, but also handy for exigent toilet use
-Gel John - an odd but handy item I picked up at a travel store, basically allows you to pee anywhere (even females), and if you've ever been in the situation where the "SEATBELT" sign is lit in turbulence or stuck on the ground for 4 hrs and the line is long... well, it's a lifesaver
-Solid Steel Ballpoint Pen with knurled grip pattern - an innocent writing device, that I am prepared into drive into the temporal lobe of a terrorist hijacker
-Machined Aluminum Eddie Bauer LED flashlight (approx 6" X 1") - a practical illumination device with multiple smoke-cutting coloured LEDs, but also a solid blunt instrument (Kubotan) with which I am prepared to bludgeon a terrorist hijackers face to a pulp
-Steel Retracting Cable Lock (with 1 metre of cable) - a practical security lock for luggage, valuables, skis, many uses when traveling, but it also happens to be a very effective and intimidating steel whip and practical garrote (with 100 lb + strength)
-Ziploc Plastic Bag (quart size) - very handy for myriad travel uses. Think of all the stuff you can protect from dirt, moisture, grease, etc, or organize into separate areas, or disposing of wastes (trash, liquid wastes, vomit and solid wastes) and air-tight seal them away.
-EVAC-U-8 Personal escape mask - this is a special filter system which allows you to breath in smoky environments. Remember, if you survive a plane crash, the actual number one cause of death is the ensuing fire, and most people don't burn, they succumb to smoke.
-Disposeable Tyvek Slippers - although having closed toe leather shoes on during a plane crash or fire will greatly enhance your odds for survival (ironically, tightly laced shoes are about the only article of clothing left on air crash victims... ewww!), I nevertheless find it irresistable to remove my shoes for long flights (over 4 hours). So these slip-on elastic booties are great for those trips to the lavatory or walking around on the plane.

If, like the 9/11 terrorists, the hijackers are using sharps (knives, boxcutters, glass, whatever), don't forget that ballistic nylon (pouches, packs, bags) make excellent shields, bucklers, or in general, "armor" against slashing and stabbing.

[Priestly]

Did a search for the Evac-U-8. Found this:

http://www.evacsafety.com/recall/Safety_Notice.html

FWIW

[Corporal Punishment]

Did a search for the Evac-U-8. Found this:

http://www.evacsafety.com/recall/Safety_Notice.html

FWIW

Hey, thanks! Mine is about expired out and I was thinking of getting a different, smaller, design "escape mask" anyway. But you've illustrated the importance of checking out product reviews first.

One thing I love about this forum is all the valuable information that we learn/share. Good looking out, man!

[Priestly]

Hey, thanks! Mine is about expired out and I was thinking of getting a different, smaller, design "escape mask" anyway. But you've illustrated the importance of checking out product reviews first.

One thing I love about this forum is all the valuable information that we learn/share. Good looking out, man!


Glad I could help! Let us know which mask you decide on!