![\"jl\"](\"http:\/\/www.decisionsciencenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/jl.jpg\" "\\"jl\\"")
<\/p>\nA PACKING LIST AND MORE<\/p>\n
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Esquire recently posted some of Anthony Bourdain’s travel tips<\/a>. Some good stuff there. Seeing the list reminded the editorial team at Decision Science News that we’ve always wanted to do a post on this. We travel a lot.<\/p>\n A PACKING LIST SAVES US TIME AND PREVENTS ERRORS This packing list is based on one that David Allen (of Getting Things Done<\/a> fame) shared. We’ve modified it to suit our needs. We pack from a list every trip. It gets packing time down to 20 minutes and zero errors. Here is the PDF<\/a> (source<\/a> for editing), ready to print four-per-page.<\/p>\n =ESSENTIALS GETTING A PHONE WITH FREE GLOBAL DATA WAS GAME CHANGING<\/strong><\/p>\n Since we moved from Verizon to t-mobile, our phone now works everywhere in the world and gets free data everywhere in the world. Much better than schlepping around a second unlocked phone and switching sim cards.<\/p>\n INFLATABLE NECK PILLOWS MAKE US FEEL GOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n For a long time, we looked at those silly looking people with their neck pillows and felt superior. Then we tried one. They really make you feel better. We’ve tried four kinds, including some expensive ones, but our favorite is the Samsonite Inflatable Neck Pillow<\/a>.\u00a0 It folds up to an impossibly small size and disappears so you won’t look a doofus marching around the airport with one tied to your bag.<\/p>\n IT’S NOT THE JET LAG, IT’S THE SLEEP DEPRIVATION<\/strong><\/p>\n More information<\/a>.<\/p>\n BOARDING TIME CAN BE UP TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE PUBLISHED BOARDING TIME<\/strong><\/p>\n This matters if you have status with the airline and get to board first. If you show up at the time on the ticket, you may be boarding with group 4.<\/p>\n WE PREVENT LIQUIDS FROM LEAKING THIS WAY<\/strong><\/p>\n Two things. 1) Squeeze a little air out 2) Put a little square of plastic wrap over the mouth of the bottle. Screw the cap on. Voila.<\/p>\n WE LIKE RETRACTABLE USB CORDS<\/strong><\/p>\n Like these<\/a>. Keeps things tidy and untangled. Apologize to the squirrels who were nesting in your bag.<\/p>\n WE LIKE INTERNATIONAL PLUG ADAPTERS WITH BUILT-IN USB PORTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Like these<\/a>. Use your computer and charge your phone at the same time. Amaze your friends with what you can charge in one outlet, anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n WE LIKE COMPRESSION BAGS<\/strong><\/p>\n Like these<\/a>. They make your stuff, especially winter stuff, take up less space. And they act as laundry bags for the return trip. And they will keep a wet bathing suit from getting the rest of your stuff wet. And you don’t need a vacuum cleaner to use them. Just seal and roll. The air escapes through magical one-way valves. Not recommended for things that wrinkle easily. BTW, dry cleaning bags do a pretty good job of keeping things wrinkle free.<\/p>\n MEMORIZING OUR PASSPORT NUMBER WAS WORTH IT<\/strong><\/p>\n If you travel internationally a lot, this is more useful than it sounds. You get asked for it surprisingly often, and you never feel like digging up your passport when filling out forms. We even have advice on how to remember long numbers<\/a>. Lock it in once and you’re good for life.<\/p>\n SWIM DON’T RUN<\/strong><\/p>\n And avoid packing an extra pair of shoes for exercise. We read about this in an interview once.<\/p>\n WE TRY NOT TO BOOK FLIGHTS THAT DEPART BETWEEN 11AM and 10PM <\/strong><\/p>\n This helps us avoid flight delays<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSocks
\nUnderwear
\nT-shirts short + long sleeve
\nShirts
\nPants
\nShoes
\nBelt
\nGlasses + contacts
\nRazor + cord
\n=FITNESS
\nSneakers
\nExercise clothes
\nBathing suit
\n=BUSINESS ONLY
\nDress shirts
\nDress pants
\nSuit or jacket
\nTie
\nCufflinks #so easy to forget
\n=WEATHER DEPENDING
\nSunglasses
\nSandals
\nShorts
\nSunscreen
\nUmbrella
\nGloves
\nCoat
\nSweater
\n=IN WALLET
\nBusiness cards
\nAirport lounge ID card
\n=IN WALLET-INTERNATIONAL
\nForeign credit cards
\nForeign transit cards (UK: Oyster; NL: OV Chip)
\n=IN CARRY ON
\nToiletries ziploc
\nPhone + headphones w\/ microphone
\nHoodie #avoid freezing on the plane
\nInflatable Neck pillow #see below
\nLaptop + charger
\nUSB wall plug adapter
\nRetractable micro USB cord #see below
\nPlane\/train\/car\/hotel info
\nMaps (cached to phone) + directions
\nUSB memory sticks
\nConference programme
\nPrescription medicine
\n=IN CARRY ON-INTERNATIONAL
\nPassport
\nForeign currency
\nForeign plug adapters #see below
\n=DO BEFORE LEAVING
\nWeather checked?
\nComputer synced?
\nPresentation to USB and emailed to self?
\nWithdrew cash?
\nChecked in + chosen seats?<\/p>\n