15 Pilot-approved Amazon Travel Essentials

Growing up with a dad who worked as a pilot for Delta Airlines had some major perks — obviously, the main one being the unlimited chance to fly stand-by (but having a kitchen bin that was always full of Biscoff cookies and the occasional can of Pawberry Punch didn’t hurt either). I got to see the world by his side as we ventured together to places like Peru, France, and Germany. He would tell me to pack my bag for “Rome or Hawaii,” and then we’d show up at the airport to see which flight we could get on. His roughly 43 years of experience as a pilot also had a profound effect on how I travel (carry-on-only, of course) and what I pack (multi-purpose items always).

Even after working as a travel writer for more than 15 years, it’s still my dad’s travel hacks and packing tips that come to mind as I’m preparing for any type of trip. He instilled in me a passion for travel along with a very minimalist “be ready for anything” sort of mentality when it comes to packing. I’ve now been to 86 countries, and still, some of my favorite moments have included meeting up with him at Atlanta Airport when our layovers overlapped, swapping travel hacks and mishaps over a quick cup of coffee. The evidence of his influence can be seen in my carry-on, and these are some of my favorite “dad hack” travel essentials that I turn to most often.  

Portable Door Lock & Door Stop Alarm Set

My dad used to travel with a little door hanger alarm that my sister and I were terrified to go near in case we would accidentally set it off (read: it was loud). I thought he was just being an overprotective dad until I started traveling alone and realized how many people I know have stories of their rooms being entered during their stays. I now always travel with one of these types of security devices as a deterrent against break-ins.   

Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Headlamp

I’ve never seen my dad without a headlamp within easy reach — yes, even while traveling. He claims it’s the best travel accessory, and often uses it in hotels as a reading light or to navigate easily around the room in the middle of the night. Much easier than searching for oddly placed light switches and lamps. I also like it in case of a hotel power outage or when walking through dimly lit parking garages or parking lots. 

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside 22-inch Carry-on

There’s a reason why Travelpro is the preferred bag by many airline crew members. I love my MaxLite 5 because it’s lightweight, durable, and can hold much more than the average suitcase. My dad uses a similar Travelpro suitcase which has two wheels and is soft-sided — only he bought at Costco, which is his other travel hack due to their generous return policy.

Gear Aid Hero Clip

I never travel without carabiners, and I tend to use them for everything from clipping in my water bottle to securing my zippers together for city travel. I love this Hero Clip because it reminds me of the J Hook my dad used to travel with when I was a kid. He would effortlessly connect his crew bag and briefcase or backpack as soon as we cleared TSA, and I get it now as I’m entering my “not smart to wear a heavy backpack” phase of life.   

Spyder Packable Puffer Jacket 

I used my dad’s puffer jacket so many times as a kid, begging to borrow it as I regretted not bringing an extra layer to keep me warm in flight. Now I always travel with a packable puffer because it can double as a pillow in a pinch, but also because I no longer have my dad’s jacket as easily available when I’m traveling solo or with my own kids. 

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

My dad taught me this travel hack a few years back, and now I never travel without this travel adapter, even domestically. Obviously, it’s great for international travel, but when I’m stateside, it can turn a regular outlet into a multi-plug charging hub for all of my USB-chargeable devices so I don’t have to have chargers and devices spread throughout the room. 

Anker Power Bank

My dad, who is also a former Air Force officer, was big on the idea of safety while traveling, especially being able to reach someone if I needed help. I never leave home without a power bank, and that’s because I know my phone can often be my biggest safety device while traveling.   

SwissGear 1900 Scansmart Laptop Backpack

I’ve tried out so many other versions of carry-ons (i.e. totes, weekenders, laptop bags, etc.), but I always come back to my dad’s gold standard: a trusty backpack. This version is ideal for airport use since it comes with a trolly strap and SmartScan technology for laptop-in-case scanning at TSA.

Soundcore P40i by Anker Noise-cancelling Wireless Earbuds

Although my dad always opted for regular earplugs for his crew rest, I prefer these noise-cancelling earbuds better for the way I travel. I can sleep in these, but I can also pair them with an AirFly so I don’t have to bother with the uncomfortable headsets most airlines issue. 

Columbia Glennaker Lake Ii Packable Rain Jacket 

I’ve always found it more practical to travel with a packable rain jacket than with an umbrella, and that’s likely because of the example my dad set for me early on by always having a thin raincoat on hand. I always buy a size up so I can wear it over my backpack if necessary, and the extra layer has come in handy so many times when I even just need a bit of a windbreaker over a thick sweater. This jacket packs into itself, which is ideal for stashing in a carry-on. 

Linvo Polarized Wayfarer Sunglasses 

I’ve lost too many pairs of sunglasses while traveling to ever want to travel with an expensive pair. I love the style of these wayfarer-style sunglasses, but I love even more that they are only $20 for a two-pack. If they get scratched or lost, I will be sad — but not devastated. 

On Low-top Sneakers

My dad’s sole packing advice to my sister and me before any trip we took included one phrase: “Pack a swimsuit and wear comfy shoes for the airport.” I still use his phrase while packing; the first piece of advice comes in handy more often than not, and the second has been crucial to a good travel experience. I love how comfy and stylish OnClouds are, and this pair slips on and off easily if I ever need to remove my shoes while traveling. 

Tide Travel Sink Packets 

Growing up, my family spent a lot of time camping, so we always had little camping packs of laundry detergent on hand for when we traveled. I keep a packet or two in my makeup bag at all times, and, although I thankfully don’t have to use them often, they are a lifesaver when messes or spills do happen.  

Autrends Mini Duct Tape

A simple roll of duct tape can save a trip in so many ways. We’ve used duct tape to cover up annoying lights in a hotel room to get a better night’s sleep; used it as a makeshift bandage for blisters (with cotton or tissue paper); and patched up suitcases or shoes so they could make the journey home. 

Topoko Stainless Steel Vacuum Water Bottle

If a water bottle doesn’t have a way to clip onto my carry-on, I don’t want to travel with it. I like having the option to be hands-free while traveling, without worrying about my water bottle falling out of a side pocket in a backpack or leaking inside my carry-on. I like this no-frills thermos because it clips in easily and has a non-slip coating for those times I am carrying it. 

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