When you're hovering by your gate at one of the most frustrating airports in the US, holiday travel can seem more tedious than fun.
For that reason, it's imperative that you do everything you can to make it go smoothly — like, for instance, packing the perfect carry-on.
Even if your luggage isn't lost (fingers crossed), you'll no doubt be glad to have a fully-stocked bag on hand at all times.
At the very least, it will spare you the expense of having to buy temporary replacements while your sweater/snacks/toothbrush idle in the bowels of an airplane.
As far as what should go in said bag, we asked experts and scoured the web to figure out what you'll need by your side.
This post was originally written by Mandi Woodruff.
Stop paying for airport WiFi and stay connected with your own MiFi hotspot.
Unless you're interested in shelling out up to $12 to use airport WiFi, it's a good idea to invest in a WiFi hotspot of your own.
With its slim, credit card-sized package and simple access to 4G networks, personal MiFi hotspots like the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE MiFi are a personal favorite of Yahoo! CEO Marissa Meyer and David Rush, cofounder and CEO of Earshot.
"It is a huge time-saver because you always know you can stay connected regardless of your location," Rush told Business Insider.
Bring a reusable water bottle to fill after going through security.
"My number one tip is to invest in a water bottle with a filter," said Talia Salem, a communications rep for PlanetWildlife. "I have taken this all over the world and it has saved me hundreds of dollars."
Brand is up to you (there are dozens to choose from online). Salem is a fan of the Camelback Groove ($25) and we're crazy for AquaGear water filtration bottles ($29.99).
They remove 99.99% of tap water contaminants and can save up to 600 plastic bottles over their lifetime.
Pack a small kit with medicines, band aids, and first aid essentials.
If you've ever paid $10 for a minuscule bottle of aspirin at an airport kiosk, you'll appreciate this tip.
Stock up on essentials like pain reliever, band aids, vitamins and cough drops before heading out on your flight, and be sure to pack them in your carry-on.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider