Packing Tips for 20 Day Trips
 

Any advice from you ACMI folks on packing for these long trips? type of suitcase (obviously my 22" LW won't work) etc.

10 underpants. Wear one day, then turn inside out and wear the next day.

au contraire! underpants day 2, rotate front to back, Day 3, inside out, day 4 rotate again. 1 lasts 4 days/20 = 5 underpants total

ask where there is cheap laundry on the road (PI, China) away from the hotels.

Take half the clothes and twice the money you'd expect. Find laundry on the road - as mentioned there's no way you'll pack a single suitcase for a 20 day trip.

EDIT: The other thing you may want to consider is if you pass through a regular Asian or European gateway as you start/finish your trip you can stage a bag at the layover hotel. I keep clothes, extra shoes, workout stuff staged at select hotels around the globe. Also, stage extra uniform shirts at your layover hotels - send them to the laundry and pick them up next time you stay there.

Pack for 7 or 8 days. Many US hotels have coin operated machines. Overseas the hotels service will be pricey, thoough your fellow crewmembers will give you tips where to go. There are laundromats in many cities, Hotel Zeumes (I think Southern stays there) in Incheon does free laundry however will not separate colors etc. You'll always get a 1 in 7 which gives you time. There's always shampoo and the tub in a pinch. (an iron will help with the drying.)

It would have helped if you'd given us more information regarding where this trip goes. However, as has been said, pack for about half the trip, and no matter where you're going, there's sure to be a laundry service, either at the hotel (always rather expensive), near the hotel (cheaper), or a few blocks away (cheapest). All these services will provide less than 24 hour turnaround time. Some domestic hotels will have a guest laundry room, bring lots of quarters. Don't have your stuff laundered in any hotel in France or Italy, unless you've just hit the lotto, as they are way expensive. Perhaps carry some powdered laundry detergent and do underwear and work shirts in the sink on your longer layovers. Worse case, you can hang them to dry in the back as you fly from place to place. Most all domestic hotels have an iron and ironing board, but many international hotels will require you to call housekeeping to get them to deliver those items to your room. Finally, check the weather for where you're going and if you can, and have the legs for it, wear shorts. However, realize if you're going international, if you do wear shorts, the locals will know for sure that you don't belong around there and will be panhandling you like crazy. They will anyway, as they always seem to recognize we Americans.

If you have to pack for COLD climate, you're pretty much screw'd, warm is easier, to a point. Ditto on what Rama said. I bring some powdered laundry soap in ziplock bags and quarters. I'm told that 100 WAN coins are dead ringers for quarters:eek:, never op-checked that one, might be a party foul in some circles. Polo/golf shirts that go with black pants are popular, one pair of jeans, standard quota of skivvies etc. It all fits in a 22'' roller bag.

If you pass through a place very regularly (ANC) the hotel may let you store a bag there with some extras. (fishing gear!)


Have fun:cool:

lots of lube and adult entertainment and leave your pride at home.

I thought it was funny

Mmmmm twenty days, Huh?
 

Might you be fresh meat in the Southern grinder? Check with your class mates or other nonsched lifers.

I carry a 22" drag-along and a small duffle or backpack for the cold and wet season. Ditto for all of the previous postings. I used to have a roll of quarters on my pre-departure from home packing list. There are a few places just a little walk from the hotels. Sometimes there are cleaners that would like to get your regular business, so ask for discounts away from the hotel. Check with your hotel commitee to see if there is or could be some concessions from the hotel.

Some guys bring groceries, unless you have a special diet requirement, don't do it. Your beef jerky will get confiscated in Japan! I lost some good Pemican that way.:mad: