There are benefits to traveling solo, but you also need to be prepared for anything.
MANILA, Philippines — A longtime flight attendant shares some packing hacks she learned from more than a decade of working in the air.
Retailer House of Fraser asked Emily, who has been a flight attendant for 16 years, to share her packing tips for travelers (including frequent fliers).
Here are some of Emily's travel tips.
Prioritize must-have items
For those who travel frequently or enjoy staycations, Emily offers travel essentials such as toiletries, medications, sunscreen, adapters, and power banks to make it easier to prepare for your next trip. I suggested that you pack them in your bag in advance.
Please do not bring hardcover suitcases
“Passengers often think that hardshell suitcases are more durable than cloth suitcases, but the opposite is actually true,” Emily explained. “Hardcovers can easily break under the pressure of other bags if you pack everything together. [cargo] Owned. “
Emily recommended using a more durable cloth suitcase instead. If possible, we recommended using a brightly colored suitcase so you can find it quickly when taking it out. She cautioned against using suitcases made of white fabric as they would get dirty faster.
Related: Are you going on a solo trip?International flight attendants share practical tips and hacks
Emily also revealed a surprising observation. A suitcase with four wheels is not as durable or reliable as a suitcase with two wheels. Therefore, she said she avoids using them.
Do not bring multiple items
For those who like to do a lot of OOTDs while traveling, this can be a tough pill to swallow.
Emily advised that for short trips, it's more practical to travel with just a carry-on bag or backpack to avoid waiting in the baggage carousel.
However, the smaller the bag, the less you will need to carry. She said planning her outfit ahead of time makes a big difference.
She adds that a few T-shirts, underwear, a pair of sneakers, jeans, a jacket, coat or dress should be enough.
Please bring baby wipes
Although it is common knowledge among travelers that only liquids of 100ml or less are allowed on board, there is still the possibility of liquids leaking due to changes in cabin pressure.
Related: Filipinos plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than the previous year
So Emily suggested bringing wipes or pads to prevent or wipe up spills.
Additionally, Emily advised storing important documents such as passports in clear ziplock bags.
Refrain from bringing in fresh food
“Food and drinks can be packed in suitcases as long as they are properly packaged and protected from leakage,” Emily said. “Avoid items with strong odors as they may attract the attention of the sniffer dogs at customs.”
Examples of munchies that are prohibited when traveling abroad include cold cuts, cheese, and fresh produce.
See if you can lift the bag
It may sound simple, but Emily's final suggestion is to avoid overpacking, exceeding the weight limit, and using bags that are too heavy.
“If you can't lift it yourself and put it in the overhead bin, it's too heavy for us as attendants, and we don't want to hurt our backs lifting it,” Emily concluded.
Related: Hong Kong continues to be top destination as Filipino tourists increase
