PACKING

As suggested by Sebastian in our little December 2nd thread......how about a thread for all those who are starting to pack?!

Feel free to leave your best packing hints and tips here.........

1. The best advice I've got to give is to not only take an adaptor for your British plugs, but also take an extension lead. That's right...by having an extension lead, you only need one adaptor to plug this into and then you automatically have 3-5 available sockets! Genius!! ;D

I really will be surprised if I fill my 2 suitcases which I am allowed to take. I folded most of my clothes up and they will all fit in one case with room to spare. I feel like I am forgetting to pack loads of stuff?! What is everyone else taking?

 

That is a brilliant idea! Wish I had done that over the summer. I know what I'm doing if I get there next year!

 

That's a brilliant idea Genius!

I'm taking a duvet...all you have to do is vacuum pack it and tada! It means you're not cold on your first night, and they're so much nicer than comforters. It's like being at home!

I'm also not taking that many clothes...everyday stuff that is. From personal experience I've found that taking lots of clothes isn't worth it...so I'll take about 14 t-shirts and stuff. That's so I have room for the dresses and skirts and shoes I want to bring

 

That's such a great tip, thanks for that! We have to bring the whole bed kit right, with the sheets, pillows, and comforter/duvet? Those Space Bags would work perfect! https://www.spacebag.com/spacebag
And ooh look what I just found- travel versions lol No vacuum required. https://www.spacebag.com/travelbag/910453/
I actually was worried about that, because I do have a huge suitcase but comforters/duvets take a crap load of space!

My tips for Florida would be:

- If you can, get your sunscreen at home so that you have it for that first day ready to go. You need it there!

- A hat is advisable in the summer

- Aloe Vera Gel can be your best friend should you forget sunscreen one day... and also is a very nice moisturizer any day.

- Believe it or not, at night in the winter months it can get cool enough for a hoodie or light jacket and long pants.

- Don't over pack. I know it's hard, I always do it. Keep in mind, 5 out of 7 days a week, you'll be wearing your uniform. In terms of clothes, pack like you're going on holiday for 2-3 weeks.

- Don't forget to keep plenty of room for what you'll be buying down there!

 

Oooooh!!! I know what advice I can give.

I work at security at Gatwick airport...here are things you should pack in your main luggage (i.e the stuff that's going in the hold):

Any liquids over 100ml/100grms. This includes pastes, gels, sprays, creams, make up (mascara, liquid foundation, liquid eyeliner, lip gloss and vaseline), suntan lotion, drinks, deodrant, aftershave, perfume, nail varnish, nail varnish remover, make up remover....

The list goes on!

If in doubt, pack it in your suitcase. If you find your suitcase is over the weight limit DO NOT take out your wash bag. Its easier to take out bulky things like clothes and bags and shoes than have all your liquids confiscated.

Of course, if all your liquids are under 100ml then thats fine! They can go through security in your handluggage. Now any liquids going through security that are 100ml or less need to be in a clear resealable bag. 8 inches by 8 inches. No bigger please! And these should be like those zip lock freezer bags (tescos do small ones) not see through make up bags or wash bags and stuff; you will be made to transfer them!

And its only one clear bag per person. If you have more than one they will confiscate a bag and you won't get a choice on which one!

It's so much easier if you just put all your liquids in your main luggage...then there's no hassle at security. I'm only going take my vaseline, a small bottle of perfume and my hand cream through...they're all under 100mls and they all fit into a bag!

Liquid medicines are fine to take through...so long as un-prescribed medicines are 100mls or under, and prescribed medicines have the prescription/doctors letter with them (they can be over 100mls.)

DRINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED! I don't care how small you think the bottle is, they're not allowed. They don't make 100ml drinks lol.

I'd also like to add, that its the size on the container that counts. Not what's in it.

Now then...next thing. Handluggage.

The smaller your handluggage is, the better. That means the yellow people (i.e. me) outside security are less likely to want to try it in the bag guage. If you're going to be bringing a little suitcase as your handluggage it MUST FIT INSIDE THE BAG GUAGE!!! This includes the wheels and the handles. Basically the whole bag must go in and out comfortably. Otherwise you WILL be made to check it in. There's zero tolerance LOL.

Please make sure your nail scissors are in your main luggage. That includes any sharp objects except for hypodermic needles for medical reasons (i.e. diabetes). Skateboards are not allowed through security, and neither are the long umbrellas (with the point on the end...you know, the golfing type...they don't fit into the bag guage and are classed as a weapon). Little umbrellers that fold up into your handluggage are fine. Tennis rackets are allowed, but no other sports bats, and no fishing rods. Posters can go through no matter the size.

Right, I think that's all to my lecture! Just one more thing:

Please remove your coats and jackets, and have your boarding cards ready before you come through security it makes it a lot easier LOL.

Any questions welcome

 

I bet you know that spiel off by heart Louisa!

From working as a holiday rep doing airport duty and working in a travel agents now, I can pretty much just roll it off my tongue now.

 

Saying that 3000 times a shift kinda embeds it into your head. I don't even have to think about it anymore!

It's just one of those things that passengers say they didn't know about...and now you all do so no excuses!

 

instead of taking 2 cases i might just take one humongous one!

 

Louisa, am i allowed too put my laptop in my handluggage?! I'll be hassling you for the next week and a half now I have inside info!!!

 

Considering that I used to be a yellow person like Lou (except we wore red at my airport...), I'll field this one!

Laptops should be packed in handluggage! The way that baggage is handled for checked luggage makes it unsafe to pack them there. Also, laptops usually count as your "personal item" which means you can still have a piece of hand luggage. You will need to remove the laptop from your bag at security screening and it should be placed in the bin there for seperate screening. If your laptop is in one of those neoprene sleeves and there's nothing else in the sleeve, the US now allows you to leave the laptop in the sleeve without taking it out, but again, it will need to be removed from your bag. I'm not sure whether this allowance is being applied this side of the atlantic or not though!

Also, you may be asked to turn on your laptop to make sure that it's actually a laptop.

For further info, I'll defer to the skipper

 

Hehe yes you can take a laptop through...you may be asked to take it out of your handluggage for seperate screening though. Just stick it in the tray seperately hehe. It used to be that all laptops had to be taken out of luggage so it could go through the xray seperately, but apparently they only check random ones now.

But still, you may take your laptop

 

Thanks Guys.... I'm trying too think of more questions for you whilst I'm on a roll but i think thats all i needed too no.

 

How comes a tennis racket is deemed a safe piece of sporting equipment but nothing else?? Did John McEnroe make up these rules!!

 

I have no idea lol...I think it's because the strings can break and that can get quite expensive, but otherwise I've no idea...I just inforce the rules! Musical instruments are also allowed, but no grand pianos please LOL!

 

Louisa.....are you going to be working at Gatwick on the 1st December between 8-10am?! If you are...I WILL SEE YOU THERE!! Hehe how magical would that be? Getting to see the famous Skipper Lou just before my flight to Florida WOWZA!!

 

Awwww no I'm not!!! Its my day off (I have to be in to collect the dollars that are being sent to our house). Who are you flying with??? I only work in North Terminal anyway. If it had been the 2nd I would have been there!!

But its ok...you can meet famous ole me in Feb haha

 

We're flying with BA from the North Terminal I think?! Well obviously, you will know whether or not I am correct there!!

Never mind, I look forward to seeing you in Feb. Maybe you could take us on a mass trip to the Jungle Cruise and give the spiel as you go around?

Btw, how have the interviews gone? I'm sorry I can't remember if you've had your F2F yet? ???

 

Oh so you would be in North!! That sucks, I could have Fast Track'd you....you're flying on the wrong day haha!

Yes I plan on plundering a boat on the jungle so I can give everyone a special Skipper Lou version hehe.

And when I say you'll see me in Feb...I'm coming to work!!! (how did you not know this?? LOL). I start the CRP on the 3rd woo! in F&B.

 

OMG LOUISA!!!

 

You've got me all excited again LOL

This chair is really hard :-\