Business packing essentials

[humanuscomotose]

Hello all, I am hoping there are some learned and experience members who are willing to share some business trip packing tips. Specifically, what are the "must-pack" items as opposed to the "would-be-nice-to-pack-if-I-have-space" items. Furthermore, apart from hazardous materials, what are the "don't-pack" items?

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've put up a few things here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....travel-options-wp-g-sin-46436.html#post757093

 

[harvyk]

I'm going to assume you mean your traveling for business and wondering what you need to take v what you want to take rather than your about to fly Business Class?

The must have items v the want items very much depends on what you will be doing at your destination, if you're checking bags or HLO, how long you'll be at your destination, and what line of work your in.

 

[RooFlyer]

International or Domestic? HLO or checked bags? Length of trip? Hot or cold destination?

When I'm travelling J to overseas, in HL I've got enough electronics to drive the Death Star (laptop, chargers, universal power plug, iPad, back-up drive, UBS sticks, spare batteries), at least 1 day's change of clothes, at least 1 weeks prescriptions (plus the prescription), plus general toiletries, paper copies of itinerary & passport, business cards, e-tix, climate-determined extras (bathers / gloves/scarf). Plastic bags of various sizes. Basically so you can go to your business meetings / destination plus social for at least 24 hrs without any checked luggage turning up.

Plus hard copies of business related papers. Printing on the run - in lounges and even hotels - can be difficult. Actually, for visiting any 'lesser developed' country, where I'll be doing writing etc on the road, I take one of those compact printers, plus paper. An absolute god send - you can print your own stuff, in your room without relying on the wrenched 'business centre'.

If you are going to anywhere remotely 3rd world, take a proper travel medical kit (available from travel doctors/clinics). It has the industrial strength anti diarrhoea goodies and other great stuff. I actually take this everywhere I fly - 'be prepared'

If I have a checked bag (at least 23kg limit) I usually struggle to fill the weight, even for several weeks of trip, unless there are a lot of business papers / books. If I'm checking a bag, I'm a 'take it just in case' guy, rather than minimalist, but I still struggle to fill a 23kg case (except when I take the printer & paper ).

You need to watch taking some Australian allowed prescription medicines into certain countries (I think the Emirates / Dubai is one).

Don't take anything which it may appear to immigration that you are going to 'work' there (as opposed to visiting on 'business'). 'Work' has different meanings in different countries - and it doesn't just mean you are going to earn money. Try to check out if your country of destination is particular about certain business types. I'm in mining, and always get grilled when trying to enter Canada - they don't want me 'working' there, as they have enough of my kind already! Sometimes I get sent to secondary screening to prove I'm not going to 'work' during the visit. If they happen to open your bags, and see 'tools of the trade' - it makes proving that you aren't going to 'work' that much harder.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[harvyk]

Don't take anything which it may appear to immigration that you are going to 'work' there (as opposed to visiting on 'business'). 'Work' has different meanings in different countries - and it doesn't just mean you are going to earn money. Try to check out if your country of destination is particular about certain business types. I'm in mining, and always get grilled when trying to enter Canada - they don't want me 'working' there, as they have enough of my kind already! Sometimes I get sent to secondary screening to prove I'm not going to 'work' during the visit. If they happen to open your bags, and see 'tools of the trade' - it makes proving that you aren't going to 'work' that much harder.

That's a pretty important point, when going OS on business, I'd strongly suggest having a print out of your meetings schedule whilst your there, and depending on how long you're there for even a printed letter from your company on company letterhead stating what you are doing there. That way there is no confusion about the hazy line between "there on business" and "there to work".

 

[Rebekkap]

Hello all, I am hoping there are some learned and experience members who are willing to share some business trip packing tips. Specifically, what are the "must-pack" items as opposed to the "would-be-nice-to-pack-if-I-have-space" items. Furthermore, apart from hazardous materials, what are the "don't-pack" items?

Male or female? I have a great tip about ladder resistant stockings, but unless you're a woman, or one of the rare men who wear stockings for work, it's probably not relevant to you!

 

[petermac123]

I always travel HLO no matter what my length of stay (has been up to 6 weeks over 4 countries) and I think I've got it pretty much down to a bare minimum, though there is always the adage, as long as I've got my passport and wallet, she'll be right!, so could always travel lighter again;

In my small backpack;
-Macbook Air & charger
-iPad3 & cable
-iPhone5 & cable
-1 x AC outlet to USB charger
-Bose QC5 & 1 x extra lithium battery (not sure if the AAA lithium battery is 100% OK for air travel)
-Various sim cards with data pack for countries being visited (used to carry a second 'overseas' phone, but now just operate with the unlocked iphone5, if someone doesn't know my email address/overseas number to get in contact, then they probably aren't that urgent)
-Cash in currencies for countries being visited (normally approx $100 dollars worth in each currency, plus around $200US extra) Enough to get out of the airport and to the hotel basically before hitting a local ATM with the preloaded 28 degrees card
-28 Degrees Card, personal debit card, CitiSelect Card. Priority Pass Card. UK Drivers License (not that I'm from UK, but doesn't bother me if it gets lost/stolen/held by dodgy thai cops)
-Toiletries kit (just the basics buy anything extra when I'm there) (moisturiser a must to reduce affects of dehydrated air in plane)
-Hard copies of flight itineraries, hotel bookings, passport. Business Cards

In my carry on bag for clothes;
-Weeks worth of underwear/socks
-1 x extra jeans/pants (dependant on business meetings being attended)
-2 business shirts
-3 polos
-2 t-shirts
-Then add/subtract shorts, jumpers etc depending on climate visiting
-SQ PJ's for long haul flights if not travelling in airline class that will provide them

Then I wear on the plane, 1 x jeans, 1 x t-shirt, 1 x sports jacket and ideally the one pair of shoes I will need for the trip...

That's about it, if I need anything else I'll just buy it en-route...A weeks worth of clothes I find is just enough to get by when you need to wash it - i.e. Get washing done every 3 or 4 days, then gives you 2 days clean clothes whilst washing taking place and margin of safety!

 

[vertisol]

What's in your backpack?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

panadol and condoms

 

[SeatBackForward]

panadol and condoms

Which one is for curing headaches while on the road?

 

[jetlagger]

Which one is for curing headaches while on the road?

Both..

 

[doctork]

In my small backpack...
In my carry on bag for clothes...

What small backpack do you use, and have you generally been able to take it (as a laptop bag) in addition to your main carry-on bag?
I ask because I'm about to try going to Europe with HLO, using a Crumpler Salary Sacrifice Backpack (laptop bag) plus a standard size carry on, in J on CX.

 

[simongr]

In J on CX I regularly have taken a standard sized rollaboard and a tri-fold suit bag - both well over 7KG.

 

[johncitizen]

Travel adapter, pocket wifi router, passport billfold that holds a few sim cards, two different currencies, all your cards and a few sets of clothes, add a laptop and toiletries, some condoms and panadol, you're set.

I can relate to the tools and parts statement, I get hounded at POM frequently about entering on a business visa with parts.