1. The PamBee. I got this in New York for about $60 but it's gone up since then which is a shame. I go mental if I travel in economy and don't have this with me. I don't mind using the on-board blankets and stuff when I'm on break and operating the flight, but find after a long period of usage there's a lot of static build up, or sometimes when outstations wash yak-soiled blankets with regular ones there's a horrible smell that lingers. This is, by far, the best thing I have purchased for frequent travel since getting this job.

2. MUJI jersey travel slippers. More comfy than wearing socks, and more hygienic, especially for toilet trips. Takes up very little room, has it's own pouch and is completely washable!

3. MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Spray. The air inside the cabin is very dehydrating, and this stuff works wonders. Expensive in Australia and difficult to find in Dubai, I get mine from Ebay for half the price. Of course when I do travel it's in a 70ml spray bottle suitable for any LAGS bag.

4. BOSE In Ear Headphones. I originally bought these to replace my broken iPod headphones, but find that I can sleep with these on more comfortably. Used either with my iPod touch or on the aircraft, I find the on-board headphones tend to be quite painful to lean on, especially if you have freakishly small ears like I do.

5. My Laptop or iPod touch. So I can surf the net whilst waiting for my flight to board.

Some things I don't do when I travel as a passenger -

1. Buy Duty Free. Unless I cannot get the same product at DXB arrivals (i.e. Iranian Caviar for example) then it's not worth the lugging around from security check, to plane, to quarantine etc.

2. Dress down. If the flight is overbooked there tends to be upgrades. Walk up to the check in counter looking like this and you will have no chance of being one of the lucky few.

Though I have from experience flown people decked out in flannelette and VB tank tops on flights from Auckland in Business Class and believe this to be the only exception, or a gross mistake on Check-In's part. I'm more inclined to go with the latter.

3. Pack the cabin bag to weigh more than 10kg. I guess with a laptop it's pretty difficult, but considering nowadays flying out of Perth they weigh your cabin bag and force you to check it in if it is over the limit, if I can do without it on board it belongs in the suitcase.

Also, if you guys have any tips or suggestions, would love to hear them :-)

Labels: Airline Stuff, Holidays, Random Thoughts