I’m going on a well-deserved trip this week with my wife. I came across an article in Lifehacker “Ten Items That Belong in Every Carry-On Bag” and it got me thinking: What are my top ten tech items I need in my carry-on bag for the trip?

Let me set the scene: We are traveling ✈️ from DC to Alaska (on our bucket list): Whoo, Hoo! Its naturally a long trip. Unfortunately, it will be in three legs with two extra airports! It will be a long day. So, what do I need?

Laptop - if I’m going to do any work, read, movies, games, etc.
Tablet - if I want to read, play games, watch movies, or even do some work. I love to take my wife’s seat tray and use it as a second stand – laptop on mine and iPad on hers.
(Travel Tip: It doesn’t hurt to have both your laptop and tablet in case one breaks on you!)
Smartphone – best way to keep your tickets in one spot. Try using the airline’s app – they not only can carry your ticket with your seat assignment, but if your flight is updated, you’ll get your information updated quickly (as long as you have an internet connection). The airline app can come in pretty handy if your flight is canceled (especially when everyone is calling the airline help desk to reroute their canceled flight. I also use TripIt (free version) to compile all of my airline planes, car rentals, hotel stays, etc. Travel Tip: I would like to use my Apple Watch more for checking in at the gate. It is just too awkward – flipping my wrist over and hoping the screen did not turn off. It is good for travel alerts and updates!
Small extension cord with multi-outlets and surge protection - If you are plugging in anywhere, airplane, airport, lounge, etc., you need to protect your tech devices with a surge protector. If the plane has an electrical issue or gets hit by lightning, you may be saying goodbye to some of your tech! The nice thing is if you have only one working port and several people want to use it, you are the hero! 🤗
Wires – You need your powers cords and other wires to power up or connect your devices! No wires, no power! Make sure you have wires with the “ends” you need – USB, USB A, USB C, Thunderbolt, Lightning, there are sooo many – In my office, I have zip lock bags with labels on each for each type.
USB Port Plugs – Hard to charge your tablet or smartphone without them! (You can get an outlet/surge protection device that has USB plug ports, but the wattage is not always the best, i.e., fastest.)
Backup battery. If you get a seat with a power outlet and it does it work, someone beat you to it (see discussion about extension cord with a surge protector) or if you have a seat where you don’t have an outlet or, don’t have time or can’t find an outlet before or between flights, you could have issues if your devices are not charged up or can’t last the flight(s). These backup batteries can probably recharge your smartphone 1-3 times, tablets a little less, and your computers likely less than a full charge (check with the respective manufacturer). I use an out-of-date (but still good) Anker battery*. They, as well as other providers, make wireless batteries for on the go. This allows you to have a little less hassle with wires when it comes to charging wireless headphones and smartphones.
Headphones – I love my AirPods Max* headphones – the noise canceling is great to drown out noisy neighbors. (But going to, from, and between flights, I prefer my AirPods. They are not as heavy as the AMP and I need to keep an ear out for my surroundings as I move about – you know, things like my spouse, PA announcements, or people rushing by). Travel Tip 1 – Go wireless with your headphones if you can. It is just so convenient not to have wires in your way when you are trying to enjoy your cramped flight. Travel Tip 2 – For those who have Bluetooth headphones but want to plug into the flight’s headphone jack for onboard entertainment or want to share listening (and watching) one device with another, look at Twelvesouth’s AirFly. The Duo, USB-C, and Pro models let two people with Bluetooth headphones listen to one device! I had one till my dog ate it! 🙄
Trackers – You need to put an AirTag* or Tile* in your bag, purse, wallet, tech slip pouch, etc. If your tech suddenly grows legs, you need to know where it wandered off to. (You can put them in your luggage too!) There may be a little cost upfront but at least you can rest assured you know your tech is not going to go that far without you being able to find it.
Media - Download your media before you leave your home! Take a few minutes, and see what movies, music, books, etc. you have on your travel devices. Make sure you have downloaded the next season, new movie(s), new book(s), and new music you want for the trip. Purge everything you have watched or know you don’t want to see. You won’t be able to download your next episode from Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. on the plane’s Wi-Fi, the airport’s Wi-Fi is slow, and you don’t want to burn through your premium data just before take-off!