One of my buddy’s asked what I bring with me when I travel on business. I made a small video for him from my iPhone, but I thought I would publish contents of the Altoid kit that gets on the plane with me every time I fly. It is TSA friendly, but lacks a blade of any kind, and lacks a way to make fire. The two things the TSA would frown on and confiscate, yet has what I would consider travel related items that would allow me to be a bit more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation as I “should” have the gear that I put in my checked baggage when traveling. I always check a bag, as there is usually some preparedness item in the luggage that would not make it on the plane with me, such as a lighter and a pocket knife. That said, my “carry on Altoids tin/kit” is as follows:
- 1 — One quart plastic freezer bag,
- 2 Square feet of heavy duty aluminum foil
- 3 — Zyrtec antihistamine allergy tablets
- 3 — Altoids (takes the place of one piece of candy)
- 4 — 500mg Tylenol tablets
- 1 — Antiseptic towel
- 1 — Bouillon Cube
- 1 — 24 Hour Sudafed cold & flu tablet
- 1 — Each Salt & Pepper packet
- 1 — Button compass
- 3 — Needle and thread
- 25′ — Waxed String (Dental Floss)
- 3 — Safety Pin
- 2 — 4′ Steel 45lb Fishing Lures (to be used as snares if necessary)
- 8 — Iodine tablets to purify water
- 1 — Imodium tablet
- 1 — Tea bag (Earl Grey)
- 3 — Cotton Balls
- 3 — Band Aids
- 12″ — Duct tape cut into 3″ strips, stacked, and stuck to the inside of the lid
- 2′ — Electrical tape wrapped around the outside of the Altoid kit to seal it shut and have the tape for use
- 10′ — Paracord wrapped around the Altoid kit tightly.
There are certainly items that I might want in there, but they just would not make it on the plane. I do have another kit that is for everyday EDC with a way to make fire and cut inside of it, however. As for the picture, I have used this in another post, but all my Altoid kits look the same, but are labeled differently…
you can bring lighters on planes now.. the mini bic lighters should fit well in that
jn024 Yeah, I forgot about that. It slips my mind every time. I wonder if my zippo would be an issue?
What about a 9V battery and steel wool.
I have heard (I think Frank Sharpe Jr of Fortress Self Defense) will take scissors that have the screw holding the two pieces together, but have the screw loose so that it could be taken apart easily. Just keep the blades down to the acceptable length.
bjshideler I have heard the same thing. Because the blades are not sharpened at a certain angle, they allow them.
Additionally, my P38 can opener passes every time, and I have a plain (no finger handle) firesteel that passes as well. It sits in the same pocket as my pens. Just the rods can be purchased from firesteel.com. I bought a few a couple years ago, and I give them away to friends… Need to buy a couple more.
I carry a light-my-fire fire steel on my keys and have no problem. Kits must be portable and adaptable, I like what you have here.
dstewart Nice. I may pick one up and do the same then. Do you travel a lot with it? issues at different airports?
suburban I travel 10 — 20 times a year. I’ve had the fire steel for my last 5 trips with no issues.
This is great, well posted!
Jesse Mathewson Jesse, Thanks bro. Hope you have been well!