International Field Engineer Travel Tips?

ShamelessHero writes "I was recently hired as a Field Engineer, deploying servers, workstations and peripherals to sites around the globe. I try and travel light, but try as I might, the Emergency Repair Kit has ruined three sets of luggage so far. I know there are Slashdotters here who travel internationally and through some treacherous environs. What are the best travel tips you've come up with? Recommendations for durable, light yet large luggage are much appreciated."

Comments

Anvil Cases

[waa]

http://www.anvilcase.com/

Re:Anvil Cases

[Fallen Kell]

I was going to point these out as well. These things are unbelievable. We use them to ship stuff all over the place. I am talking about sending fully configured suites of computers (disks removed and foam support around the inside of case). They get there everytime and almost always without issue. Someone has to drive a forklift through the case for it to get destroyed (had that happen).

Ship the gear

[GlL]

While it may cost a little more, having your tools shipped will save wear and tear on the luggage, and the way airlines are charging extra based on weight of luggage, you will be better off not dealing with that potential snarl at the airport.
Since airline regs mandate that your tools go in the checked baggage, you will have a better chance of actually having your tools arrive at the same time you do if you ship them.

Re:Ship the gear

[Daneboy]

Agreed -- I don't know what is in your Emergency Repair Kit, but I imagine that it consists of lots of things that you would rather not have disappear into Luggage Limbo. If you check it as luggage, you *will* eventually find yourself getting off a plane in someplace like Tokyo only to find that your Repair Kit is in Buenos Aires. Ideally, ship it to the customer/destination early enough that you can verify delivery before you get on the plane. It's more up-front paperwork, but it saves a lot of problems on the back end. A few years ago I had a fairly lenghty discussion with a nice Customs Person in the Beijing airport who did not appreciate me trying to carry a fairly expensive network analyzer with me without having a receipt to show it belonged to me. Even though (a) it belonged to my employer, and (b) I had carried it with me INTO the country two weeks earlier. Much easier just to ship it in advance, and arrange for the customer to ship it back -- they'll know the local rules for "exporting" things.

several suggestions

[greywar]

Get a pelican case, waterproof and near indestructible for tools and equipment.

Get another for your stuff.

They come with removable foam, and you can customize spots for each tool.

Some other tips-
Carry some cash somewhere on your person other then your wallet. Carry more then one type of credit or debit card. (machine ate one of mine in china when I arrived in China. It was NOT a good day)

Printout maps to all the hotels you are staying at-its handy to show cab drivers that don't speak english.

Carry some basic things like a small travel toothbrush, and hand napkins on your person. If the plane you are about to board has the luggage loading door torn off-you will appreciate this as you spend the night somewhere with no luggage.

Deodorant is your friend-yeah they don't sweat in the 110 degree 90% humidity heat. If you were born in Minnesota, odds are you do.
Don't assume things. Some fun examples-
Going out to eat Pussy, in China refers to the district you are going to have dinner in NOT the activity.
When Chinese are saying "nigga" they are NOT referring to any color of your skin, its not related.
When asked if you want a "Chinese girlfriend" they are asking about a hooker, not if you want to meet nice Chinese women to get a girlfriend. Try to avoid conversations where at the end of it they assume you are gay. God that was funny later. Not so much at the time.

Buy tools and shavers that take both 110 and 220.
Bring adapter plugs.

Hotel networks are often horrifically infected with spyware etc-keep a firewall up, and up to date anti-virus.

If you don't think you can eat those chicken feet, or bugs without throwing up-decline.

If you CAN eat horrific things, and the locals are messing with you to make you look foolish-suggest a better place to eat, and take them somewhere where they turn green. Evil...but funny.

power strip

[coaxial]

One plug adapter + One power strip = One room with lots of plugs you can use.

Re:How to move money internationally?

[ZERO1ZERO]

This isn't a problem fr the last few years I have been in Europe (from UK) Just withdraw your cash and it'll give you it with no fee.

OneBag.com

[Optic7]

If you're not familiar with it, visit and study onebag.com - written by a fellow engineer. You don't have to religiously follow his objective of travelling with just one carry-on bag, but he has a lot of useful travel insight and tips on that site.

DJ Equipment works nice

[Anonymous Coward]

For travelling, musicians usually have really good gear for that sorta stuff. There are even setups that take racks in a portable unit for DJ's that need rackmounted stuff. They aren't near as deep as a typical "U" rack, but should have lots o space. The guitar cases (not always shaped like guitars on the outside), the turntable "coffin", and keyboard cases all would work great for electronic equipment. All the music equipment is getting so filled with electronics, the requirements for making the casings are quite similar. This is the route I would take if building a road warrior setup.

Also, shipping your stuff to the site is much easier than carrying it with you, and usually much cheaper. Many people noted that, and I would second it. :)

Re:Obligatory

[Anonymous Coward]

Less obvious: avoid any uncooked fruits and veggies that don't get peeled, as they can pick up water borne bugs when they're washed. So oranges and bananas are good, but lettuce is a no-no.