How to pack for 10-15 days?

[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:

 

[emspilot 01]

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

In a lot better job?:beer:

 

[Fly91]

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!

Seriously.....just pack for 5 days and do two washes.....there's your 15 days.

.

 

[CMI]

Seriously.....just pack for 5 days and do two washes.....there's your 15 days.

.

Must be nice to fly part 91. The sink ends up being the washing machine at most hotels. Trying to fit in washing clothes on 10 hrs off can be time consuming if you need to eat and sleep etc...

 

[landlover]

Must be nice to fly part 91. The sink ends up being the washing machine at most hotels. Trying to fit in washing clothes on 10 hrs off can be time consuming if you need to eat and sleep etc...

most 91 ops allow for laundry service paid by the company. Min rest and trying to knock out laundry sucks, been there and had to wear the stinky Tshirt. I once went in the back of the airplane when i flew cargo in a Falcon20. The co pilot had his wet laundry spread out all over the place.

 

[freightdogfred]

you can get 4 days out of one pair of drawers...by swapping inside out, the back to front

 

[Fly91]

Must be nice to fly part 91. The sink ends up being the washing machine at most hotels. Trying to fit in washing clothes on 10 hrs off can be time consuming if you need to eat and sleep etc...

Some may call BS on this.....but screw the company sometimes. When I flew Part 135 and simply had absolutely nothing clean....I told them I'm doing wash the next morning and if there's a trip it WILL wait for me. Screw them.....can't fly around with skid marks in your underwear.

Maybe that's why I'm all 91 now......the 135 world is just full of scumbags.....meaning owners and management. And of course some pilots too...especially the ones who dont stand up for themselves and actually CAUSE the problems we have in 135 to continue because they are sell-outs.....I'll have no part of 135 ever again.

Travel around the world with dirty laundry.....yea, that'll be the day.....lol

 

[CMI]

This video has helped me pack a tight bag full of clothes. The guy who makes the video has more tutorials on You Tube.

How to Ranger Roll Army T-Shirt - The Best Tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so93nqxZLjM

 

[Pattern-Master]

Alot of FBOs have washing machines and dryers that they will let you use, i do it all the time and you dont need a pocket full of quarters.