Eventually, it will happen; you’re standing at the luggage carousel watching it go around and around and your bag doesn’t appear.  What now?  Most major airlines have a baggage service desk near the baggage claim area.  Go there immediately to report your lost bags and they will contact you when your bags arrive.  If it happens when you’re returning home, it’s probably not a big problem, but what if it happens when you arrive at your destination?  Hopefully, your bags will arrive in a couple of hours, but I did once have to wait two days.  What are your options?  You can cross your fingers and hope that your luggage shows up in a couple of hours or pull out your credit card and go shopping or use what you have in your carry on and enjoy your vacation.  Except for some budget and economy flights, most of the airlines allow you one carry-on and one personal item such as a purse or backpack.  Note: There has been a trend recently where the airlines are asking you to check your roller bags at the gate.  For this reason, I carry as much as possible in my backpack.  Here are the 15 things that I always put in my carry on.

1. Medicine  Always make sure that you have your prescription medicine with you.  If it is a short trip, I’ll use a small pill caddy.  For longer trips, I use small plastic bags that I label am or pm for each day of the trip.  I put all of the little bags in a larger Ziploc style bag and that takes up very little room.  I always pack for an extra day in case of a cancellation or better yet, a bump.  Some recommend taking all of your medicines in their original containers, but I have never had any problems.
2. A change (or two) of clothes  You’ll want to adjust this to fit your itinerary, but I usually just pack an extra pair of socks, underwear, and a T-shirt.  You may want to pack a second shirt.  You can wear a pair of pants a second day if needed.
3. Toiletries  It’s nice to be able to brush your teeth and clean up a bit after a long flight.  I always carry my liquids in my backpack in an outside pocket where I can easily get them if needed.  Remember that liquids are required to be in 3oz or smaller bottles and fit in a quart bag.
4. Contact case and solution  If your luggage is delayed overnight or you develop eye irritation, you’ll be glad that you have this with you.
5. Phone Charger  This is especially true if you use a smartphone.  You use it for directions, taking pictures, finding transportation and of course you’ll need a way to be contacted when the airline calls to let you know that your luggage has finally arrived.  
6. Earbuds  These really aren’t necessary, but they don’t take up much room and I prefer having my own to the ones provided by the airline.
7. Computer  If you take a computer or tablet, you want it with you so that you can keep track of it and make sure that it doesn’t get damaged.
8. Masks  For the most part, mask mandates are a thing of the past, but you may run into one.  If you test positive, current guidelines call for wearing a mask.  
9. Writing materials  I always carry a couple of pens and mechanical pencils and a notebook in my backpack.  I scribble down my thoughts about where we visited, things that we might consider doing differently or just a list of things that I need to remember to do. 
10. A color copy of your passport  This is important if you are traveling internationally.  Ideally, you should laminate it so it holds up to the rigors of travel.
11. A copy of your itinerary  When we travel, Colleen always makes up packets that includes flight, hotel and rental car information along with a daily schedule of activities with contact information for tour guides.  We each carry one in our carry-ons and we give a copy to our sons in case they need to contact us.
12. Toilet paper  You can’t always count on there being some.  This is an emergency supply; just put a partial roll in a Ziplock style bag.  We were recently at a restaurant, while in Europe, and discovered that there was no toilet paper.  I mentioned it to the bartender and she informed me that their supplies wouldn’t be there until the next day.  Colleen pulled a partial roll out of her purse and saved the day for our group.
13. Safety pins  Safety pins are small and can be used for a multitude of travel needs.  Colleen puts a small baggie in her purse or backpack whenever we travel, they take up little to no room!  To be honest I rarely need them but when I do they are worth their weight in gold.  On a trip to Venice the strap to Colleen’s purse suddenly broke.  Without a large safety pin she would have had to hold on to her purse in her hand for the rest of the day.  Knowing her, that might have meant setting it down somewhere and losing it forever!  Safety pins can also be used for broken bra straps, rips in pants or zipper handles. 
14. Water bottle  After you’re through security at the airport, you can fill it up so you’re not paying exorbitant airport prices for water.  We always carry them with us when we are out and about each day.
15. Metal Straw  Again, not necessary, but we don’t like paper straws.

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