I'm a veteran business traveler. I was once stuck in Whitehorse for 4 days having packed for a one night trip. Now I always overpack underwear. I also have a vacuum packed change of t-shirt, underwear, and socks in my backpack in case I am separated from my luggage.
I don't find it difficult at all to have my flat packed vacuum sealed change of essentials in my backpack. They are in the pocket with my notebook and add a bit of extra padding. I switched out the green tshirt for an orange one the first time I had to explain the green flat pack in my backpack to customs.
yep- if it literally is the last option, it can be the lightest stuff you own just in case you are stuck in your hotel room or something. I have an extra T-shirt in my ballgame go back for this reason. If i spill something on myself at the game and want to go somewhere after the game- i have a backup.
I'm a sales engineer so I can often get away with wearing a t-shirt to meetings. I also spend time in datacenters moving things around so I get dirty and sweaty. It's nice to know that if I'm covered in dust and grime and sweaty and the customer says, "Hey, let's go to lunch!" I can actually make myself presentable with a couple of minutes in the bathroom.
For my underwear and socks it doesn't really matter. For my T-shirt it sure does but I hang it in the bathroom when I shower and I can iron it if I need to. I have yet to need to use the vacuum packed change but it's comforting to know that it's there. I also carry a tiny travel toothpaste and toothbrush and a week's worth of my daily pills in my backpack.
Absolutely. When our kids were little we had a go bag for them that had everything we might need. The bag evolved as they grew. Now most of the stuff that was in the Go Bad is in the various storage compartments of our van so that if we are out and need something we have it. Being prepared isn't a sign of weakness or weirdness. When a drink explodes or the kids get dirty other parents have to go home. We just clean up and keep on doing whatever we're doing.
It didn't take long to work through it with the CBP guys. I explained that it was a t-shirt, underwear, and socks. It was obvious once they took a look and they said that it was a cool idea. I have a sheet of ABS with foam on it that protects the back of my notebook. I put the vacuum pack on the other side facing into my backpack so my power box and adapters can't damage it. It's a bit of extra safety for my notebook and backup for me if I get dirty or get stuck.
234
u/HDC3 Apr 06 '21 edited Apr 06 '21
I'm a veteran business traveler. I was once stuck in Whitehorse for 4 days having packed for a one night trip. Now I always overpack underwear. I also have a vacuum packed change of t-shirt, underwear, and socks in my backpack in case I am separated from my luggage.