im a newbie and start at May on the 1st. I hear not to take a labtop. what if thats the only way I pay the bills?? No labtop, no bills and thats not good. I need a place and my vehicle when I return. Any idea's?? If I can fit it in the my clothes, why noy??

Steel toed boots? And what shoes do you use to drive, if different?

Go for comfort, I'm guessing, but should you have steel toes too? Most of the warehouses I've been in required them.

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John G - Misplaced Cajun, 48 fan, hard worker, and a good eater...

thanks. I will remember that when I start to Crete, Lord willing.

This all fits in a small pouch, fanny pack, or luggage compartment. I like a small pouch with strap and I take it with me everywhere (when I get out of plane/train/car). Some of these items I carry knowing there will be better 'primary' ones to use, but I like a backup -- two is one, one is none.

• pocket poncho (personal tarp/backup rain gear)
• space blanket
• match book wrapped in foil
• very small writing notebook
• 2 ballpoint pens, black sharpy pen
• medium plastic ziplock bag (so I can see what is in it) with disposable razor, soap, comb, toothbrush, paste, bandaides, couple gause pads, peptobismal pills, 1 pill bottle with a few vitamins, cold pills, aspirin inside. I also carry a couple prescription anti-biotics pills, but several garlic pills work too. small deodorant and shampoo. nail clippers. several ear plugs for sleeping. This plastic bag is also good if something leaks or breaks!
• pocket pouch of wetnaps (better than TP -- no itchy butt!)
• small flashligh to see around sleeping area and bathrooms etc.
• gerber/leatherman multi-tool w/ pliers (on belt usual)
• 1 power bar or cliff bar as emergency meal
• hankie or bandanna
• one pair of clean underwear
• empty plastic shopping bag or medium trash bag
• paperback novel to read when bored
• very small and cheap mp3 player with music that I don't care if it is lost or stolen ($10 these days!)
• small keyring combo compass thermometer
• cheap sun glasses
• 2 extra AA batteries for light or mp3
• prepaid long distance phone card

Also a windproof medium jacket and a 1 liter bottle of water to sip.

Now, this is a very long list, but if I put on the jacket, sling the pouch and put the water in the jacket pocket my hands are free to do work or move about. Or I can put the jacket, water bottle, and small pouch at my feet or next to me on a seat. If I was driving a vehicle I put them someplace else -- but the idea is if the manure hits the air cooling device I can grab these things easily and move fast. Or if I get stranded/delayed away from my main gear I can make myself comfortable with these items. With the poncho and space blanket I could even sleep outside if I had to in some climates!

Example pouch:

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I dont see why someone would tell you not to bring a laptop, I would and do. And if you use your to do all that then I definitly would.

great thread!

I'll add for women specifically:

I plan to take: individually wrapped towelettes,
dry shampoo (you might not want to wet your hair if you are in a hurry and its long like mine -- takes forever to dry)
superabsorbent towel (these are fairly small and dry fast)
eye drops

I agree with the small first aid kit, and I would throw a blister stick in there (they are small and lightweight)

I love the earplugs idea. I will definitely need those.

Oh yeah and I think a PDA would be easier than a laptop. I just got a Treo and can do almost everything I can do on my laptop (sorta kinda), plus it takes pics and video, and it works as an MP3 player. I can also add a chip for more memory. Needless to say I will keep this on my person at all times

wow this is a great post!!!!! thanks for all the info

Did anyone mention a couple pair of cheap gloves? Nothing expensive, throwaways.

It seams we've gottin off the subject at hand. not to interupt the map vs gps debate, but I'll be starting my training in two weeks and would like to get back to what should I bring or not bring,