Find Out What’s In These Journalists’ Bag Of Tricks

My tape recorder suddenly stopped in the middle of an important interview. I hadn’t packed spare batteries, so by the time I got back to my office, I had forgotten a few important facts. As a result, I learned a lesson—for not only had I relied on the tape recorder, but hadn’t brought a pad or pen! This incident inspired me to create a list of essential items to take on any trip – just in case.

Several NATJA members have their own list of “must have” items along when traveling, including the hand wipes that Linda Kavanagh carries with her on trips, and the Benadryl that Diane Tritt Eaton packs. Long-time travel journalist Maxine Sommers includes medication to treat headaches or indigestion due to consuming bad food. She also takes Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, battery charges to keep her camera and cell phone working, extra pens, a notebook, important phone numbers, a small flashlight with fresh batteries, tiny scissors, and at least $100 tucked away on her person.
Instead of checking his luggage, Howard Hian uses an Eagle Creek roll-on, and notes that he “never fails to take a Platinum noise canceling headset; iPod shuffle, cell phone and quick-dry clothes.

Food and travel writer Charyn Pfeuffer depends on her Solio solar charger. “It charges my Blackberry, digital camera and laptop, plus it eliminates the need for batteries, having to pack a lot of adaptors, power cords/chargers and voltage converters.” In addition, Pfeuffer uses a small padlock.

“To lock my suitcase when leaving luggage with concierge services, especially when traveling abroad. A backpack is used to stow important items while exploring nearby cities for one to two nights.” Krazy Glue is another item she finds useful “because I can fix almost anything with this product—close a wound, fix broken eyeglasses, a broken heel or nail. It’s like having a Girl Scout in a tube! My Kindle is another ‘must have’ so I don’t have to schlep hard copies of books and magazines. Newspaper and magazine subscriptions are delivered/downloaded to the Kindle and I’ll usually download a few books as well before a big trip. The Kindle is compact, lightweight and convenient, and I won’t leave home without 10 tabs of Cipro; 10 tabs of Ambian; a reusable water bottle; ear plugs; Blackberry World Edition; personal photos; Gin Gins ginger candy for nausea; a photocopy of my passport and major credit card.”

When Jim Bruner travels, he uses a money belt. Placed inside is a copy of the first page of his passport, birth certificate and credit card, along with an 800 number to call should the card is misplaced; a list of any prescriptions; name, address and phone number and emergency contact; copy of a checking account check; savings account number and bank information. His carry-on contains any prescription meds; change of underwear; toiletry items; clean shirt; snacks and gum; reading material; tickets or confirmations for travel and accommodations; extra batteries and disks (or film) for the camera, and when traveling to Europe, a small amount of local currency as well as travelers’ checks.

Neala Schwartzberg can’t do without her Swany Walkin’ Bag. “I love it because it’s only eight pounds, and all four wheels roll and swivel,” while Bonnie Neely relies on a Sleep Sound machine when away because, she feels, “You never know what noise you might have to endure in or outside a hotel. The ­battery-operated Magellan brand allows me to place family photos on its built-in photo screen, and because this gadget folds flat, it is travel safe against crushing.”

Sheree Bykofsky takes her iPhone, charger, medicine, toothbrush, sunglasses, scissors, tweezers, hairbrush, business cards and an umbrella, and to save time, keeps extras of these items packed in her luggage. Editor and publisher William Tomicki brings a photo of his family with him because, he feels, “It is a constant reminder of their love and support. Since they aren’t always with me on the road, it makes being apart difficult, but to be able to see their smiling faces and connect with them even if only through a photo, enhances any trip.”

“A bathing suit takes up very little space in a suitcase,” notes editor/writer Heidi Ellison, “and you never know when you might get the chance to relax in a pool, hot tub or sauna which is a great way to relieve travel stress,” while journalism Professor Emeritus R. Thomas Berner, in addition to the usual clothing and toilet items, carries two cameras, extra digital cards, batteries, battery chargers, cell phone and charger, laptop with external hard drive, pens, paper, adapters for foreign travel, business cards and a Sony reader.”

Gary Lee Kraut keeps pen and paper on hand. Even though member Jennifer Miner considers herself a light packer, she says that there is one relatively new gadget she cannot leave behind or she’d feel at a loss. “That’s my teeny little, incredibly portable digital video camera—the Flip Mino HD. It holds up to an hour of video, and instantly uploads onto a laptop or computer via the built-in USB. It plugs in to recharge the same way, and the procedure is unbelievably fast. Once the video is uploaded, a busy travel writer can start the next day with those 60 minutes back. Stills are easily taken off the Flip to be made into digital photos.

Aaron Tuell, director of public relations for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, brings his Sudoku book when flying and likes to have fingernail clippers on hand. Like other NATJA members, Dr. Elinor Garely remembers to take her passport, credit cards and sunglasses, while adding Pepto, Duct tape, two pairs of reading glasses, an extra watch and a magnifying mirror. Andrea Granahan travels with clothing “that take up very little space, such as a rayon sarong that serves as a beach towel, a sheet, a shawl, a skirt, and a bathing suit cover-up also used as a dress.”

And, if a hotel desk clerk has ever forgotten to wake you at the requested time—as has happened to me—I never fail to travel with a small battery-operated alarm clock. It’s insurance that I’ll never be late for an appointment!

Arline Zatz is the award-winning author of Best Hikes With Children in New Jersey (The Mountaineers); 30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey (Backcountry); Horsing Around in New Jersey (Rutgers University Press), among others. Her features and photographs appear nationally in newspapers and magazines.