It used to be easy to travel you printed out in your itinerary you printed out your tickets and you got on a plane. I agree it’s sensory overload now you have to pack your iPad your iPhone your AirPods, multiple charges and cables, passport, ID cards, etc. etc.. I still try and be old school when I travel.
In addition to making a copy of my itinerary and putting it in my iPhone with all phone numbers and copies of tickets, I actually still print them out and stick them in my suitcase. It’s not unheard of to lose your iPhone and then we’re all dead.
My biggest fear is I’m gonna get to the TSA check in and my phone is dead so i put a copy of boarding passes in my carry-on. We have left countless things in various hotels who stayed in and I think that’s just a sign that everyone does lots of travel and we’re also busy it’s inevitable.
My wife thinks that I’m OCD, but as we age, we do not retain all the things we have to do
A number of years ago, my husband and I, along with our very active young children, were returning to Chicago from Orlando. From where we were staying to the airport was about 45 minutes away. We had to return the rental car and check in for our flight and thought we had timed everything perfectly. Unfortunately, terrible traffic happened. We made the rental car return and raced to our gate, kiddos in tow, and barely made the flight. It was then we realized that my husband’s backpack was left in the rental. Not enough time to go back so we called the rental company and were told to call back when we arrived in Chicago. Well, we did so and the backpack was found. The company delivered it via FedEx, at our expense of course, within a few days. Many of my husband’s items were missing, including an expensive pair of binoculars and our navigation gps. What was actually returned was worth less than our shipping costs. So chock one up for double checking to make sure that you have everything and that it is as compact as possible.
I always make a list of what to take before I start packing for a trip and include what bag it is packed in. I take the list with me to check off items fr my trip home.
I organize my items when I unpack at my destination to help me not forget them.
I (for the first time) left my debit card in the ATM upon arrival at the Bangkok airport. I attribute it to traveling with more crap. I was bringing lots of friends, items from the states, that they can’t get here. So I had two 70# suitcases, 1 rolling carryon and a crossbody purse. I usually just travel with a daypack. I was frazzled after that long flight. If I don’t bring much, it’s a lot harder to leave something behind
I am actually getting better with age--because like so many of Chris Elliott readers, I make paper copies of everything and make a checklist of the easy-to-leave behind things -- tablet, passport, chargers, RX etc. and, I check, 2 and 3 times.
Some of my worst left-behinds-- My former husband and I in our twenties back then, left my sister behind in a gas station toilet once--drove a few miles before we realized. That was decades ago.
A few years ago, I watched a TSA inspector at a luggage XRAY machine hold up a laptop computer and say loudly--"Anyone own this?" I thought, "what a dumb thing to leave behind."
Yup, it was mine I discovered when I reached home. I learned that you contact the airportʻs Lost and Found, not TSA. Retrieved with a minimum of trouble.
Had a friend leave a passport in a safe in Azerbaijan. Learned from that experience, to do what flight attendants supposedly do-- they leave one shoe locked in the safe w/any valuables, so that when they are leaving the hotel they know to retrieve the shoe and valuables.
Finally, I put stick-on "address labels" on everything-- walking stick, tablet, laptop, charger, glasses case, sunglass case etc
I not only left my brain at home I left my bright red manila folder that held all printed copies of hotel dates and confirmation codes for a two-week road trip on the kitchen counter! It was the first thing I saw when we walked back into the house two weeks later. Fortunately we had no issues and everything was on my phone but it could have been disastrous. We laugh about it now....
If travel is so stressful then I have to wonder why people do it? Just kidding! Sort of.
What works for me is using an old-time manila folder and printing copies of every single thing. Yes, it's so easy to have all your Viator tickets on your phone, but guess what? I also print a copy—it's actually easy to do!
As for passports, phones, chargers, etc., I'll actually stop the car on the way out of the driveway and double check that I have all those items, even if I checked before I left the house.
I have to add that all our devices have definitely made us dumber. And also, they use SO much energy, and it's like we don't even care about that anymore. (But that's a topic for a different day.)
My wife and I travel about 90 days a year. I ceated a standard list of items to pack ranging from socks to medications to credit cards. I also have an adder for International trips. I print a copy out for each trip and check off each item as I pack it.
My MOA is I send my self an email with all travel documents (etickets & Itinerary, passport & driver's license photo, Hotels info, visa info, any pertinent BS) I pin this up. I print out all this and stuff in my carryon backpack. I get some piece of mind having all the details on phone and in print and don't try to keep all this in my mind.
I pack by mental list and invariably forget some items but not the major ones. usually one bag (checked or carry on) and a carry-on backpack. The carry-on backpack has dedicated cords and chargers, and the last-minute items are earbuds, laptop, reading (book or two) materials, medications.
Don't forget I'm a long way from a seasoned traveler and always forget something on one end of the trip. I guess it's about trying to eliminate the stress. I know that's easier said than done at times..........................
Here on Lake Chapala there are lots of birds. Last visit I brought my set of binoculars. This time I left it in my car in my flurry to park and get to the airport. I find pre-packing helps, and double and triple checking my bag before I set off. But the problem you are addressing is not new. During my many years driving cab, I had passengers who found, once arriving at the airport, that they had left a passport or (when that's all that was issued) a paper ticket behind. Good for the cabbie who has to make a frantic return to the passenger's home and then back to the airport but truly stressful for all concerned. The good traveler is an organized traveler along every step of your journey, from leaving the house to sitting at the gate. It is very easy to leave something behind, like the hooded sweatshirt I left at the Tbilisi airport November 2023. I still miss it.
It’s a mental load problem. Too much going on mentally. I forgot my AirPods in a uber and - although I have a find my turned on - it was in another city and couldn’t get them back.
I was at my hotel in Madeira - checking out - I had put my suitcase beside the check out counter - after I finished checking out, I just walked to the car because I thought my travelling companion had put the suitcase in the car. When I got to the airport, I realized that he had not put the suitcase in the car and that it was in the hotel. I immediately reversed course and absolutely FLEW through all of the tunnels back to the hotel - fortunately, we had built in an extra hour, and I was able to retrieve the suitcase, make it back to the airport and catch the flight on time. Now, in addition to having electronic checkers in all of my bags and in many personal items, I always count at every juncture. I felt so stupid.
The working memory angle is underappreciated here. Most people dunno that those few slots of active recall get hammered when processing new environments plus all the logistics apps and timelines. Had a similar experiance last year where I completely blanked on grabbing my laptop from the seat pocket after a redeye, brain was just fried from timezone shifts. The old school manila folder approach actually makes sense since it offloads cognitive load from working memory to external reference.
I have always been forgetful when travelling. I have left-
- a pair of dress shoes in a hotel in Iceland. They mailed the shoes to me free of charge!
- another pair of shoes in a BnB in Niagara Falls. I paid for shipping, but at least they were returned.
- All of my shirts at home on a stair railing when taking a 2 week car trip to Florida. I wore 3 beach/sun shirts for the whole time. Did wash them a lot!
- Left an overcoat on the MARC commuter train in MD - I called that night and the porters had it for me when I got on the train to go to work the next morning! Kudos to the staff!
We were visiting friends in Mexico. About an hour after leaving their house, I realized I forgot my insulin. We were too far away to turn around, so we kept going. We were heading home, so it might not have been a big issue, but I needed insulin to refill my insulin pump, so as soon as we could once we got back to the US was stop at Target store with a pharmacy so I could get a refill of my insulin and then refilled my pump in the bathroom.
I told my friends to give away the forgotten insulin to whomever needed it--and they found someone that could use it.
When I pack to leave for a trip or return from one, I always do the same thing and pack things the same way. This way, I can glance in my bags or think and realize what I have missed.
Like others, I do look through the drawers and refrigerator in my hotel room; if I am with my family, we all look. If I use the in-room safe, I would double-check there, too.
I recommend everyone come up with a system that works for you and/or print things out like others do to stay organized and not forget anything. And always think--and double- or triple-think if ill, packing more than usual, or traveling with more people than usual.
It used to be easy to travel you printed out in your itinerary you printed out your tickets and you got on a plane. I agree it’s sensory overload now you have to pack your iPad your iPhone your AirPods, multiple charges and cables, passport, ID cards, etc. etc.. I still try and be old school when I travel.
In addition to making a copy of my itinerary and putting it in my iPhone with all phone numbers and copies of tickets, I actually still print them out and stick them in my suitcase. It’s not unheard of to lose your iPhone and then we’re all dead.
My biggest fear is I’m gonna get to the TSA check in and my phone is dead so i put a copy of boarding passes in my carry-on. We have left countless things in various hotels who stayed in and I think that’s just a sign that everyone does lots of travel and we’re also busy it’s inevitable.
My wife thinks that I’m OCD, but as we age, we do not retain all the things we have to do
A number of years ago, my husband and I, along with our very active young children, were returning to Chicago from Orlando. From where we were staying to the airport was about 45 minutes away. We had to return the rental car and check in for our flight and thought we had timed everything perfectly. Unfortunately, terrible traffic happened. We made the rental car return and raced to our gate, kiddos in tow, and barely made the flight. It was then we realized that my husband’s backpack was left in the rental. Not enough time to go back so we called the rental company and were told to call back when we arrived in Chicago. Well, we did so and the backpack was found. The company delivered it via FedEx, at our expense of course, within a few days. Many of my husband’s items were missing, including an expensive pair of binoculars and our navigation gps. What was actually returned was worth less than our shipping costs. So chock one up for double checking to make sure that you have everything and that it is as compact as possible.
I always make a list of what to take before I start packing for a trip and include what bag it is packed in. I take the list with me to check off items fr my trip home.
I organize my items when I unpack at my destination to help me not forget them.
I (for the first time) left my debit card in the ATM upon arrival at the Bangkok airport. I attribute it to traveling with more crap. I was bringing lots of friends, items from the states, that they can’t get here. So I had two 70# suitcases, 1 rolling carryon and a crossbody purse. I usually just travel with a daypack. I was frazzled after that long flight. If I don’t bring much, it’s a lot harder to leave something behind
I am actually getting better with age--because like so many of Chris Elliott readers, I make paper copies of everything and make a checklist of the easy-to-leave behind things -- tablet, passport, chargers, RX etc. and, I check, 2 and 3 times.
Some of my worst left-behinds-- My former husband and I in our twenties back then, left my sister behind in a gas station toilet once--drove a few miles before we realized. That was decades ago.
A few years ago, I watched a TSA inspector at a luggage XRAY machine hold up a laptop computer and say loudly--"Anyone own this?" I thought, "what a dumb thing to leave behind."
Yup, it was mine I discovered when I reached home. I learned that you contact the airportʻs Lost and Found, not TSA. Retrieved with a minimum of trouble.
Had a friend leave a passport in a safe in Azerbaijan. Learned from that experience, to do what flight attendants supposedly do-- they leave one shoe locked in the safe w/any valuables, so that when they are leaving the hotel they know to retrieve the shoe and valuables.
Finally, I put stick-on "address labels" on everything-- walking stick, tablet, laptop, charger, glasses case, sunglass case etc
I not only left my brain at home I left my bright red manila folder that held all printed copies of hotel dates and confirmation codes for a two-week road trip on the kitchen counter! It was the first thing I saw when we walked back into the house two weeks later. Fortunately we had no issues and everything was on my phone but it could have been disastrous. We laugh about it now....
If travel is so stressful then I have to wonder why people do it? Just kidding! Sort of.
What works for me is using an old-time manila folder and printing copies of every single thing. Yes, it's so easy to have all your Viator tickets on your phone, but guess what? I also print a copy—it's actually easy to do!
As for passports, phones, chargers, etc., I'll actually stop the car on the way out of the driveway and double check that I have all those items, even if I checked before I left the house.
I have to add that all our devices have definitely made us dumber. And also, they use SO much energy, and it's like we don't even care about that anymore. (But that's a topic for a different day.)
My wife and I travel about 90 days a year. I ceated a standard list of items to pack ranging from socks to medications to credit cards. I also have an adder for International trips. I print a copy out for each trip and check off each item as I pack it.
My MOA is I send my self an email with all travel documents (etickets & Itinerary, passport & driver's license photo, Hotels info, visa info, any pertinent BS) I pin this up. I print out all this and stuff in my carryon backpack. I get some piece of mind having all the details on phone and in print and don't try to keep all this in my mind.
I pack by mental list and invariably forget some items but not the major ones. usually one bag (checked or carry on) and a carry-on backpack. The carry-on backpack has dedicated cords and chargers, and the last-minute items are earbuds, laptop, reading (book or two) materials, medications.
Don't forget I'm a long way from a seasoned traveler and always forget something on one end of the trip. I guess it's about trying to eliminate the stress. I know that's easier said than done at times..........................
Here on Lake Chapala there are lots of birds. Last visit I brought my set of binoculars. This time I left it in my car in my flurry to park and get to the airport. I find pre-packing helps, and double and triple checking my bag before I set off. But the problem you are addressing is not new. During my many years driving cab, I had passengers who found, once arriving at the airport, that they had left a passport or (when that's all that was issued) a paper ticket behind. Good for the cabbie who has to make a frantic return to the passenger's home and then back to the airport but truly stressful for all concerned. The good traveler is an organized traveler along every step of your journey, from leaving the house to sitting at the gate. It is very easy to leave something behind, like the hooded sweatshirt I left at the Tbilisi airport November 2023. I still miss it.
It’s a mental load problem. Too much going on mentally. I forgot my AirPods in a uber and - although I have a find my turned on - it was in another city and couldn’t get them back.
Years ago I left a cake I was bringing for my daughter’s birthday in the baggage claim. TSA agents checked everywhere, but it was never found.
I was at my hotel in Madeira - checking out - I had put my suitcase beside the check out counter - after I finished checking out, I just walked to the car because I thought my travelling companion had put the suitcase in the car. When I got to the airport, I realized that he had not put the suitcase in the car and that it was in the hotel. I immediately reversed course and absolutely FLEW through all of the tunnels back to the hotel - fortunately, we had built in an extra hour, and I was able to retrieve the suitcase, make it back to the airport and catch the flight on time. Now, in addition to having electronic checkers in all of my bags and in many personal items, I always count at every juncture. I felt so stupid.
The working memory angle is underappreciated here. Most people dunno that those few slots of active recall get hammered when processing new environments plus all the logistics apps and timelines. Had a similar experiance last year where I completely blanked on grabbing my laptop from the seat pocket after a redeye, brain was just fried from timezone shifts. The old school manila folder approach actually makes sense since it offloads cognitive load from working memory to external reference.
I have always been forgetful when travelling. I have left-
- a pair of dress shoes in a hotel in Iceland. They mailed the shoes to me free of charge!
- another pair of shoes in a BnB in Niagara Falls. I paid for shipping, but at least they were returned.
- All of my shirts at home on a stair railing when taking a 2 week car trip to Florida. I wore 3 beach/sun shirts for the whole time. Did wash them a lot!
- Left an overcoat on the MARC commuter train in MD - I called that night and the porters had it for me when I got on the train to go to work the next morning! Kudos to the staff!
Al Schilf, Maryland
We were visiting friends in Mexico. About an hour after leaving their house, I realized I forgot my insulin. We were too far away to turn around, so we kept going. We were heading home, so it might not have been a big issue, but I needed insulin to refill my insulin pump, so as soon as we could once we got back to the US was stop at Target store with a pharmacy so I could get a refill of my insulin and then refilled my pump in the bathroom.
I told my friends to give away the forgotten insulin to whomever needed it--and they found someone that could use it.
When I pack to leave for a trip or return from one, I always do the same thing and pack things the same way. This way, I can glance in my bags or think and realize what I have missed.
Like others, I do look through the drawers and refrigerator in my hotel room; if I am with my family, we all look. If I use the in-room safe, I would double-check there, too.
I recommend everyone come up with a system that works for you and/or print things out like others do to stay organized and not forget anything. And always think--and double- or triple-think if ill, packing more than usual, or traveling with more people than usual.