What Do You Travel For Work With?

"Almost A Wooden Bird" (AlmostAWoodenBird) 11/07/2014 at 11:44 • Filed to: travel, commute, daily, edc, every day carry

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Hey Opponauts! I need your help and ideas. Recently I took a new job that is going to require a hefty amount of travel - my first job like this. I'm a pretty good traveler for short trips around the country, but this is going to be a lot of day trips and train rides and maybe some hotel stay. So here's my question to you seasoned job-traveling veterans:

What can't you live without while traveling and what does your daily bag look like (Clothes, gadgets, apps, etc)? Hell, what IS your daily bag?

I know I could ask LifeHacker or Giz this, but I trust our ilk more, and want to know what you carry. I basically always carry an external battery for electronics, a streaming media flash drive for when I'm out of cell reception but sitting on a train, headphones, one extra day of clothes (if multiple days of trip), a book and work files, laptop and whatever else might be required by the trip - how about you guys?

Mosqvich > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 12:06

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I have a laptop (MacBook Pro) and an iPhone 6 Plus (which combined my iPhone 5 and iPad into one device). I also carry a moleskine type note book.

I use a wheeled briefcase from Brooks Brothers (I bought it at an outlet), but the brand isn't important, wheels are. However, you need to make sure it will fit into the overhead of regional jets (mine does).

I always buy travel size containers for products like shave cream, etc... I put a lot of leaky stuff in a zip lock bag to avoid disaster. I DO NOT travel with cologne unless I have it in a travel size and designed dispenser (I bought mine at Macy's).

I always, always, always have gum or something like it.

Textured Soy Protein > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 12:24

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I love my Dakine 101 backpack. I mostly travel for leisure, and this is my bring-with-me-on-the-plane bag. (Don't mind the skater bro reviewing the bag—he gives a good explanation of all the pockets.)

Starting with the front-most pocket, I put my plane tickets in there; organizer pocket gets wallet, keys, other odds & ends; next pocket gets chargers & cables, next pocket gets iPad & magazine; in the big main pocket I put my Domke F-5XC camera bag , and in the laptop pocket I put my 13" Macbook Pro Retina.

If you're not carrying a camera bag inside your backpack like me, then you could probably fit a change of clothes and other stuff in there. But I usually bring a small rolling suitcase along with me as well. The backpack is just for my gizmos and other things I want with me on the plane.

Svend > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 12:26

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I use a large black Mezzi case. It's pretty solid, reliable (though some have said different) and looks nice. I can get my laptop, change of footwear, a couple of changes of cloths and toiletries.

I'm afraid this is the only picture I have of it from the hotel room.

William Byrd > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 12:42

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My daily bag is a black leather Calvin Klein messenger type bag. Similar, but different from this:

I carry my portfolio/notebook, macbook air (when necessary) and just basic stuff like keys, wallet, etc. I wear a suit every day so it had to be something professional looking and I kept getting holes in my pockets from carrying too much crap.

For travel, go with something wheeled assuming your trip is 2 nights or more. Under that, you can probably get away with a backpack or something. I have a Targus backpack that I like. But not having to schlep through airport terminals and make connections carrying a bag is great. A small wheeled suitcase will be sufficient, many have a quick access slot for your laptop or other stuff you'll need to grab before sitting down on a plane.

As for stuff, nothing special. I read and watch movies via iPad usually and bring noise-canceling headphones (the cheaper Sony models are fine IMO) in case I want to some peace and quiet. I have a 1st gen iPad that I got like the first week they were out. Still works fine. Quick funny story, I took it through the airport in Narita, Japan just after I got it on a connection to Singapore and the Japanese security guy picked it up, eyeballed it and in sort of cartoon'ish English goes "Coooooooooollll" and handed it back to me. haha

Oh and pick an airline and a hotel chain, sign up for points, and stay loyal. You will get decent stuff out of it. I'm United and Marriott, don't travel much anymore but I had great status with both at one point, makes for extended legroom and better rooms. Sign up for all competing points programs too, just in case you get stuck taking another air carrier or staying in another hotel. Always get points!

RallyWrench > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 12:43

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Dakine builder's pack. Normally it's carrying a chainsaw, water, bike parts, food, beer, & other tools & necessities for trailbuilding, but I've found it extremely well suited to travel. Even used it as my sole bag for a trip to Germany for a week, and it can be stuffed in carry-on.

jariten1781 > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 13:03

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Depends on the trip.

I always have my work briefcase. There I keep the laptop, important papers, chargers, a 3DS, ear buds, pocket knife (if not flying), a change of socks/underwear/one extra dress shirt/extra tie (in case the second bag doesn't make it), and some cash squirreled away in the lining (especially when going overseas).

If I'm going to need more than one suit jacket I bring a Samsonite 17" spinner (don't remember the exact model). If one jacket is all that's needed I just bring an el-cheapo backpack I got at Good-will like 10 years ago. Contents are the same: toiletries, jeans, non-dress shirt, extra ties, Sony MDR7506 headphoens, extra socks/underwear, 2nd set of work clothes, slippers, etc.

Hint: two solid shirts with 3 patterned ties and 2 jackets can be mix-and-matched for a month without people thinking you're a bum.

Entertainment: Old phone with Audible/Music (audio books are the best time sink), 3DS with whatever RPG I've got going

Apps?: I typically fly United and their app is good enough, FlightAware sometimes gets updates before your gate agent so I always have that running. I used to use Uber but the experiences over time have gotten worse to the point that I am back to Taxi stands and using the hotel front desk to arrange trans.

Tripper > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 13:15

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The only thing I don't have is a bag that I like. I carry: 13" laptop, iphone cable, micro and mini usb cables, RCA to mini jack, HDMI, Basically any standard video/audio adapter that you might encounter, external battery for charging portable devices, external HD, couple of flash drives, mini universal remote, knife, good flashlight, mini screwdriver kit, and headphones.

The bag I'm using currently is a give away from dell, I have a Camelbak MULE NV that i keep packed for overnights. I really want a laptop bag/briefcase from saddle back leather co. or Filson, I just have not been able to pull the trigger on a $500-$800 bag.

Almost A Wooden Bird > William Byrd 11/07/2014 at 13:35

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Points! I nearly forgot about that. Good (forgive me) point. Thanks for all the advice! That's hilarious about the iPad!

Almost A Wooden Bird > jariten1781 11/07/2014 at 13:38

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Hint: two solid shirts with 3 patterned ties and 2 jackets can be mix-and-matched for a month without people thinking you're a bum.

Now that's some solid advice!!

Almost A Wooden Bird > Mosqvich 11/07/2014 at 13:40

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Why no cologne? Possible breakage? I'm always a little stressed out putting it in my DOP bag

Almost A Wooden Bird > Svend 11/07/2014 at 13:40

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I like that!

William Byrd > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 13:44

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I'll allow the pun. :) No problem, enjoy the travel. I know you said it'll be a lot of day trips (and in this fiscal environment I'm sure most places are cutting travel expenses) but try and enjoy it and see some stuff!

Almost A Wooden Bird > William Byrd 11/07/2014 at 13:47

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I'm definitely going to try! I'm the first real "traveling" employee this organization has had, so they're pretty open to learning how to accommodate, which is nice. Now I just have to help make sense of it all - and get an expense account approved!

Svend > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 13:49

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It's a good size. It's slightly larger than regular briefcase case (I can get a 17" laptop in and still have a bit to spare width wise) and three times the depth. It does have a removable extendable handle and wheels but I just use the handle and the shoulder strap. I don't tend to carry it far just from the house to the car/taxi then to the hotel or train and so on but it doesn't feel awkward even if holding it for any length of time say while waiting at a train platform.

William Byrd > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 13:53

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Nice, good luck. As far as expenses, I used to bring some Cliff Bars for breakfast, some snacks for the plane, eat a cheap lunch, and then have a nice dinner and sample some beers. Make sure you prioritize the expenses for the fun stuff! haha

Almost A Wooden Bird > William Byrd 11/07/2014 at 14:14

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Oh man, that's a genius idea! I have a lot to learn from you, haha

Mosqvich > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/07/2014 at 18:45

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Breakage. I ruined a suitcase. Go to a department store and ask about a travel cologne device.

Tohru > Almost A Wooden Bird 11/10/2014 at 00:32

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When I went on a 4-day vacation to Vegas, I used the following:

Main bag: Land's End Large Packable Duffel.

I got it specifically for the trip. It perfectly fit the overhead bin size limit on Frontier - it's 12 1/2Hx24Wx12 1/2D.

It has a lifetime warranty - so when Dogapult borrowed it for his Japan trip and brought it back full of Japanese license plates and holes in the bottom, I was able to replace it free of charge.

It only has one huge pocket, and one tiny side pocket - it packs into the side pocket when not being used (5"x5"x2").

You can get it monogrammed for $6. It costs $29.

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Small carry-on bag: Eddie Bauer Packable Backpack.

They don't make this one anymore as far as I can tell.

It has a laptop pouch inside, which is where my laptop went. The tiny zippered pocket on top is good for important stuff, while the smaller vertical pocket was great for travel snacks (granola bars and the like). I brought two of these, one in use and one in "packed" form in the big bag. On the way back, we used the backup one to fit souvenirs. Dad didn't bring a carry-on, so he got the souvenir bag.

Almost A Wooden Bird > Tohru 11/10/2014 at 09:55

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This is great! Both of these bags seems like an awesome travel companion