Checklist For Hassle-Free Travel
World traveler and frequent flier, The Early Show contributor Colin Cowie knows a thing or two about what to bring on a trip and how to pack it.
Colin likes to stay organized and to enjoy the comforts of home — albeit in much smaller sizes (and spaces). Colin brought a variety of travel gadgets
that will help even the most clueless traveler have a smooth trip.He says that the first hurdle is making it through security and there are a few simple pointers to make life easier on those long lines. For instance, wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off and avoid belts or other accessories with metal parts.
Here are the gadgets that can make life easier along the way.
Manicure kits are often confiscated by customs officials because there are different rules enforced at different airports. This kit is approved for everyone, everywhere. Colin also loves the sleek, modern design in this nine-item kit.
Kit includes a nose-hair groomer; a facial-hair trimmer, two nail clippers, an emery board, a combo lint brush/shoe horn and a 3-inch fog-free mirror. Other conveniences include an easy-to-set digital travel alarm clock, and a 3 3/4"-inch metal flashlight for unfamiliar hotel rooms. It is designed for both men and women. www.sharperimage.com
Colin likes to organize these packing bags by category: socks, belts and underwear in one, shirts in one, trousers in another.
The corded double zipper pulls make opening and closing simple and fast. Mesh top panel for easy identification of contents and ventilation. Interior seams fully finished for durability. Soft mesh won't damage delicate fabrics. Small cube: 11" x 6.75" x 3". Medium cube: 13.75" x 9.75" x 3". Large cube dimensions: 17.5" x 12.75" x 3.25". www.ebags.com
A toiletry kit with the basic essentials and, since it comes with plastic jars and bottles, you can fill them up with your own products. It packs flat to save space and is waterproof.
Four separate compartments, each measuring 2-1/4" deep by 9-1/4" long. Each kit includes a 5-piece set of Nalgene bottles. www.ebags.com
These bright tags make it easier to tell your luggage apart from similar bags.
Rubber tag set of 4 — blue, yellow, red and green. $18
Toile and polka dot tags. $8
www.flight001.com
This gives travelers everything they need for their computers in one package, without a mess of wires and cables.
Kit includes cordless optical mouse with scroll wheel and RF receiver, retractable network cables that connect directly to LAN and Ethernet ports, flexible USB powered task lights and 4-foot extension cables. www.tumi.com
This allows you to be online 24/7, whether in the car, subway, bus or even sometimes in the office. If your system goes down, you're back online in 3 seconds. Airports often want to make you join their network to use your computer, so you end up with a large variety of networks. Colin says the beauty of this is you don't have to worry about giving out your credit card and personal information. Just buy the card and then pay a monthly fee of about $80.
The cards are designed to work in any PC laptop computer running Windows 98SE, Windows XP or Windows 2000 that is also equipped with a PC Card slot (PCMCIA Type 2). Verizon Wireless provides software with each card, which is installed on the computer and will control all the functions of the card (activation, connecting/disconnecting, etc). The Verizon Wireless PC Cards come with a software installation CD that assists with the installation of the PC Card onto the laptop computer. After installation of the drivers and software, the card is inserted into the PC card slot followed by a few automated steps for activation of the card. Once this is complete you can be online and browsing in no time. www.verizonwireless.com
It's no joy to arrive at your airplane seat and find a rumpled pillow. You never know who had it before you and how dirty it might be. This is a clean, hygienic pillow and, because it's goose down, it doesn't take up space in your bag. This is much better than any polyester they give you at 30,000 feet.
Stuffed with European white goose down, this light-weight pillow is comfortable and compressible, and the rip-stop fabric outer shell makes the pillow durable and water-resistant. The Fleece Travel Pillowcase is made especially for this pillow. Quixote
Travelers nervous about flying often have trouble reading on a flight. This DVD allows viewers to calm their nerves by meditating on the colors. You can play it on your laptop or portable DVD player.
The DVD shows a continuous display of skies drifting through a sequence of changing color, synchronized with music, designed to soothe the senses.180 minutes. www.flight001.com
F-1 exclusive Jetfresh kit makes flying coach feel like first class. Includes earplugs, F-1 Dental Kit, Jao lip balm, Neal Yard Travel, F-1 eye shade, In-Flight Valet, F-1 moist towelettes, Dylan's Candy breath mints, Jao moisturizer, pen and deck of cards. All packaged in F-1 micro fiber case with hanging hook. www.flight001.com
Practical and designed for the air, this blanket is comfortable and easy to clean. Set includes non-pill polar fleece blanket, cotton travel pillowcase, and eye mask. Packaged in vinyl drawstring pouch, 40" x 60". www.flight001.com