8 tips for traveling by plane with electronics

Not too many years ago, I traveled with no electronic devices at all except a cell-phone, and I can even remember a time when I didn't have one of those. These days, it's a different story: my Kindle, my laptop, my cell-phone, and on our upcoming trip the kids' tablets all have to make it on the plane.

Here are some of my tips for flying with your electronics while also keeping your devices safe and in good working order while you travel. These tips apply to things like:

• laptops
• tablets
• cell-phones
• e-readers
• cameras

and anything else you would consider a "small-ish electronic device".

1. Pack electronic devices in your hand-luggage if possible
If you've ever seen how your suitcases are handled as they're loaded into an airplane, you will probably want to keep your electronic devices in your carry-on. Another thing to consider is that occasionally, thefts do occur from checked luggage. Personally, I would not put any of my electronics in the checked luggage: the risk of things getting broken or lost is just too great.


2. Get protective covers
As a parent traveling with kids, you will probably be putting your devices into your hand-luggage with a bunch of other items, which may include more or less messy things like toys, snacks, diapers, changes of clothes, and so on. It's a very good idea to buy some kind of protective cover for your electronics to keep them safe in that muddle - those screens can get damaged easily otherwise.

For our trips, I've purchased a zip-up neoprene cover for my laptop, and some practical and protective leather covers for the kids' Samsung tablets. My cell-phone has a protective cover on it anyway, so it's reasonably safe. 

3. Charge all devices fully before you leave
This is really important to remember, so I'll repeat it: charge everything up before you leave. Many airports now have electrical outlets where you can charge your devices, but it's not always easy to find them or take the time to use them (or find one that's not already taken!). And a device that is taking up space in your carry-on, but won't start when you want to use it is really, really annoying.
 

4. Bring all needed chargers and cables
When you're busy trying to remember everything you need to bring for your trip, this can easily slip your mind. Make sure you bring any battery chargers and cables you need for your devices along on your trip, or they won't be very useful at all! I usually put all these items into a small bag or pouch and pack it into the checked luggage so they're easy to find.


5. For international travel: bring adapters and converters
This is another thing that might slip your mind in the heat of packing for a trip: electrical outlets are not the same the world over. That charger or cable you brought, might not plug into the wall-outlet in a foreign country. Make sure you bring an adapter or converter, as needed, to simplify your life.


6. Bring some headphones
If you or your children are using devices that make noise, to play games or watch movies or listen to audio-books for example, it's a very good idea to bring along some headphones on your flight. That way, you won't be disturbing other travelers, and you will also be able to hear your devices better: the background noise on airplanes can drown out many sounds.

Get child-sized headphones for your kids so they're comfortable: these can often be used for the on-board entertainments system as well.


7. Pack your devices so they can be easily accessed at security
When you go through airport security, small devices like cell-phones and smaller cameras can usually just be left in your hand-luggage. However, security personnel will probably ask you to take out larger devices like laptops and sometimes (not always) tablets and e-readers before putting them through the x-ray machine.

Some backpacks and carry-ons are designed with a special compartment for things like laptops that you can zip open, and easily show your laptop or tablet. But at some security checkpoints you will still have to remove the device from your carry-on. Just make sure your electronics are easy to access to make this process easier.

8. Think about data charges before you go
If you're traveling outside your own country and want to use devices like smart-phones, tablets, laptops and so on that require you to access and use the internet, you should think about what that is going to cost you. Talk to your cell-phone provider about special plans for data-usage when you're abroad, and check how this will affect your other devices as well.

More cell-phone travel-tips can be found in my post: Cell-phone tips & apps when you're traveling with kids (or without!).

13 items I always bring in my hand-luggage

When I travel by plane with my kids, the backpack I use as a carry-on is rather full. It used to be even worse, back when my children were younger: then there were diapers and wipes, and bottles that had to come along, but even now, I carry quite a load.

I really don't mind though, because every item I carry usually comes in handy. Also, now that the kids are older, I can sneak some things into their backpacks to share the load.

Here are 13 items I always bring whenever we catch a flight:


1. Pen & paper
Even with all the electronic devices available now, I find that a small notebook and a regular ball-point pen are must-haves when I travel. The kids can use them to play tic-tac-toe or doodle to pass the time, I can use the pen to write up some extra luggage tags before checking our suitcases, fill in customs forms, or I can write some postcards with the kids while waiting at the airport.


2. Antibacterial wipes & hand sanitizer
It's a sad fact that airplanes and airports are dirty and full of germs. Liberal use of antibacterial wipes to clean everyone's hands and also clean surfaces like tray-tables can really help keep colds, flus and stomach bugs away. A small bottle of hand-sanitizer gel always goes into my zip-loc bag of liquids too. I prefer the wipes since they don't have to go into the special bag, but the gel is a great backup.


3. Decongestant
If you've ever flown with a head-cold or sinus-infection you will know why I insist on bringing this: it is excruciatingly painful at take-off and especially when the plane is landing. I always bring a liquid decongestant for the kids, tablets for myself, plus nasal sprays for everyone, just in case we need them.


4. Blankets
Fleece blankets are quite easy to pack into your hand-luggage if you roll them up tightly. They're great comfort items when your kids (or you!) want to sleep, snuggle or just relax on board, and they can also be rolled up and used as pillows. And if you end up stuck in an airport, they're very useful there too.


5. Kid-sized headphones
The headphones offered on-board by the airlines are usually made for adults and will probably not fit your child's head very well. It's a good idea to bring along some kid-sized headphones: they're much more comfortable for the kids when they watch any in-flight entertainment, and that in turn is much more relaxing for you because the head-phones will stay on rather than fall off every two seconds.


6. My Kindle (or books)
I used to always travel with a small supply of books. Now I travel with my Kindle, loaded with books for myself and the kids. Books in any form (paperback, hardcover, or on an e-reader or tablet) is a great way to pass the time when boredom strikes, so bring some, in whatever format you feel comfortable with.


7. A refillable water bottle
The last couple of years, I've brought along a refillable water bottle on our flights. Occasionally, I do have to empty it out before going through security, but once you're through security, you can fill it up again. Yes, you can usually get drinks on board, but it's nice to bring your own for when the kids just can't wait for a sip.


8. Chewing gum
I usually bring a fruity kind for the kids as a treat, and a minty kind for me, to help with ear-pressure and to just feel a little fresher after a long flight.


9. An address book
My tiny little blue address book has addresses and phone numbers for friends and family all over the world. I like having it along as a hard-copy in case my phone fails. The addresses also come in handy when the kids want to send postcards during our travels.


10. A clean T-shirt for myself
On long flights with my kids, accidents can and do happen, and sometimes those accidents happen on me. Spills, spit-ups (if you have a baby), smears, general dirtiness, sweat... it's just really nice to at least have the option to change into a clean shirt on board. In case of delayed flights, the clean shirt can come in very handy as a partial change of clothes as well.


11. A change of clothes for the kids
Yes, accidents can happen, even if your kids are not babies or toddlers. Because of this, I always bring one change of clothes (including socks and underwear) for each child. It's a bit of a hassle to fit into the hand-luggage, but now when the kids are older and have their own bags, they can at least carry their own change of clothes.


12. Gravol
Luckily, I've only had to use the anti-nausea medication for my kids a couple of times over all our years of traveling. I still bring it on every flight though. A small bottle won't take up a lot of space, and if you're on a plane with a child who has an upset stomach, you will be very glad you brought this along. 

 13. An empty plastic bag
This easy-to-pack item can be used for wet, soiled clothes and any garbage you might get stuck with and don't know what to do with. It sounds superfluous, but comes in handy more often than you'd think.