How to pack for 10-15 days?

[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: