A Flight Attendant's RV

Posted in Flight Attendant News | 9 comments

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I’m sure most people don’t think about this, but when flight attendants go to work, a lot of them are gone for 2-3-4 days at a time. The hardest part of what we do is being away from home and amenities that you have at your finger tips. So, as flight attendants we make do.

Our luggage serves as our RV. We can always be seen dragging it behind us much like a car would drag a trailer home.

Everyone packs their bags differently. But here’s a sneek peek into mine.

Of course I have clothes packed for my layovers, extra uniform pieces, the essentials such as: toothpaste, tooth brush, brushes, hair products, razor, shaving cream, etc.

Personally, I am a mobile CVS as well. I’ve gotten sick so many times on layovers and not had the ability to get drugs that, I now travel with aisle 11. I have everything from Motrin to Tylenol PM to Imodium (I’ve had food poisoning on a layover and never want to experience that, again!). All of that is in my roller board.

In my messenger bag I keep my manual, wine opener, eye drops (to rid of the red-eyes I get when I’m stressed), more Motrin (readily accessible for when the children board), pens, my paperwork, an eye mask and inflatable pillow for commuting, business cards, my laptop, and lastly magazines.

The only other bag I bring with me, sometimes, is my eBags Crew Cooler. This bag is perfect for packing food for my 4 day trips. I have it loaded with microwaveable meals, homecooked meals ready to be re-heated, veggies, fruit, various teas and a case of Emergen-C (my life line).

I’m always amazed at other airline employees who pack a roller board, tote, lunch cooler, backpack and another smaller bag. I find it a hassle traveling with 3 bags.

I have one question for you,  What’s in them? I’m curious what other flight attendants are pulling behind them. What’s the funniest/craziest thing you have in your bag? What’s the one thing you cannot leave home without? I’m curious to know what you pack for your trips!

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  • http://flythefriendlyskies.blogspot.com Megan

    This is awesome. I haven’t referred to all my crap as an RV before. Love it!!!

    I’m not too crazy when I pack (usually).
    I have my clothes, make up, pj, a swimsuit- you never know when you will end up in Miami, hair stuff all in my rollerboard. I’m also completely paranoid about getting sick. I have a little baggie full of meds, shout wipes, little packets of tide for when I get extended past the amount of days I pack for… laptop, lots of reading material.

    I can’t go without my EBAG. I looooove it. I pack it full of food… sometimes it is as heavy as my other bags… my pilots all think I bring along a rock collection or some bricks.

    I was taking a drawing class last semester so I was flying a lot on the weekends and had to take my homework with me. One week it was tracings of nude models, that was pretty awesome.

    I guess I’m not known for what I bring (like the lady who brings along her cappachino maker, or george foreman grills) so much as for what i buy and lug with me through the airport! The worst was a 10 lb. tripod for my camera that I thought was a great idea to get in NYC so I could save on shipping costs.
    Great idea? Not really.

  • Mike

    When I was a flight attendant, I earned the nickname “The Witch Doctor” because I not only carried enough regular meds to start a pharmacy, I also had a sack full of homeopathic remedies, vitamins, ginseng, herbs, guides to nutrition for health, etc. I had THE fix for whatever ailed any member of the crew (whether they wanted one or not)!

  • http://postcardsandcoasters.blogspot.com/ Sherri

    I’m probably one of the few flight attendants toting a food back without food. Sure I have a few snacks but it acts more like a purse. Vitamins, wallet, cell, ipod, make up and lots of other boring stuff! I fly with lots of FA’s who bring a ton of food and keep it all on ice. I’m just not that motivated!

  • http://starvillanueva.multiply.com starvillanueva

    I had fun reading your interesting posts… Will add you in my blogroll =)

    http://starvillanueva.wordpress.com

  • http://upupnaaway.blogspot.com/ Shelby

    I love to look in other FA’s Bags, They are always full of goodies,

    Mine is an electric store, I have Camera Charger, Camera, …
    Laptop, Laptop Charger for Hotel & Plane, Cell Phone, Cell Phone Charger…
    Bose NOISE Cancellation headsets!!

    Favorite Item, Ziploc baggies!!

    Empty Water bottle for my, “Greens to go”, My One A Day vitamin, & my Benefiber, I pour all of these in my Water Bottle shake, and I have my daily Vitamins, Veggies & Fruits!

    Food, No Food, I have enough stuff, Small Pharmacy, With all the appropriate Flight Attendant goodies!

    And Magazines, How many?? Depends on how many passengers leave on the plane!

    Cheers…

  • twoclippedwings

    Funny, this is a subject I’ve not seen discussed among the boards & blogs. What is INSIDE our bags.
    I too carry a small CVS pharmacy & on occasion am very happy that I carry those extra ounces of medicine.
    As a reserve flight attendant with nary a clue about where I may be going within 90 minutes of departure for up to 4 days, I carry 1 pr. jeans/or khakis, a sleeveless shirt with matching sweater or jacket for layering. One pr of shoes that are comfortable to walk in. All of my personal grooming items, make=up, hair. Extra coffee packets, tea, a yummy smelling candle. Extra uniform pieces. Undergarments. Before zipping it closed I will add shorts or whatever is appropriate for where I am going, umbrella, bathing suit etc. Like most f/a’s I keep my bag packed with the absolute essentials (duplicate toiletries etc). Found a luggage rack at a garage sale & that has been wonderful to have.
    In my tote is my computer, charger, iPod shuffle, cellphone charger, magazine, book, needlepoint, company paperwork, manual & announcement booklet, extra pens, extra plastic utensils, inflight flats, apron, non-perishable snack, OTC pain reliever & allergy pills, nasal spray (all so I don’t have to dig in rollaboard as they used frequently). Highlighters (for bidding), cheater eye-glasses for extra close-up work, lint roller.
    In my purse are the normal purse items but more of a survivalist nature. The purse (the toaster) also becomes a pillow when necessary.
    I too have the eBags cooler. If I have notice of a multi-day trip I will pack food. As much nonperishable as possible plus healthy snacks.
    We are a very creative bunch.
    May I add, when I see stairs with no elevator/escalator alternative, I dread hauling what must be 50 pounds of multiple bags up/down the steps.
    TSA security checkpoints are also a huge hassle when carrying our computers. Ugh. But for a long time f/a, I try to make what’s in my luggage the home away from home a reality. RV INDEED!

  • http://kimoglsb@blogspot.com Kim

    I think the weirdest thing I carry is a Brookstone travel blanket. Hotel bedspreads are icky! But I like lots of covers, and I got tired of using my trench coat as an extra layer of bedding last winter.I also seem to travel with way more cords/chargers than I’d like to…sigh… BTW: I have been trying to get that Ebags Crew Cooler for a couple of months and they are not in stock (they don’t know when they’re getting more). ANYONE know where I can find one!?
    P.S:regarding bag weight, spackle is very HEAVY stuff!

  • monnnster

    Ooh, I love knowing what other FAs bring! One girl from my airline makes quesadillas with the hotel iron (and judging by the state of hotel irons, I’m pretty sure she’s not the only one)! Taking care of a bag of perishables over 4 days requires dedication, a lot of icing and reicing, nicking dry ice from the trolleys, etc. Mine usually consists of homemade food for the first 2 days, then poptop soups, an avocado, apples, almonds, packaged tuna and lots of sweets! sugar sweets and chocolate sweets, I never know what kind of feelings I’ll have to eat!

  • http://www.liposuctionmagazine.com Morgan Palmer

    i do not like trailer homes because it is not sturdy enough specially when the weather goes bad “,,