Packing can be a tedious chore. Choosing what to pack seems a little time-consuming. There is so much to bring and such a limited space to fit it all in. This cannot be truer with carry-on luggage. While it may seem unimportant at first, as you go through the packing process, you begin to realize just how important your carry-on is. The contents of your carry-on luggage will be the only things you have with you during a flight. You will be totally isolated from everything else you brought along with you; there is also the possibility of the airline losing your luggage. If that happens, you’ll have a few days with nothing except the clothes on your back and that handy-dandy piece of carry-on luggage. Here are a few essential things to pack in your carry-on luggage.

 

10. Games

 

This can come in the form of books, for those that have crossword or sudoku puzzles, or handheld consoles, for those with a Nintendo DS or PSP. When it comes to brainless entertainment that involves a little competitiveness, even if it’s just about finishing that one puzzle that has been bugging you, nothing beats these. Plane rides can be awfully boring, make sure your carry-on luggage has some games to alleviate the tedium.

 

9. Tissue

 

The trouble with long flights is that you’re going to need little trips to the cramped restroom on the plane. Hopefully, the attendants are vigilant about the conditions of the restroom, but given that it caters to the needs of an entire plane, it’s be safer to have your own roll of tissue. At least on the off chance that the restroom has run out, you have your own. Besides, it’s not like tissue only uses in the restroom. There is a chance that you might get a cold or spill your airline-provided drink. It’s better to have your own tissue to blow your nose. If you do spill something, instead of having to wait for a cabin attendant to approach you with that wonderful two-ply while your tray drips, you can just reach into your back and wipe the spill off. It saves you and your things from getting too wet.

 

8. A Small Pillow

 

For those long overnight flights, comfort is of the utmost importance. If your flight just takes an hour, you can probably put up with a little discomfort. Chances are though, your flight will take much longer than that and you want to be comfortable. For long flights, the pillow is useful for head support or for providing some comfort to your lower back, especially if you want to sleep. Ideally, the pillow you bring should not be too big as to not fit into a manageable bag. It shouldn’t be so small that it doesn’t provide comfort or support, however.

 

7. A Book

 

Amusement during flights is always important. If you’re lucky, you’ll get an in-flight movie. If you’re really lucky, it might actually be a movie you want to see or wouldn’t mind seeing again. You have to be sure that you’ll end up getting your entertainment one way or another so bring a book, but not just any book. Don’t try to accomplish that lifelong goal of finally slogging through Nabokov or Sartre on a plane. You may love the works, but in planes, especially if you’re not flying first-class, think about all the little annoyances and distractions you’re going to have to contend with. You may sit beside someone who snores. You might end up sitting in front of a person who just can’t seem to stop herself from kicking your seat. You may end up getting an aisle seat with a seatmate who has to go to the restroom every fifteen minutes. You can end up sitting beside a crying baby. There are too many contingencies that can get in the way of a full appreciation of the book.

 

So take a book that won’t make too many demands on your brain. Take light reading, something that will make you chuckle. Take a book that is enjoyable and engrossing yet surprisingly tra-la-la. This way, no matter the contingency that pops up, it won’t severely damage your reading experience and the quality of your entertainment.

 

6. Lip Balm

 

People’s lips tend to dry up when in flight. Dry lips lead to cracking, possibly even bleeding so it’s necessary to have some lip balm to keep your lips from cracking. Avoid that kind of discomfort. Avoid the minor bleeding. Avoid the nagging skin off your lip that you’ll be tempted to bite off. Avoid feeling unattractive because your lips are peeling. Avoid the pain when the skin cracks. Just avoid all of that because it doesn’t go away after one day, you know. Save yourself the trouble and bring some lip balm on board. (Want to create your own lip balm, read how to make chapped lip balm)

 

5. Jacket

 

You never know if you’re going to get cold up there. The temperature won’t adjust to you so be prepared for the possibility that you’re going to feel a little bit cold. Bring a jacket; it’s only sensible to do so. It will help keep you warm in case you get cold, which keeps you from getting sick or being extremely uncomfortable. Who knows, you might not even be able to sleep just because you feel cold. Why deny yourself some sleep you could have had if you’d only brought a jacket with you?

 

4. Gum or Mints

 

When the plane starts to ascend or when the pilot begins to land the plane, the air pressure changes and that’s why you get that weird feeling in your ears. Your hearing is hampered and it feels like something is trying to push your eardrums in. It’s actually quite painful and dangerous. To counteract this, chew gum or eat some candy to make sure that the pressure in your ears isn’t too strong. It counteracts that effect and lessens the possibility of any long-term negative effect that pressure can have. It also saves you a lot of pain and helps keep you comfortable in the process.

 

3. A Change of Clothes and Underwear

 

There is always the possibility that the airline will lose your luggage. Don’t think it could never happen to you because it totally could. This is not to say that you’ll never get your luggage back, but you may not have your clothes for a day or two. Instead of possibly having to wear the same clothes for two days, or rushing to the nearest store for a change of clothes, make sure that your carry-on luggage already has a change of clothes in case you need it. You may not end up needing it, but if it you do you’re well prepared. Traveling is a lot like the Boy or Girl Scouts sometimes: be prepared.

 

2. iPod Video (or other such contraptions)

 

Honestly, it doesn’t really need to be an iPod. It’s just that if it has the option of loading videos for that pesky chance of the in-flight movie not being to your liking. A simple music player may also be sufficient because it still serves the purpose of blocking out the rest of the world.

 

Out of all entertainment possibilities, this makes it to number two because out of all entertainment possibilities, it is also the one that will help you ignore all the possible distraction there can be. It is also the single item you can have in your carry-on bag that works nicely with any activity you may wish to engage in as the flight progresses. If you want to sleep, you can listen to music as you do so. If you want to play games or answer puzzles, you can listen to music so as not to be distracted. If you want to read, you can listen to music to help set your mood and match the tone of the book. It’s just so versatile that it had to rank high up the list.

 

1. Money

 

Why would you leave home without money? You should always have money. When you travel, your carry-on should have cash. You won’t necessarily use it during the flight, but it’s important to try and keep it on your person as much as possible. Remember that it’s better to always have money where you can have most access to it. Besides, what if you want to buy some of those in-flight snacks they sell apart from the meals they’re going to serve?

 

Pack your bags.

 

These are the essentials when traveling. If you like to pack light, make sure you have these at least because their usefulness doesn’t just end on a plane. Once you land, you’re probably still going to use them. Never board a plane without them because if you always have them with you, the exercise of traveling becomes a whole lot more comfortable and whole lot more fun. For more information regarding this article, read how to pack light.