Hurricane Helene canceled hundreds of flights. 5 gadgets that I pack in case of delay

Hurricane Helene led to multiple airport closures last week, with Tampa International Airport, Tallahassee International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport all closing Thursday. No one expects their next flight to be delayed or canceled, but the reality is that this happens often – more than 20% of the time, according to recent figures. facts from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics – and if the setback is significant, it could mean hours of waiting in line and waiting before customer service can get you back on the road. Read here how you can support those affected by Hurricane Helene.

My view on what to pack in a carry-on bag changed permanently in 2013, when my flight home from Japan was delayed by 14 hours. Since I had little money at the time, I couldn’t afford to leave the airport and book a hotel, so I drove to the terminal. To share updates with loved ones and avoid boredom, I had to find ways to keep my devices powered on; Having to search for an open socket and be frugal about which item to charge next only added to the stress of the whole ordeal. Having the right gear in my carry-on would have made things a lot less stressful.

Read more:
• 3 steps to take immediately if your flight is canceled or delayed
• Air travel delays and flight cancellations: what you need to know

I’ve been a digital nomad for eight years now, so I travel all year round and love it. Having the right technology can keep me entertained, informed, and getting work done wherever I am in the world, and it can help you beat the boredom of being delayed in a terminal due to a natural disaster happening in another part of the country. . Take one or more of these items with you in your carry-on luggage, in case your next trip experiences an unexpected delay.

Gadgets to take with you in your hand luggage

Traveling has taught me that I can’t always rely on the Wi-Fi network of the places I stay.

In Kenya, where my family is from, I had to disconnect my phone because the network on Airbnb didn’t exist. I’ve also stayed in too many hotels with terribly slow WiFi.

My Wi-Fi mobile device has helped me avoid many unexpected travel experiences. I like the RoamWiFi 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Router because it is fast, has good range, and can connect to various devices to provide Wi-Fi coverage. It’s an investment, but if internet connectivity is essential to your travels, consider prioritizing a hotspot router.

I spend a lot of time on the road and have few options to power my electronic devices. Power banks have been a lifesaver on planes, trains, buses and cars.

I use the Anker MagGo Power Bank to keep my most important electronics charged, which for me includes an iPhone, iPad, Bose headphones, and a MacBook Pro. It’s small enough to fit in my carry-on, but rugged enough to meet my power needs in the event of a misfortune, like when the Airbnb or hotel has a power outage (which has happened before).

You never know when you’ll get stuck somewhere while traveling. Ensuring you have enough power to power your devices can help you maintain peace of mind in emergency situations.

This Anker cord has both regular power outlets and USB ports, and is small enough to fit in a carry-on bag. I can charge 11 devices at once if necessary, which is great for Airbnbs that look nice but don’t have real outlets.

The extension cord also has overvoltage protection, which is important because other countries sometimes regulate the power differently. Connect the extension cord to your international adapter; This ensures that you only need one adapter for your entire trip.

Over the years, international adapters have become smaller and more versatile, and you can now fit them in a backpack.

I travel with the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter because it has multiple port types, so it works well as an all-in-one option. Make sure to check that the country you are visiting is compatible with the adapter you end up packing.

Since I work remotely, I have to do a lot on my laptop while traveling. Typing so much on a laptop keyboard can make my wrists hurt. I even ended up in a hospital in Colombia once because of nagging wrist pain. After that experience, I now take a laptop stand with me everywhere I go.

The Tonmom Laptop Stand is adjustable to different heights, easy to assemble and small enough to fit in your laptop bag. Your wrists will thank you. Laptop stands are also good for your device, as the height gives ventilation fans more room to release heat.

The right carry-on luggage makes traveling easier

You never know what can happen while you travel, but if you have the right gadgets you can prepare for those unexpected moments. Look at your upcoming trips and see if any of these gadgets would make the trip easier.