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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → Whats in your suitcase?
Should you hang your passport around your neck under a shirt??.....years ago, my daughter did a student exchange and lived in Italy for a semester, the teachers that went with the kids were married and preached about guarding your passport as well as credit cards....to make a long story short, they had everything stolen from their hotel room and went through a horrendous time getting everything straightened out...any suggestions??
Dave
Should you hang your passport around your neck under a shirt??.....years ago, my daughter did a student exchange and lived in Italy for a semester, the teachers that went with the kids were married and preached about guarding your passport as well as credit cards....to make a long story short, they had everything stolen from their hotel room and went through a horrendous time getting everything straightened out...any suggestions??
Dave
I keep my passport on me all the time. Just put it somewhere where it can't get nicked by a pickpocket.
Your hotel should have a safe where you can leave valuables. Never leave anything worthwhile in a hotel room.
Another tip, especially for those who will be visiting London for the first time and who are not used to urban travel by public transport in a major city (i.e this would exclude New Yorkers or Chicagoans) - you will be traveling by tube (subway) on a daily basis while in London. Some of these journeys may well be at peak hours in very crowded carriages. That is where the (obvious) tourist is most vulnerable to 'attack' by professional pick-pockets.
I think that hanging your passport around your neck is possibly a little over the top for London, but certainly keep it in a safe inner pocket. Ladies, keep your handbags closed and under tight control when in a crowd. The rest is just common sense. 
edit - the contents of Cathy's case are likely to be pretty amusing, when she gets around to posting them! Of course, as a (now) experienced trans-Atlantic traveler, she'll be packing at the last moment. 
For those that are traveling over from the States to the Europe:
Be sure and let your credit card company(s) and your Bank (if you plan you using your ATM card) know that you are traveling abroad and what dates. Sometimes if they see unusual activity and they don't know that you are traveling, they could freeze your account until they hear from you.
Also, we never bring any currency over, just wait and use a Bank ATM (not the store kind) in the country you are visiting. You get a really good exchange rate that way...
Cheers...
Thanks David!....I just finished up with all the neccessary phone calls on my cards...I was also told to bring a little cash "just in case"....my Visa put a fraud alert on my accounts for the time I'll be over the pond...so anyhow....I'm getting a little nervous overthinking, I hope the "masterlist" is complete
Shred
Another tip, especially for those who will be visiting London for the first time and who are not used to urban travel by public transport in a major city (i.e this would exclude New Yorkers or Chicagoans) - you will be traveling by tube (subway) on a daily basis while in London. Some of these journeys may well be at peak hours in very crowded carriages. That is where the (obvious) tourist is most vulnerable to 'attack' by professional pick-pockets.
I think that hanging your passport around your neck is possibly a little over the top for London, but certainly keep it in a safe inner pocket. Ladies, keep your handbags closed and under tight control when in a crowd. The rest is just common sense.
edit - the contents of Cathy's case are likely to be pretty amusing, when she gets around to posting them! Of course, as a (now) experienced trans-Atlantic traveler, she'll be packing at the last moment.
Got a real dumb question....what happens to an american who catches a pick pocket, and gets a little angry with em and decides to take justice into his own hands....hey, I'm just askin 
"Buford T. Pusser".....who???...
Amsterhammer wrote:Another tip, especially for those who will be visiting London for the first time and who are not used to urban travel by public transport in a major city (i.e this would exclude New Yorkers or Chicagoans) - you will be traveling by tube (subway) on a daily basis while in London. Some of these journeys may well be at peak hours in very crowded carriages. That is where the (obvious) tourist is most vulnerable to 'attack' by professional pick-pockets.
I think that hanging your passport around your neck is possibly a little over the top for London, but certainly keep it in a safe inner pocket. Ladies, keep your handbags closed and under tight control when in a crowd. The rest is just common sense.
edit - the contents of Cathy's case are likely to be pretty amusing, when she gets around to posting them! Of course, as a (now) experienced trans-Atlantic traveler, she'll be packing at the last moment.
Got a real dumb question....what happens to an american who catches a pick pocket, and gets a little angry with em and decides to take justice into his own hands....hey, I'm just askin
"Buford T. Pusser".....who???...
Knighted?
Shredit,
Don't forget to bring some goodies over the pond for the local girls, nylon stockings and chocolate are always winners, hard to get in London with the rationing.
Shredit,
Don't forget to bring some goodies over the pond for the local girls, nylon stockings and chocolate are always winners, hard to get in London with the rationing.
Also Oreos to hand out to the urchins in the street.
Shredit,
Don't forget to bring some goodies over the pond for the local girls, nylon stockings and chocolate are always winners, hard to get in London with the rationing.
I'm biting my hand so hard trying not to say something comical .....instead I will show the "gentleman" side of Shred, even if it's completely phony! 
Come on Shred! Aren't you just the least bit curious how much lap dances are going for in London? 
Come on Shred! Aren't you just the least bit curious how much lap dances are going for in London?
Wuts dat? 
Another suggestion:
Washcloth or sponge if you use one for bathing bring it. Hotels will supply towels but aside from the Hilton I've never seen washcloths provided by hotels in Europe. Bring soap and shampoo - many places give you this broad spectrum body wash crap...
The ladies will probably enjoy those neat towel warmers. If your room doesn't have one I'd complain!
Amsterhammer wrote:Dept. of more useful tips for US travelers -
Many (if not all) modern cell phone and (camera) battery chargers work from 110-220 (you can check this on the metal badge on the adapter) - this means that all you need is a US>UK/Europe plug adapter. You should be able to buy one at your point of departure as long as it's an international airport, otherwise you can pick one up when you land.
Ditto on laptop computer power supplies. Look carefully at the label (could be raised print on the plastic). It should say something to the effect of "100-240 Volts, 50-60 Hz".
Shred it ain't what's goin in my suitcase it's whats gonna be in there on the way home. Scotch, scotch and more scotch!
If anyone is so inclined, legally you can bring in up to 30 bottles before Customs will ask you for your BATFE import license.
Practically, I'm not sure if transatlantic flights allow bottles in carry-on. If you have a connection from your port of entry in the US on a domestic flight absolutely no bottles in your carry on bags are allowed. I asked about that last year on my flight home from Germany and was told that duty free bottles were allowed in the cabin (but you had to put them into your checked bag once you got home to the US if you were taking a connecting flight). According to TSA regulations you can have up to 5 litres in your checked bag (standard european bottles are 70 cl so you can legally bring in 7 of those). None can be over 70% abv (140 proof). With 7 bottles customs will probably wave you on through. If not figure about $2 per bottle for excise on the alcoholic content and about $4 per bottle for duty on the value (for the ones after your first duty free bottle). Wrap them up good in your worn clothing. I've never lost a bottle (yet).Got the IPod locked and loaded. Likely bringing the portable DVD player too (last minute decision).
You might want to check regarding carrying liquids on board... security regs mostly restrict you to 100Ml (which is TINY) in carry on...and putting any bottles of alcohol in hold luggage is STRICTLY prohibited as a\its a major fire hazard and classified as HazMat (in US Speak - "Dangerous Goods here").... best case scenario is the animals in baggage handlingthrow your case , as is normal..and it breaks and all your clothes are soaked and full of broken glass!!:( The only way to carry alcohol on board without causing trouble is to buy it at duty free after checkin (which of course makes the whole secuirty thing a total farce...but hey... its keeps the masses happy
Another tip, especially for those who will be visiting London for the first time and who are not used to urban travel by public transport in a major city (i.e this would exclude New Yorkers or Chicagoans) - you will be traveling by tube (subway) on a daily basis while in London. Some of these journeys may well be at peak hours in very crowded carriages. That is where the (obvious) tourist is most vulnerable to 'attack' by professional pick-pockets.
I think that hanging your passport around your neck is possibly a little over the top for London, but certainly keep it in a safe inner pocket. Ladies, keep your handbags closed and under tight control when in a crowd. The rest is just common sense.
edit - the contents of Cathy's case are likely to be pretty amusing, when she gets around to posting them! Of course, as a (now) experienced trans-Atlantic traveler, she'll be packing at the last moment.
He's right you know... it happens a LOT on the Tube... so be a little cautious!
RICjunkie wrote:Amsterhammer wrote:Dept. of more useful tips for US travelers -
Many (if not all) modern cell phone and (camera) battery chargers work from 110-220 (you can check this on the metal badge on the adapter) - this means that all you need is a US>UK/Europe plug adapter. You should be able to buy one at your point of departure as long as it's an international airport, otherwise you can pick one up when you land.
Ditto on laptop computer power supplies. Look carefully at the label (could be raised print on the plastic). It should say something to the effect of "100-240 Volts, 50-60 Hz".
Shred it ain't what's goin in my suitcase it's whats gonna be in there on the way home. Scotch, scotch and more scotch!
If anyone is so inclined, legally you can bring in up to 30 bottles before Customs will ask you for your BATFE import license.
Practically, I'm not sure if transatlantic flights allow bottles in carry-on. If you have a connection from your port of entry in the US on a domestic flight absolutely no bottles in your carry on bags are allowed. I asked about that last year on my flight home from Germany and was told that duty free bottles were allowed in the cabin (but you had to put them into your checked bag once you got home to the US if you were taking a connecting flight). According to TSA regulations you can have up to 5 litres in your checked bag (standard european bottles are 70 cl so you can legally bring in 7 of those). None can be over 70% abv (140 proof). With 7 bottles customs will probably wave you on through. If not figure about $2 per bottle for excise on the alcoholic content and about $4 per bottle for duty on the value (for the ones after your first duty free bottle). Wrap them up good in your worn clothing. I've never lost a bottle (yet).Got the IPod locked and loaded. Likely bringing the portable DVD player too (last minute decision).
You might want to check regarding carrying liquids on board... security regs mostly restrict you to 100Ml (which is TINY) in carry on...and putting any bottles of alcohol in hold luggage is STRICTLY prohibited as a\its a major fire hazard and classified as HazMat (in US Speak - "Dangerous Goods here").... best case scenario is the animals in baggage handlingthrow your case , as is normal..and it breaks and all your clothes are soaked and full of broken glass!!:( The only way to carry alcohol on board without causing trouble is to buy it at duty free after checkin (which of course makes the whole secuirty thing a total farce...but hey... its keeps the masses happy
US domestic airlines permit up to 5 liters spirits in checked baggage. I just make sure to wrap bottles carefully and to label the bottles should the bag get hand screened in securty. The contents must be under 70 % abv or 140 US proof. I've seen malts get up into the mid to high 60's abvs but never over 70%.
"US domestic airlines permit up to 5 liters spirits in checked baggage. I just make sure to wrap bottles carefully and to label the bottles should the bag get hand screened in securty. The contents must be under 70 % abv or 140 US proof. I've seen malts get up into the mid to high 60's abvs but never over 70%"
Crikey... I stand corrected..it seems even BA are doing the same as you say on Transatlantics..just checked - its here http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ba … blic/en_gb in the downloadable PDF at the bottom of the page... , though I cant help thinking its a very weird decision having been trained By BA on Hazmat not all that long ago.... and even if not considered flammable.. I reckon the breakage percentage will be at least 50% ... 
pack VERY well if you do!
NP bro. I've hauled many bottles home from Europe before and have never had a casualty. I wrap them well and they are remarkably sturdy considering the glass bottling.
Here's a list of stuff that is going in my back pack, I'm taking it on the plane with me....if you want to comment on any item, or add to this please do
MASK!!!!!....yes I'm paranoid
toilet seat covers
toilet paper
hand sanitizer
dental floss
toothpaste
toothbrush
bar soap
camera...with all the goodies
eye glasses with case (2 pair)
gum
medications
adaptors
zip lock bags
handtowel
lens cleaners
hand lotion
band aids
snacks....6 "snickers" candy bars
emergency phone numbers and and place of origin
My wife Debbie added this to my list
"Dont be trying out your corny imitations on any of the passengers or stewardess.....and no flirting with any women, no matter how good looking you think they are....and wipe that surprised look off your face before I smack you silly" 
Shred
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