PASSPORT, phone and foreign currency are probably the most important things you think to pack for a holiday.
But one item that costs just 10p is often forgotten about – and it annoys flight crew.
Getty – ContributorFlight crew have explained why you should always have a pen when travelling – or you risk annoying them[/caption]
Depending on which destination you are flying to, you may be required to fill in a landing form or declaration form.
This includes destinations such as Egypt or Turkey, with most non-EU destinations requiring them.
However, most people ask crew for a pen – having forgotten their own.
Fight attendant Nuralia Mazlan, who worked for two major airlines previously explained on Quora: “Bring pens everywhere you go, please.
“[Crew] doesn’t have enough pens to accommodate — nor are we obliged to do so — all passengers wanting to fill up their arrival/custom declaration form.”
Not only does that frustrate them, but she said they rarely get them back either.
She continued: “Nor do I want to spend my hard-earned money buying pens every time one of you forgets to return it back to me.”
Thankfully they won’t break the bank to buy your own and pop it in your hand luggage.
Most supermarkets have packs of 10 biro pens for as little as £1 – working out to just 10p a pen, so you can afford to pack a few.
Another flight attendant agree.
Emily Kuhn, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant explained: “You rarely would add a pen to your packing list, but you’ll need one for paperwork for international destinations, or just to do a crossword puzzle in a magazine.”
Other items she said passengers often forget are headphones, blankets and pillows.
While some airlines offer them, they are rarely good quality – so it will make your long flight seem even longer.
Another cheap item flight attendants swear by are packing cubes, which can be found for as little as £1.25.
And another item passengers always take is a £1.50 pot of Vaseline.
Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Vicky Lewis, who has worked for Richard Branson’s airline for 28 years, said: “Vaseline is a must to stop my lips from drying out. And I’ll even put it under my eyes on super long flights.
“To keep liquids to a minimum you have to be ruthless so a small tub of Vaseline covers lots of bases.
“I also love all the CeraVe products including their moisturisers and cleansers.”
A more unusual item she swears by on a long flight? A hot water bottle.
GettyPassengers should still give the pens back if they borrow them from flight crew[/caption]