frequent internationl travel, got the job!

[herm0016]

I am in the process of getting a job that will require me to travel to an international location and back, spending 1 month on location and getting the next one off back home. I am predicting my travel time will be between 20 and 30 hrs, flying from Denver to the west coast, then across the pacific, then one or two flights when i arrive across the pond depending on my location.

I am seeking travel tips and advice for your favorite carry on and check luggage bags. I will be carrying an HP elite book 15in mobile workstation at about 7lbs+ with power brick, and all the normal business stuff such as pens, pencils, engineers scale, business cards, a few thumb drives in place of my external hard drive, safety glasses, note pad, head phones, etc... I will use these bags for travel, and for my field work, I am looking for something fairly bomb proof. My work is very rough on equipment.

I think that 2 bags will be best, one laptop bag that is not too large, and one carry on bag for a change of clothes, some toiletries, and other things. I should have a space to store things on location for my days off, but am not sure.

i am currently thinking about picking up a bag from http://www.redoxx.com/

also looking at http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/ and all the normal bag companies.

What are your favorite bags and carry styles for long distance travel?

cliffs:
international travel every month
need some great carry on luggage and tips for travel.


update:
woo. got the job. going to be working in australia!

 

[Kroze]

- Active Noise cancelling headphone such as Bose & Sennheiser.

- Plenty of drinking water with you. Stay hydrated throughout the flight or else suffer the consequences.

- Bring baby wipes, lots of it. Wipe your face and body often, you'll feel refreshed and clean and heavenly

- Sit in the aisle seat when possible so you can just get up and go to the bathroom.

 

[Farang]

Can you sleep on planes? If not, any night flight, isle. any long flight, isle. Most likely you'll have sleepers next to you so it's nice to move freely.

Make sure your luggage situation allows you to carry it all on for domestic flights. For international, I find there is a lot more downtime/curiosity and maybe more importantly lines to drag your shit through, opt for a small pack with high value items and the rest, check. My thought is its easy to hop off and on domestic, intl you will be walking throug many slow lines and whatever you have to take with you is a liability.

I hate transpacific redeyes. You end up with like 22 hours of straight darkness. The flight is very unpleasant because the lights are off the whole time, discouraging free movement around the deck.

Most every time a premier class attendant sees you at the counter, regardless of class, they find its easier just to check you in than to hassle you. Most people screw up because they get caught in line. Those signs at check in are for suckers

I dont know how much you have to worry about specific luggage aside from the spacing a suitability for you. Most trips luggage is being handled a very small part of the time

 

[OlafSicky]

Use Vaseline on your butt before you go on the plane. If you have to go on a plane you will use less toilet paper most of the time planes don't have enough or none at all. Also bring diarrhea medication with you.

On major tip, be prepared to look for another job. I had a job where I traveled internationally a lot and it was fun for a little while than it became hell. If you have been stuck in a hotel for a week just imagine being stuck in one for a month. Rental apartments might be better but they still suck even the very nice ones.
When you arrive at your location look for places to eat other than the hotel. I always ask the hotel staff for a restaurant but I have never had a good recommendation from them. If you will be going back to that location on regular basis try to find a FWB.

 

[ringtail]

``

 

[Svnla]

I travel oversea at least a few times a year.

You can have two (2) items to bring with you onto the airplane. One is a carry on with the size of 22 x 14 x 9 and another one is a small bag (laptop or purse or whatever). Check in bag(s) is either one or two with no charge depends on airline.

You need to wear comfortable clothes (layers to put on or off) because they will be on your body for hours, comfy shoes that are easy to take on/off, don't forget to move around on the plane to stretch, don't drink alcohol, wash your hands and watch what you drink/eat in developing countries, be nice/courtesy to the locals, don't be an "ugly American" and I am not talking about the look.

Flights from US to oversea are longer than when you fly back.

 

[Viper Frag]

Go with TUMI travel bags. I've had them for years and been travelling all over. Very reliable, and yes definitly get an aisle seat.

 

[KMFJD]

Avoid North American based airlines if possible

 

[herm0016]

good tips. I will be traveling to drilling locations/ field camps. at times, i work for 30+ hrs already, wear the same clothes for long periods of time. I spend some sleep time in an F350, or a small bench in the back of a kenworth.

This should be an interesting experence.

I will look up the tumi bags.

 

[Exterous]

OP do you get to pick your own airlines or do you have to fly a particular one? Asia has some great airlines you can fly with service that will greatly overshadow anything you can get in a NA airline. Cathay Pacific and Singapore airlines come to mind and I have heard decent things about Qantas.

If you have to stick with a particular airline you might be able to cheat depending on the airline. For example if you are required to fly AA you can go to American Airlines website and actually book a code-shared flight on Cathay Pacific to certain destinations. So your work sees the good little lackey who booked an approved AA flight while you get to experience the joys of flying Cathay Pacific.

You have a great opportunity to wrack up some frequent flier miles and hotel points which - despite what many will tell you - can be an incredible asset when booking your own vacations. Flyertalk has all kinds of great information about travel (business and pleasure), flights, reward programs and redemptions.

Also - if you are travelling that much I would look into the Global Entry program. Only costs $100 (which your work might reimburse you for)and is good for 5 years. It can make for much shorter customs lines when entering the US and qualifies you for TSA Pre-check (leave shoes on, laptop in bag type of stuff). Certain credit cards will cover the cost of this as well (ex: Amex Platinum)

Flights from US to oversea are longer than when you fly back.

Time depends on what direction you fly not a generic 'overseas'. Generally flights to the west will be longer than flights to the east due to headwinds

 

[ringtail]

``

 

[BoomerD]

Are you leaving Bridger?

 

[SSSnail]

Most importantly, find a group of airlines that you'd like to fly most on and get on their program. For where you're going, get with Star Alliance, find the hotels that will give you points as well with Star Alliance. Once you've amassed the required miles, you can use their lounges for free. If you don't have the privileges already, then pay for the first year. It's WELL worth it.

Don't buy expensive carry-on luggage, get stuff that are sturdy, and you aren't afraid of banging into shits with. Get something that you can roll with, but on a pinch, you can sit on it. Go to Ross or TJ Max, or something similar and look for one. You don't need a $500 rolling carry-on. It's a waste, and is stupid. Do get TSA compliant locks, or luggage with TSA compliant locks.

Since you can carry two carry-ons, get a small bag that you can carry your immediate necessities as well such as your frequently use electronics, passport, paperwork, pens, condoms, etc... Wait, no condoms? Well, carry some anyways. This will save you from digging into your bigger carry-on with the laptop and other work related stuff.

Buy a rolling carry-on that can house your work stuff, like this fine Samsonite bag here http://www.ebags.com/product/samsoni...uctid=10137317. In fact, buy two, because they're disposable. This has enough room to carry all your work stuff. Believe me.

Do buy waterproof bags to put your toiletries in, you'll appreciate them.

Buy a universal plug adapter, like this here http://www.amazon.com/Insten-Univers.../dp/B000YN01X4. You know what? Buy a few.

Oh, and when you buy your large check-in luggage, make sure it has a strap. This strap will come in handy when you need to loop it through your rolling carry-on, to pull everything with one hand. Makes your life a lot easier when you're running from terminal to terminal.

Oh, and do study the TSA's ban list and what they say you can't bring on the plane more than you've study for any test. It will make your life A LOT easier. Never travel with shoes with laces.

Go forth and conquer grasshopper. I'll let you know what you can do with the condoms next time, once you've gotten a few trips under your belt.

Edit: And, once you've gotten in with the Star Alliance group, and increase your clout, then try to get EMERGENCY EXIT sits through superior membership. Or, at least get your work to pay for upgrade to economy plus (because I doubt that they're flying you business), check in early and choose your seats.

 

[Fingolfin269]

You're flying international on business. I hope that means you're flying business class at the very least. If you're flying star alliance and heading to Japan then I'd highly recommend All Nippon. Their new 777 biz class concept is great.

 

[silverpig]

TUMI is good. I have Briggs and Riley myself and love it.

 

[herm0016]

Are you with Transocean???

nope.

Are you leaving Bridger?

?? never worked for them. If you mean location, I will probably be moving down to Denver.

 

[brianmanahan]

Use Vaseline on your butt before you go on the plane. If you have to go on a plane you will use less toilet paper most of the time planes don't have enough or none at all. Also bring diarrhea medication with you.

 

[notposting]

Are you going to China? Might want to consider electronics specifically for your travel, not your regular gear (not sure if any other countries are as bad).

Man up, and look at Saddleback Leather for one of your bags Sounds like with as much travel you will do, the bag should break in quickly also

 

[BoomerD]

nope.




?? never worked for them. If you mean location, I will probably be moving down to Denver.

OK, for some reason, I thought you moved to RS to work for Bridger Coal. :shrug:

 

[Pia]

Tom Bihn has a range of bags specifically optimized for carry-on. Aeronaut, Western Flyer, etc. I have used one of their smaller shoulder bags daily for years. It looks as good as new, and the ergonomics are better than on any other bag I've seen.

 

[MrSquished]

Eagle Creek for a good wheeled carry on. Often international airline carry on sizes are smaller than US airlines.

Tom Bihn makes great bags for your other option.

 

[Imp]

If you want to look like George Clooney or Anna Kendrick in 'Up in the Air', buy a Travelpro Rollaboard bag!

I looked this up... All the luggage in the movie is from Travelpro.

http://www.amazon.com/Travelpro/e/2210626011

 

[Leros]

Use Vaseline on your butt before you go on the plane. If you have to go on a plane you will use less toilet paper most of the time planes don't have enough or none at all. Also bring diarrhea medication with you.

Is this a fat people problem?

 

[herm0016]

woo. got the job. going to be working in australia!

 

[Jimzz]

woo. got the job. going to be working in australia!

Australia can be very costly. Are they providing room and board or a very good salary?