Five things that should always be inside your carry on bag

While there are a number of "must have" items on every traveler's list, here are five that -- regardless of circumstances -- you should always pack in your carry on bag.

1. A special case, wallet, or envelope that you use only for your passport, tickets, travel vouchers, emergency numbers, and spare cash. There are many types of cases available, including pricey models in leather and embossed with initials (yours or the designer's). The type of case you use isn't important, but the fact that it's a special case is. Even if you're the most stressed, forgetful traveler in the world, you'll always know how to find your passport, travel documents, and emergency numbers no matter what the situation. No rummaging through your purse full of scraps of paper, cosmetics, and keys. You know the drill. Make sure the case is small enough to fit, but large enough to accommodate those important items you need to store inside.

2. A quart-size plastic zip lock bag for a few of the toiletries you absolutely can't live without. Items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shaving cream, and face creams go into this bag. The amount of items is determined by your needs and the bag itself, because that bag holds the maximum amount of items that are considered "liquids" that you are permitted to bring on board, PROVIDED no single container inside that bag holds more than 50 ml. You can buy travel-size items or make them, but don't try to bring your big can of hairspray or shampoo bottle. They'll get confiscated.

3. Underwear -- enough for at least two days -- plus an extra clean t-shirt or top. So they lost your luggage and who knows when it'll arrive. If you're lucky, it'll come the next day, but if it doesn't, having extra underwear with you will help you feel clean even if you can't change the rest of your clothes. And if you've got more than one underwear change, you've got a chance to dry a pair that you've hand washed, in case the luggage takes extra time to find you. 

4. Something terrific to read. Long, international flights used to feature plenty of free magazines for those who didn't bring their own reading material. Not any more. These things add weight, so you'll find less and less aboard. Reading material fills in the hours if you can't sleep or you can't bear watching another movie on that tiny monitor. 

5. Socks. If you're on a flight that takes more than four hours, you'll really do yourself a favor by removing your shoes, stowing them in your overhead compartment, and wearing a comfortable pair of socks instead. This is a good idea even for those who fly in athleltic shoes or sandals. If you have slippers that are very soft, fold up like socks and can keep your feet warm and snuggly, those will work too. The main thing is to keep your feet from feeling cold from the frequently over-cooled air on board, and allow the small amount of swelling that invariably takes place when you fly to happen unconstricted. It might take a shoehorn to put your shoes back on when the flight lands, but the journey will be much more comfortable.