the carry-on packing list I stopped editing

80 flights a year for work. this version hasn't changed in over a year, that's the point

01
passport + one physical backup copy
check the date, renewed mine four months early and still got a scare at check-in
02
portable charger, charged before you leave the house
03
one pair of headphones + a cheap backup pair
04
compression packing cubes, one per category
05
a jacket you can actually wear on the plane, not pack
06
spare charging cable in the personal item, not the main bag
learned this digging through an overhead bin at 6am
07
printed hotel confirmation, at least the first night
08
empty water bottle, fill after security
09
eye mask + earplugs
10
one collapsible tote for the flight home
11
medication in the original bottles, in the carry-on not checked
gate-checked once, never again. lost the bag with my prescriptions for two days
12
a real book, not just the phone, for takeoff and landing
13
snacks that survive a delay, not just a flight
14
a change of shirt in the bag, not just the suitcase
checked bag got rerouted once, wore the same shirt two days straight
15
portable luggage scale
cheaper than the airport's overweight fee every single time
16
a spare tote folded flat, for the thing you inevitably buy