Essential Packing List for Travel Disruptions

Recent travel disruptions in the Caribbean have underscored the necessity of a comprehensive packing list. Travel writer Meagan Drillinger shares lessons learned from navigating travel chaos, emphasizing that the ability to work from anywhere is a necessity and a safety net. She recalls a specific incident in early 2020 when she was in Colombia just days before global airport shutdowns, where having the right essentials allowed life to continue despite the uncertainty.

Drillinger provides a detailed list of nine items she never travels without. These include a laptop with a VPN for work and entertainment, a portable battery bank powerful enough to charge devices, and a passport even for domestic flights. She also recommends carrying extra medication, protein bars, sleep aids like earplugs and an eye mask, and a bathing suit for stress relief. Additionally, she advises on the importance of portable WiFi or an international data plan to stay connected, and travel insurance, which she considers mandatory after a friend's serious accident in Thailand. The core message is that packing for potential problems is not pessimistic, but practical.

For Meagan Drillinger, a travel writer whose income depends on mobility, the ability to work remotely is not a luxury but a requirement. She notes that recent travel chaos in the Caribbean highlighted how travelers without the necessary tools to function when plans unravel face significant stress. Drillinger states, "For me, the ability to work from anywhere isn't a productivity flex or a digital nomad brag; it's a necessity. It's a safety net."

To maintain this safety net, she recommends two specific items that ensure productivity and power access:

• A laptop with a VPN: Drillinger insists on never going anywhere without her laptop, as it provides leverage, time, and flexibility during cancellations. It also serves as an entertainment system, and a VPN allows access to streaming services from any location.
• A portable battery bank: When flights are canceled, outlets become scarce. A battery bank powerful enough to charge a laptop allows travelers to stay online without fighting for wall space. Drillinger has filed stories from airport floors using this method.

When travel plans disintegrate, maintaining physical health and comfort becomes paramount. Drillinger emphasizes that delays can stretch on, and pharmacies or restaurants may close. She advises carrying extra medication beyond what is expected to be needed, including pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medication, Pepto, and electrolytes. She warns, "When your body starts failing on top of travel disruptions, everything feels 10 times worse."

Comfort items are equally critical for enduring long waits in airports or unexpected hotel stays. The following items are recommended to maintain stability:

• Emergency snacks: Protein bars help maintain steady blood sugar when food options are limited or closed, preventing hunger from worsening decision-making.
• Rest aids: Earplugs and an eye mask are essential for sleeping in loud terminals. Drillinger also advises packing more socks and underwear than necessary, as comfort takes precedence over aesthetics if the trip extends and laundry access disappears.
• A bathing suit: While it may seem frivolous, access to water—such as pools, hot springs, or beaches—can provide a grounding experience and a break for the nervous system during stressful delays.

Staying connected and having the correct documentation are vital for navigating rerouted flights and border changes. Drillinger advises carrying a passport even on domestic trips, noting that "Borders get strange quickly." She describes it as an item one hopes never to need but absolutely cannot be without when plans stop making sense.

Regarding connectivity, Drillinger warns that deadlines do not pause for travel delays. She recommends:

• Portable WiFi or an international data plan: This ensures independence from hotel routers or café passwords. She notes that connectivity is the difference between falling behind and staying afloat when travel breaks down.

Finally, Drillinger highlights the importance of travel insurance. She stopped viewing it as optional after a travel companion was involved in a serious motorbike accident in Thailand. The companion spent a week in a Thai hospital, with costs fully covered by their insurance.