Air Travel! What do I take with me!

I use to commute via WestJet to and fro Fort Mac. With the current air security rules, it makes it very difficult to have the gear necessary, but there are ways to have some stuff. Most would fit the category of everyday carry. The most difficult item would be a knife. The one item that may be able to be converted into a knife in the event of surviving a plane crash or having to bug-out home would be a 6" steel machinist ruler (Lee Valley.) I had one in my daytimer and carried it on board every trip.
Other items I carried. I have a Gore-tex shell - a military type with large cargo pockets in the front and pockets on the upper arms. I would carry a down snowmobile mitt in each cargo pocket (left in left pocket, etc.), I also had a Outdoor Research windstopper fleece toque in one cargo pocket and a full face balaclava in the other. Now in my left upper arm pocket I had a Star Flash signal mirror and spare pen and pencil. In my right upper arm I had a 25 foot length of black paracord. In my carry-on bag I had my ID lanyard which also had a Fox-40 whistle, a pair of fleece gloves and a spare Star Flash signal mirror. I usually purchased a 591mL bottle of pop at the airport and packed that on the outside of my carry-on. I would also carry a few trail mix bars and some M&M peanuts. I had my Silva Ranger compass on some trips. I know this is rather limited, but airport security allowed these items, and it was better than absolutely nothing. On some trips I also carried a survival manual in my carry-on, as well as, a MP3 player, cellphone, and extra batteries AA & AAA. On a couple of trips I forgot my work Bic lighter in my pocket and no one noticed. I would always wear clothes that would serve me well if I had to walk through the bush or walk back home, Bate's Lace-to-toe Gore-tex combat boots with plastic hardware (did not put the metal detector into alarm = did not have to take my boots off to get through the airport security.) 5-11 Socks. 5-11 Travel Pants with conceal pockets. Columbia Long sleeve hiking shirt. T-shirt. My Gore-tex parka shell. And a Down vest in the winter under my parka shell. Also, in the winter I would wear Mountain Equipment Co-op Ferrata Pants in place of the 5-11's. I hope this was some help.

So here is a quick start on what I have started. This is a smaller pack that can fit inside my checked bag, as there were just a few items that I knew would not make it on my carry on bag. I am more or less thinking more about once I am some place rather than something happening while I am in the air.

sorry couldnt get the insert image to work so check out the quick pictures here. I know there is more to add and I will continue to grow this with more that still fits inside the small pack shown.

http://crashed.blog.ca/

Crashed,

I had a look at your blog. Short answer, IMO, replace your metal whistle with a Fox-40. Exchange a few of those Bic pens for a few pencils and a grease pencil. A metal cup or small pot to heat water would be valuable to you. I don't recall off the top of my head, did you have a personal sized First Aid Kit?? A water bottle would aid you as well.

Just my thoughts.

Mountainman.

Thanks Mountain. I do have some things to add for sure. The metal cup was one I had completely forgot about. will update again in a bit as I continue to grow it,

Hey Crashed,

Any updates, yet?? Any more pics?? We are interested in your progress on this project, you lead - other want to follow.

Mountainman.

I am working on trying to get it up to par as I actually have a long distance flight coming up nect week. Found a couple nice little additions so will post it in the next day or two.

Ok so back from my most recent air travel trip and here is what my bag now looks like.
I have maintained the Snugpak bag as the main bag, but added in a 5:11 6x10 pouch as well as a large compression sac. I pack the items into the Snugpak and the 5:11 pouch while the compression sac is stored inside the pouch and to be used when/if needed.
Starting from the bottom left;
-3 different ways to start fire. Flint & Steel, Storm Proof Matches, and 2 lighters, (note: I am adding a small container of cottonballs with Vasaline as starter) and a mirror. Pens and Sharpie for marking and writing (I will be adding a grease pencil), compass, spare batteries for flashlight, flashlight, and small green light. Next up is two can openers, I upgraded to a larger thermal bivy, along with another thermal blanket to use on the ground. Anti fog cloths since I wear glasses, upgraded my whistle as suggested (found these for $5 at MEC), and added in some asprine. I also added in some aquatabs for water purification, and a small stainless steel pot that comes with two cups that nestle inside. 50 ft of para cord, along with a knife sharpner, and two folding knives.

I will be upgrading the flashlight as funds allow, to a streamlight tacticle. I have also thought as funds allow of adding a really good fixed blade knife like an ESSE. Have also been looking for a better option for water purification and am impressed with the Lifesaver bottles, but the price HURTS.....perhaps if I can save enough pennies one day. Would sure be interested in hearing thoughts on them or other similar options. We also just recieved a few Tooblite glow sticks (rechargeable glowsticks!), which are great and will be adding one.

Hey Crashed,

I like the fact you were able to include a photo, that will help lots of folks checking out this site. Good work.

Your kit is coming along nicely. It is always that evil $$$ issue that holds us back from getting the kit we want and need. In time, you will have the $$$ to get the kit. Stick with it and you will achieve your goals. I will admit ignorance I am not familiar with the ESEE family of knives, no opinion. As for water purification, I am still stuck in the old school -boil it or use water purification tabs. I know I should get with the times and upgrade to a Katadyn filter system or one that is similar. Streamlight and Surefire both make good lights.

Keep us posted,

Mountainman.