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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."
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?
http://www.anvilcase.com/
Windows is not the answer.
Windows is the question.
The answer is "NO."
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.
More likely, in his case, hand lotion.
Don't drink the water. The local wine or beer is probably much better.
Invenio via vel creo
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.
I'm a happy pessimist. I expect and prepare for the worst, when it doesn't happen I am pleasantly surprised.
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.
but no more than 5ml!!
One plug adapter + One power strip = One room with lots of plugs you can use.
I once had a japanese customer that really enjoyed himself seeing me eat "natto" (a sort of soy bean curd gone terribly mad) at breakfeast in Hokkaido.
When he came to visit in Paris I brought him to an "only cheese" french restaurant. And we really have delicious but very smelly cheeses here 8)
(for cheese lovers, they have a "Crescendo" plate, where you start with a light, fresh goat cheese and finish with something called ""Le Gris", which is like the strongest goat cheese ever, even stronger in taste and smell than "l'Epoisse")
The next time in Japan, I got an invitation to the best non-sushi restaurant in town. Seems he got the message all right.
It takes 40+ muscles to frown, but only four to extend your arm and bitchslap the motherfucker
One of our biggest problems right now is how to move money internationally.
All the banks we've discovered have big fees and numerous anti-customer arrangements. How do you write a check in Euros or Brazilian Reais? How do you move one currency to another without paying a bank a huge amount?
We need ATM cards that allow withdrawing money in the currency of the country in which we are working -- without paying the large fee banks charge, or the "3%" currency exchange fee that is, in fact 5%.
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.
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.
Pelican or Seahorse case. Seahorse is about 1/2 price of pelican w/ approximately the same quality. Personally, I use a large pelican case for my checked luggage. A giant (12" x 18") emu (not EMO!!!) decal proves I'm a TSA trusted air-traveler. FedEx (or use preferred parcel delivery service) your tools and equipment ahead of time if possible. Other tips... Make sure you take a licensed taxi. Although traveling 105 MPH through Seoul was thrilling, and the selection of 10-year old music videos was humorously satisfying, you may have to explain the $150 charge claimed on your expense report. If you frequent airport hangars, or similar restricted areas, don't wander far...underpaid soldiers with expensive weapons do not joke around. Don't exhange currency in airports...they often provide the worst rates. Look to your local banks, as they can provide competitive rates. Become acquainted with the local customs and make an effort not to be an ignorant. You may be rewarded with an all-night, all-expenses-paid party featuring gorgeous english-students from around the world, soju and gamjatang.