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International Field Engineer Travel Tips?

Posted by timothy on from the just-what's-in-your-emergency-repair-kit dept.

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."

6 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. What is an "Emergency Repair Kit"? by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you need to take a large set of tools with you, get dedicated hardcase luggage with foam cutouts for each item. Is that what you mean by "Emergency Repair Kit"?

    Is it possible to ship the hardware you need to the site a few days before you arrive?

    Can you learn to pack so that you don't ruin one set of stuff with another set of stuff?

  2. Condoms by Hatta · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Bring lots of condoms.

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  3. One word: FedEx by pla · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Seriously - Ship your supplies (and if possible, clothing) there, and ship them back. You should only have two things to actually lug around while travelling - You, and a book to read on the plane.

  4. Obligatory by FurtiveGlancer · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Don't drink the water. The local wine or beer is probably much better.

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    Invenio via vel creo
  5. Re:several suggestions by Otter · · Score: 2, Insightful
    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.

    Even if they suggest it, half the time they're afraid to eat it themselves and you can turn the tables on them. If they were really nonchalant about eating it, it probably wouldn't have occurred to them to snicker at you. (Just like you wouldn't think twice about ordering potato skins for Japanese...)

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    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  6. Re:Ship the gear by Grishnakh · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Who cares if the box arrives empty? That's your employer's problem, not yours. If they want to send people to all kinds of godforsaken countries where corruption is the rule rather than the exception, they should be prepared for stuff to disappear. They can raise their prices to the customers in these countries to make up for the losses.