I Average 300,000 Air Miles Each Year, and These Are the 15 Items I Always Pack

"I'm so proud of my carry-on packing skills that I don't mind when TSA agents randomly screen my bag. On the contrary, I look forward to showing off my bag's contents and how organized I am. Of course, I didn't come out of the womb knowing what I would need to have on me at all times while in transit. I've accrued that knowledge over the last 10 years as a travel writer."

"I've already flown 30,000 miles this year, while my Subaru has sat in my garage collecting dust. In March, I'll spend 76 hours flying from Montana to the Maldives and back. It's going to be a taxing experience-pun intended-but I know I'll survive thanks to my proverbial bag of tricks (a.k.a. my carry-on). Everything I pack has been meticulously vetted to ensure I'm as calm and comfortable as possible, whether I'm crammed in coach or killing time on a long layover."

An experienced traveler has refined a carry-on packing system over a decade and thousands of miles to ensure comfort and calm during long journeys. The carry-on selection includes 15 vetted items for coach travel and extended layovers, such as cushioned slides and a memory-foam travel pillow. A versatile Osprey Transporter 40L duffel serves as a water-repellent, abrasion-resistant carry-on that converts to a backpack and features a lockable main compartment. Lightweight Lululemon Restfeel slides are kept on hand after a lost-luggage incident, offering traction and foam cushioning for moving around the cabin.

Read at Travel + Leisure