Travel Must-Haves.

I have two long flights ahead of me in the next 48 hours.  And when I say, "Long," what I really mean is, "LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!"

Now, I am a excellent flier.  I show up early to the airport.  I check-in quickly.  I make it through security efficiently.  I board when called (and not a moment sooner - bitches!)  I find my seat quickly.  I throw my luggage in the space above my seat THE CORRECT WAY (wheels in first, dumbasses!)  And I settle in for the flight.  I only get up to go to the bathroom when the person next to me gets up, making it more efficient to get out of the row.  I rarely accept anything from the flight attendants (only HOT water).  I don't make messes.  I clean up any trash I make.  I don't hog the armrests. I don't need drugs to make me calm or sleep on planes.

Hell... Sometimes I don't even recline my seat, because I don't want to mess with the person's space behind me.

However, despite being a good flier, I still have needs on flights.  Things that I must have with me to easily be comfortable.  These include:

• Moisturizer - For my hands and my face.  It's dry at the high altitudes.  You need moisturizer.  I wash my face before I get on the flight.  And I reapply moisturizer as needed.
  
• Ginger Tea Bags - I won't take anything but madly hot water from flight attendants most of the time on domestic flights.  And I want to stay hydrated, so I bring my own tea bags on board. Caffeine-free tea bags.
  
• iPod - I like to load mine with episodes of This American Life.  And I even have a Past Life Regression book by Doreen Virtue on mine...  These are great listens for flights.  You just close your eyes and get lost.
  
• Cashmere Eye Mask - Speaking of "closing your eyes"...  Before a trip to Paris three years ago, I bought one of these from Saks (boo!)...  I travel with it all the time now.  It's nice and soft.  And more importantly, it's clean. No need to worry who else may have used it before me.
  
• Journal - I get ideas all the time while in flight.  
  
• Scarf/Pashmina/Shawl - Whatever you call it, I take one on board with me.  My body temperature goes all over the place while in flight.  And I prefer not to use blankets that the airlines have (or pillows for that matter).  You can get nice $15 ones at the airport stores.
• Laptop - I can't travel without it.  That doesn't work for me. I don't want to be in a world where going without it is the norm.

I try not to eat on planes.  Unless it's a flight over four hours.  Then I take some trail mix or crackers on with me.  And if meals are served, depending on the airline, I will eat some of the pieces. (I don't eat raw veggies, or cooked ones.  Bread and cooked meats and pastas are usually safe.)

Now I must go pack my carry-on bag.