DO NOT Pack These 9 Common Things for a Long Flight (pack THIS instead!)

It would be a big packing mistake to bring these 9 travel items to the airport in 2024. These are the 9 Things Experienced Travelers No Longer Pack, and what they are bringing instead. Avoiding these airport packing mistakes will help you save space and stop wasting money on travel items that are NOT worth it. You'll learn some effective packing hacks and minimalist packing tips that will save you space and time at airport security and on your trip.

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Welcome to Portable Professional, where I, Megan, use my experience from over 300 flights to offer you simple, practical and game-changing travel tips and hacks. Our mission is to help you reduce stress and make the most of every trip.

🐶 Chapters
00:00 Don't Pack These in 2024
00:12 #1: stop carrying cash
00:42 my travel rewards card
01:01 #2: carry-on liquids
01:45 #3: empty water bottle
02:30 #4: 'airport' clothes
03:44 #5: smartphones
04:27 #6: camera, drones, gear
05:40 #7: personal item bags like this
06:14 my personal item bag
06:25 #8: suitcases like this
06:54 find suitcase weight
07:23 #9: airport and plane snacks

[HealthSoundsMusic]

My husband and I went to Maui, Hawaii last week. I took about $100 of cash and was very glad that I did! On the remote side of the island, they ONLY took cash because they didn't have Internet access.

[clarkcalabrese]

Note: DON'T use an ATM or currency exchange at the airport. The exchanged rates are higher than average plus a service charge! DON'T use your credit card to take out walking around cash (euros, Swiss francs, etc.). Credit cards companies consider it a "cash advance" and will charge interest from day one. Go to a BANK in the country you are visiting and use their ATM with your bank DEBIT card and take out Only the Cash You Need! Always take money out in the local currency. Don't take it out as USD or CAD. You will get a better rate of exchange. You also you may be charged with a service, about $3 on average. If you have a checking and a savings account with your bank, most of the banks will reimburse you for the service charge that the foreign bank charged. Sad part is that you will need some local currency for the public restrooms, not free.

[sunnyscott]

I don't dress up but I do dress nicely when I fly. /dress pants, a comfortable blouse and a blazer or light jacket. Once I am at my destination, I hang up my airplane clothes and never touch them again until my return flight when I wear them back. This has worked well for me for years. I travel every 90 days in every class from economy to first class.

[lizcademy]

I do dress nicely on travel days ... executive level office casual in an office where jeans are ok. Dressing well earns me more respect and better service than I's get in sweats.

On a flight in February, I wore a linen short sleeve top under a cashmere sweater, with wide-leg jeans on the bottom. I also carried my leather jacket. Unlike slim or skinny jeans, these were stylish and very, very comfortable. The linen top is perfect for warm conditions, the cashmere kept me warm when it was chilly. The jacket plus sweater was enough to keep me warm when I was outside in Minneapolis.

About 5 years ago, I saw a woman waiting for her plane in cheap pajamas, a robe, and fuzzy slippers. [That was a 2 hour afternoon flight.] I can understand comfort, but that's taking things too far!

[taraoakes]

Not only “don’t stink”, but don’t spray yourself down with colognes or perfumes. I’m allergic to many of these things, and they really don’t hide BO, they just make you stink more. 🤢🤢🤢

[DaneReidVoiceOver]

Always have food on the plane for worse case scenarios where you are stuck on the tarmac for hours.

[RedZ]

I recommend packing some garbage bags to wrap over your personal item while you're storing them under the seat.

[marcielston]

You're right! I disagree with a few. 1) liquids: get TSA precheck, and keep the cheap liquid toiletries instead of changing everything. 2) cash: In emergencies, cash still works. getting cash at the destination if traveling where USD isn't accepted currency. Your phone and credit card may not. 3) As a photographer, cell phone cameras are nice, and today I'm flying to Mexico with just a cell phone camera and a GoPro - but when I'm going on a photography trip, I'm taking real camera equipment.

[davesaunders]

1- I bring at least 200 euros with me. When in Portugal 2022 I needed to buy train tickets after arrival and the ticket seller in the station only took cash. If I had to find a last min atm I may have missed that train. In Germany last year many places off the beaten path took only cash. So many good tips! 4-Merino wool garments are great, I am starting with the socks. 5- I do Take my charged older cellphone simply as a spare.

[dkeith-fchn]

I travel super light weight in a small backpack 7 kilo in the overhead bin. That's it and i have everything i need. I pack like a ninja.😅

[l.c.]

I find, depending on your destination, that it’s convenient to buy your liquids once you arrive at your destination.

[kristintoo]

I still take my camera as there is no substitute for great glass

[cijmo]

I don't care how a person dresses, just don't stink. Dress clothes are often polyester and after a 12 hour flight, you can have gone from the shower to the clothes and they're still going to stink. I don't care if people wear pyjamas, just be fresh pyjamas and not something you've been sleeping in for a week. The only think I'll say about bringing your own food is ... yes, the same thing, just don't stink. I had a lady eating olive oil and garlic lentils and a cauliflower and kale quiche. Mild scented foods, please.

[Jsmith]

A few comments: (1) I used to have an employer who required us to wear a sportscoat for our briefings so I just wore it on the airplane, it also helped me because most airplanes were too cold for me to be comfortable (2) I carry an iPad for photos and a cell phone for calls (3) I never heard of toothpaste tabs--I need to look info them (4) in many countries overseas overseas, credit cards were not accepted in restaurants so cash was required, that said, I would get it from an ATM when I landed but carry a small amount leftover from a previous trip.

I carry a backpack with a laptop section, and inside the backpack a small drawstring back with my snacks, Imodium (mandatory overseas), iPad with charging cable, and everything out of my pockets except passport, boarding passes (yes, I like old school boarding passes) and a pair of glasses so I can read. When I board, I remove the small bag and place the backpack in the overhead and keep the little bag under the seat.

[arrowchild]

I’m an experienced traveler and, honestly, the quart sized liquid bag has never bothered me. As long as you’re organized, taking out a single, clear spill proof bag at security isn’t exactly hard to do. 🤷 Also, microfiber camping towels are a game changer. They can be used as an extra blanket in the plane, and then later on the beach, while hiking and if the place you’re staying doesn’t have enough towels, (especially if it’s a hostel, guesthouse etc). They take up virtually no room.

[Vromiaris]

I’m a hobbiest photographer, so the camera and at least 3-4 lenses travel with me. As for the quality… yeah - for instagram, there is not much difference, but besides that - there is a huge difference! I live taking photo’s, editing them and creating photo books of the travel. Often times, editing involved cropping and that’s where a good camera shines!

[petek]

Experienced traveler here.
I always bring local currency from home, especially if I have some leftover from previous trips. Easily obtained from my own bank and probably the same or better rates than foreign ATM’s. Unfortunately we Canadians don’t have access to the wild and crazy CC that Americans do, but I’ll still use mine for the measly points that I can accrue 😅
I also bring my favourite toiletries because why wouldn’t I ? I can pack most of it in my checked bag and carry the rest in my personal carry on.

[itsnotme]

Awesome tips and I did not disagree with any of them. haha. On the carryon food...let's make sure it isn't something that is going to overwhelm the plane/passengers with the smells, even if they are yummy to you, they may not be to others.

[PhotoTrekr]

Since most of my trips are to do photography, my carry on bag is usually full of camera gear. But, I agree with you that most people don't need a separate camera. Smart phone cameras do a good job and are adequate for most travelers. But, some people just like using cameras. Do what works for you.

[PhantomObserver]

About the camera: while I do rely on my smartphone for taking photos, it's a different story for shooting videos. I've found it easier to compose moving shots for videos using a dedicated camera, because I have a better grip on the camera than on the smartphone.
I also prefer soft-sided luggage for my main carryon because it can squish. This is important because it makes it easier to fit into an overhead bin.