Unaccompanied Baggage

While the chaos of having just moved to the other side of the world is still fresh in my slightly clouded mind, I thought now would be a good time to share what I wish I had packed in our unaccompanied baggage!

It’s a question that many military families grapple with when facing a PCS (permanent change of station) overseas—what to send on ahead.   It might be helpful to understand why this pack-out is even scheduled for you.  It is mainly because there are certain items that you will need to have on hand once you have stopped living in hotels but before your household goods will arrive.  By definition, an overseas assignment pretty much requires an airplane, which makes packing for your survival somewhat problematic with all the restrictions levied by the TSA and the hassle of transferring your luggage by hand to an average of 3-5 locations before you’re settled, making the packing of the kitchen sink inconvenient to say the least.  So in your luggage you will want to pack only the clothes, toiletries, papers, and valuables required for about 2 weeks (though your transition time may be longer).

Since it’s hard enough lugging around 2 or more large suitcases or duffel bags as well as the standard one carry-on + personal item per person, the more you can put in your unaccompanied baggage, the easier it will be when you arrive at your new home.  But keep in mind that you may have to endure 1 or 2 days in an empty home without your UB because coordinating it to be delivered the day you move in would be wonderful, but probably won’t happen!  For those few days, be glad you have your luggage and keep your sense of humor.

If I were to do it all over again, the following list would have been what I would have sent ahead with unaccompanied baggage.  I hope this helps someone out there!

·         1 pillow, blanket, air mattress or pad, and sheet set per person in the family. (Don’t forget the pump for the air mattress and batteries if required.)

·         1 towel, washcloth, and hand towel per person

·         1 heavy winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves, and pair of boots per person (if PCSing in the winter)

·         1 clean, weather-appropriate outfit per person down to the socks and underwear (trust me on this!)

·         A kitchen-in-a-bag (or picnic basket) to include

o   One small-medium pot and pan, mixing bowl, disposable containers with lids (which can double as cereal or soup bowls), a small pitcher, can opener, spatula, wooden spoon, sharp knife, cutting board, collapsible colander, measuring cups and spoons, scissors (please do yourself a favor and pack a pair of scissors!), and a rubber spatula.

o   French press coffee maker, ground coffee, sweetener or sugar packets, dry creamer, salt and pepper, enough non-perishable food items for a first meal if necessary, and if they’ll let you pack it, one of those boxes of milk that doesn’t need to be refrigerated until it’s opened (but has to be used within 5 days).

o   1 travel coffee mug per coffee-drinker and one reusable water bottle per person. 

o   1 non-breakable place setting per person to include plate, bowl, flatware, and drinking cup.

·         A laundry basket with at least 2 kitchen towels, about 5 clothes-hangers per person, 3-in-1 laundry sheets and bleach tablets for whites, a collapsible or regular laundry hamper, 1-2 new sponges in wrapper,  disinfecting cleaning wipes, at least one shower curtain liner with rings (2 is better), and a few rags.

·         A basic tool kit to include a hammer, a handful of nails, pliers, a wrench, Allen wrenches, a flathead and Philips screwdriver, utility knife, a permanent marker, ruler, level, wire, sandpaper, duct tape, electrical tape, and work gloves.

·         Full size toiletry items (if your movers will take liquids) to include shampoo and conditioner, 2 bars of soap or body wash, and full size bottles, tubes, and tubs of whatever skin care you normally use (cleanser, moisturizer, night cream, eye cream, etc.), contact lens solution, deodorant, a full box of pads and/or tampons, hairspray, and it wouldn’t hurt to throw in a solid air freshener or two.

·         Some boredom busters for entertainment such as a few fun board games, a DVD player and some movies, and/or some favorite books if you’re not the downloading type ;-)

·         A first-aid kit.

Here are a few things to keep in mind—the packers may or may not take some items.  I’ve talked to families that have moved bottles of liquids and others whose movers wouldn’t touch them.  Be prepared to be told that certain things can’t be packed, but remember that many items can be mailed ahead (we did this with several necessities) or they may be available after you get there.  You may not end up using everything on this list, but the point is to be as prepared as possible.  The time frame is different for everyone; we had our UB packed out on 03 Jan, we arrived in country on 25 Jan, and our UB was available for delivery on 27 Jan but we weren’t in our place until 15 Feb which is when we took delivery.  It will take even longer for your HHG (household goods) to arrive especially if you packed a lot of furniture or books.  The lighter your shipment, the faster it will get to you, but don’t let this stop you from packing what you need!

I hope you have found this helpful.  You military members and spouses out there, feel free to comment if you have suggestions of your own!