How to pack for 10-15 days?

[CMI]

I wanted to get some ideas of how some of you pack for longer rotations on the road (10-15 days).

Do you bring five pairs of everything, and then wash clothes twice?

Can you fit everything into a 22" carryon bag? (Company policy).

How many uniform shirts?

Do you bring stuff that can be washed in the hotel sink?

Cotton vs. Synthetic?

*Moderator*

Please do not move this to another section. A lot of 135 companies are now requiring longer rotations. This is very relevant to this section!

 

[Pattern-Master]

I pack for five days and do laundry as needed at hotel. In winter you can wear uniform shirt for a few days before it gets ripe and summer maybe two days. Some FBOs have washer and dryers, which i use when i am on airport standby or waiting for pax. I know of someone who uses those vacuum pack type bags which really compacts everything. You will figure it out as you go.

 

[Jack Mehoff]

I can get 6 uniform "rolls" in the 22 bag with room for street cloths and workout cloths. key is rolling up the inform undershirts, socks and boxers then stacking them along the bag. carry lots of quarters do laundry when you can because you don't know when the next place that has it will be.

 

[landlover]

a bigger bag will solve this problem, is that an option?

 

[CMI]

a bigger bag will solve this problem, is that an option?

A lot of guys/gals I work with have the international bags. I don't think work is enforcing the carry-on policy. Maybe, they need to update the policy as it was written for an 8 day rotation. However, if anyone has a way to do it in a smaller bag sometimes less is better.

 

[Wankel7]

Wear a Tshirt with the uniform shirt and plan on doing laundry on the road. I would travel with baggies of laundry soap, dryer sheets, quarters, and a small stick of that stain fighter for the collar. They normally sell soap at the hotels but a lot of times they are out and it saves a lot of hassle.

When I flew cargo on 19 day rotations I would bring three synthetic undershirts and boxers and do sink laundry.

 

[greed]

Don't worry it gets easier with each rotation. I got to the point where I was good for a 17 day rotation as long as I did not buy anything on my trips.

Blue skies!

 

[rumrnr78]

Good suggestions from the group. I highly suggest the Under Armour Tactical T-Shirts. Pricey, but well worth it! Wash in the hotel bathroom sink and hang over shower curtain rod they are dry in a few hours. If time is tight hit it with the hair dryer. I bought a 3 pack off Ebay. They pack small.

When I went back to Savannah for G school and to wait for a/c delivery, I packed 5 days of clothing and did laundry (Residence Inn had free machines and soap/dryer sheets! Other Residence Inns do charge so it's up to the owner)

In our contract, laundry is paid if over 6 days on the road so I can drop off at front desk, is that option for you? I prefer to do my own, but I am nuts.

Cheers-

Rum

 

[jonjuan]

I can get 6 uniform "rolls" in the 22 bag with room for street cloths and workout cloths. key is rolling up the inform undershirts, socks and boxers then stacking them along the bag. carry lots of quarters do laundry when you can because you don't know when the next place that has it will be.

What if you wear a thong?

 

[Kikuchiyo]

I would travel with baggies of laundry soap

They make "laundry sheets" now. Smaller, and better than having the bag with the detergent tear inside your suitcase. Purex is one brand, but there's others, too.

Also, when washing in the hotel sink, just use the little bottle of free shampoo they provide. Works fine for a handful of pairs of skivvies, socks, and undershirts. As others have said, any material other than 100% cotton will dry quickly. I like the 60/40 blend undershirts from JC Penney (Stratford brand I think). They'll easily dry in a few hours hung in the room.

We did 18-day international rotations, and I lived out of a 26" bag without a problem. 3 uniform shirts, 2 uniform pants, 1 or 2 pairs civilian pants and a couple polos, 6 pair skivvies and socks, 3 undershirts, workout clothes, and a jacket.

 

[osy007]

I always pack one pair of jeans and make it last all week long..12 pairs of skid mark holders..1 pair of sneakers..1 pair workout shorts..3 nice shirts..3 p.o.s. tee shirts..3 long locks..3 work socks..1 uniform pant and 2 uniform shirts.I can usually use my white uniform shirt for 3 shifts before having to switch to the backup..As for the jeans and uniform pants, I just use them for the whole rotation and don't even worry about washing them..It all fits into one carry-on bag....

 

[starcheckdriver]

Just go commando! It frees up a lot of room in the suitcase!

 

[milehigh6080]

Visit onebag.com and spend some time browsing around there, you're likely to at least find a few good tips. I've lived for a month out of one bag with little difficulty by following some of his advice.

 

[amaineiac]

When I started doing 7 day tours, I bought a set of 3 small packing cubes. http://www.ebags.com/the-ebags-brand/learnmore/packing_cubes

Best thing I ever bought. I'm able to pack for 8 days, 9 if I really have to, with a 22 in roller board. Anything more than 9, I have to do laundry. Each cube holds 2 uniform shirts, 2 t-shirts, 2 boxers, and 2 pairs of socks.

1 pair of zip out cargo pants, a fleece pullover, and as others have mentioned, a synthetic T-shirt that's easy to wash in the sink if you need to. I also pack a few washer/dryer sheets as others have mentioned. They come in handy and take up little to no space.

 

[ProFracPilot]

I work an 8 day tour. I have a LW22" with the zipper pockets down each side. I pack 7 changes of undershorts (in one side pocket), uniform socks (in the other side pocket), under shirts, 3 uniform shirts, T-shirt, polo, jeans, 2nd pair uniform pants, sneakers, 2 pair white socks, shaving kit. The key for me is tightly rolling the Tshirts, polo and shorts. Flip-flops go in the back pocket. I carry an iPad and it goes into the padded laptop pocket in front. This isn't a complete list of everything that I can cram into this bag, but you get the idea. I have a small soft side duffel that I usually also carry. Into this goes a workout shirt and shorts, cargo shorts, extra T-shirts or another polo, and any winter gear I might need.

 

[CMI]

I just want to thank everyone for their input. I'm trying out some of the suggestions this month. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.

 

[metrodriver]

I do 20 day trips with very long duty days. A 22" bag holds everything for winter and summer. The synthetic t-shirts are great. You get them at Ross or even thrift stores (new tags still attached) for a few dollars. A couple of nylon running /swim shorts work great as underwear (and don't scare anyone when it is bunk time), swimming, exercise and sleepwear. All this stuff is lightweight, quick drying, wrinkle free. Sweater (thin fleece), pair of jeans (heaviest item in my bag), 1 short sleeved dress shirt that matches my jeans or uniform pants (business casual). Pants with zip-off legs (use them as shorts or long pants for walking / hiking on lay-overs). A pair of sneakers or hiking boots depending on season, and that's where socks and shorts go into. If it doesn't compress, fill it up! And a pair of Keen sandals for pool, beach, or warm climate wear. Two uniform shirts -really can do with one since that's the first thing to come of once on the plane, advantage of flying boxes. 1 pair of pants (company pays laundry after a couple of days). As an active swimmer I use Speedo Performance jammers swimwear: this material is light weight, dries very quick and holds up very well when used in chlorine- or salt water or when put away wet. I also use them as compression shorts for exercise / hiking. Previous Nike shorts of same price fell apart after 3 month, these last years. A small backpack, inflatable neck pillow and airline blanket complement this. All together the whole bag weighs less than 30 lbs.
My flight bag contains laptop, flash light, noise cancelling headset, documents, light rain jacket and pants (I walk a lot and don't want to be pinned down by weather, also handy for preflights in the pouring rain or blowing snow) and other nick-nacks that are handy on the flight deck.

When travelling as a passenger (which equals to about 150k miles a year) and I have to check my bag (never check my flight bag off course) I use my backpack to make an emergency kit in case my bag gets lost: sandals, hiking boots, swimshorts, sweater, t-shirt, zip-off pants, pillow. I always wear my uniform pants and shoes, and either the uniform shirt or the dress shirt (the uniform shirt will be in the backpack in that case). So now if my bag gets lost and starts chasing me around the world I have my uniform, I can go to the pool (while my underwear, socks and uniform are drying after being washed), go for a walk or go for a bite to eat. The rain jacket is enough to keep me warm and dry.

For the sink laundry I carry a couple of hotel shampoo bottles filled with detergent and softener. The bar of soap does wonders for stains. I carry several wooden cloth pins, and everything gets pinned to the a/c unit and in an hour (sometimes a few hours) everything is dry. Wash your stuff when you walk into your hotel room, and when you wake up everything is ready to go.

One question you have to ask yourself: do you really need a new t-shirt, underwear or socks everyday? If you sweat a lot, yes. If you don't and only sit in your seat the whole day then there is a way to reduce the amount of stuff you carry with you. Washing your underwear and socks when you get to your room can reduce these items to 2 pair each, no kidding. Same for uniform shirt.

 

[climbhappy]

ya'll sound like a bunch of prissy sorority girls.."i pack extra absorbent for heavy days, and liners and deodorant tampons for hot days." cmon...i want to someone else with honesty to say they turn underwear and in out at least twice...and you can get extra use by washing your a$$..if you're regular, you won't leave alot of fudge in your ass to "brownstreak" your underwear..

socks are good for two weeks...

of course, going sans underwear is good for a couple of days...

shampoo works good fo doing shirts in the sink.....i just wear flip flops whick pack easy to work out in...one workout uniform...fuk it if it smells, you'll be sweating anyway..and just pack in a plastic laundry bag ..

 

[emspilot 01]

ya'll sound like a bunch of prissy sorority girls.."i pack extra absorbent for heavy days, and liners and deodorant tampons for hot days." cmon...i want to someone else with honesty to say they turn underwear and in out at least twice...and you can get extra use by washing your a$$..if you're regular, you won't leave alot of fudge in your ass to "brownstreak" your underwear..

socks are good for two weeks...

of course, going sans underwear is good for a couple of days...

shampoo works good fo doing shirts in the sink.....i just wear flip flops whick pack easy to work out in...one workout uniform...fuk it if it smells, you'll be sweating anyway..and just pack in a plastic laundry bag ..

Hey climbhappy,
That is one sick post!

 

[climbhappy]

Hey climbhappy,
That is one sick post!

where would we be if we didn't joke about this profession? :laugh: