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« on: Oct 04, 2012, 02:15 pm »
I sent this really long and detailed email to a friend who is on tour with Ailey II. They do a combination of US, International, short and long term touring as a point of reference. The tips are culled from my 2 tours (1 was 6 months out with no lay offs and the other was a Thursday-Monday gig where I was home in between weekends). Some of the stuff below is a repeat of what we've already discussed, but I am just cutting and pasting:
I also have links to shopping online for a lot of the stuff I mention if anyone wants them.
For longer/international travel: When I was with the Kennedy Center on tour I bought those all-in-one laundry sheets and they were great once I tossed the plastic box they came in and put them in a ziplock bag. Otherwise, powder laundry soap is a smart idea - just in case it spills in your suitcases your clothes won't be covered in slime. Even those pre-measured travel pouches of Tide are NOT puncture proof, and you don't want to learn that the hard way.
Since you're doing a combination of short and long touring (and this is directly from the Ailey II staff): It is time to get two of everything (One toothbrush for travel, and one for home), including your phone charger. I bought a bunch of generic iPhone chargers on ebay and just kept one in my suitcase and one in my purse. This way when you are back you spend less time unpacking and repacking. Make a travel only toiletries bag and leave it packed and always in your suitcase.
Can you check bags even for quick US jumps? If so, I LOVE my LL Bean Toiletry Organizer. I am a complete product junkie and a medium sized bag held ALL of my stuff for 16 weeks on tour. I had two of everything: hair stuff, make-up, shower stuff, and because I'm compulsive, I would make notes on my phone to remind me when to replace something, or add more QTips, etc. Having doubles saves SO much time. Also, this means that when you are home it already feels like home because you're not unpacking stuff like that just to take a bath. I also kept a separate LeSportSack (because I have a bunch of them) pouch of tampons, etc that just stayed in my carry on at all times.
PACKING:
- PACKING CUBES CHANGED MY LIFE. I cannot stress this enough. They come in different sizes, and I started with this 3-pack. I would think about also investing in a 2nd set of all mediums or larges for longer travel. They fit into your suitcase like Tetris blocks and what makes them so amazing is that your shit is always folded and packed, even if/when you tear your bag apart to look for something. Underwear/Socks/Bras fit brilliantly in the small, and I did work clothes (run blacks and black socks in the medium) and 'play' clothes in the large. This past spring, I flew out on weekends and was home and off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so I had time at home each week to repack, but that's just a pain. Obviously you'll have to (and want to at some point) but what I did was I kept a pair of jeans, 3 or 4 regular Old Navy fitted Ts, a cardi and 2 'going out' shirts in that cube, and they stayed there until they were worn. For longer jumps, most people will recommend 2 weeks worth of sock/underwear, but count your days off, and pack enough to last through two of them. This way, you're not forced to do laundry on your only day off. The other plus side to packing cubes is that I found it really easy to keep dirty and clean separate: clean was always zipped in a cube and dirty made the bottom layer of my suitcase. I would unpack the cubes, in tact, into a drawer (or if I'm being honest just on top of the dresser) and dirties were just tossed in the now empty suitcase.
- Also, whenever you check a bag: 2 pairs of underwear, socks and an extra shirt in your carry on. You may go the next 6 months never using them, but trust me, when you're stranded in Paris for 3 days without your suitcase, you will be SO grateful. Also - any toiletry item that you cannot live without gets a TSA appropriate carry on size. I spent the money on squishy travel sized bottles and they are great because they have a leak-proof seal and suction cup to the shower wall, so you're not knocking them around in the shower, and I also have a bunch of 3oz bottles from Ricky's, because I have a lot of stuff. Wear your work shoes (or your largest/heaviest shoes) on the plane when you check your bag too.
- I liked having slipper socks for the hotel (which are also snuggly on long flights). Some folks do flip flops, and that works too, the idea again, being something familiar on your feet when you're settling in to yet another hotel room.
- I also take a small Yankee candle. Nothing is worse than a fully booked hotel and you have gotten the room that smells like feet, or being in that non-smoking room that reeks of cigarettes.
- If you have room try to take an extra bag for gifts or if your main suitcase is overweight.
- If you feel that you can work everything into a carry on that is great - especially on shorter trips. It also leaves you room to check that bag on a return flight if needed. Also it will save you so much time at the airport.
- If you're doing multiple countries in Europe, I'd look into investing in a universal power converter. They look like big boxes, and one side is US to UK, the other US to EU, etc. No kits with tons of small pieces to lose. Think about buying two of these as well.
The other thing to think about is the backpack vs purse argument for your personal item on the plane. This is probably one of the hardest decisions to make. Throughout the spring I tried it both ways, and there are pros and cons to bring both:
Pros
Lots of room for last minute grabs (Oh, I forgot to pack whatever I can just throw it in my purse cause it's an extra bag)
When you want to run out of the theater for lunch or whatever you can just take your purse instead of your backpack or holding your wallet.
More division between work and play. Everything for work in the backpack and everything for play in your purse.
You can go out to dinner without carrying your wallet and cell phone in your hand, or conversely, you don't have to bring your backpack to the bar.
Cons
Why did I bring two bags?
You have to make sure that you remember what's in your purse and what isn't.
At one point you will ultimately leave something you need in your backpack when you have only your purse, and vice versa.
Conversely, the thing that stinks about bringing your giant NY-style purse as your only carry on is that a) you have your giant NY-style purse as your only bag and b) you will constantly be emptying and refilling with the travel only stuff whenever you get to where you're going. Ultimately, I decided on a purse that could get shoved into my carry on or suitcase and used my Mary Poppins-like North Face backpack as my carry on about 99% of the time.
Do you have a Nook/Kindle/E-reader? If not, and you have the money, invest in one. It will change the way you travel. I got a Nook Tablet for my birthday, and hated it for about a week, but the first time I got on a plane and could read Game of Thrones without hauling that monstrosity along was just incredible. Also, you can do magazines on there! And you can change your mind. No GoT? Just pick something less intense, and BAM! you are reading something new. Also, because I had a computer provided to me on tour, I was able to just bring just my Nook with me most weekends. That may not work for you, but it was great for me.
Lastly: Noise canceling or noise isolating headphones. Just do it. These Mee Electronic ones are winners, and so much cheaper than Bose or Beats. Also, think about buying a bunch of generic earbuds on eBay to stash all around. Also, a real travel pillow. No blow up bullshit. Worth the space.
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