Pack Bungee Cords On Your Next Trip For One Unexpected Reason
Like cable ties, the kitchen staple you can use to secure your luggage without a lock, a bungee cord can come in handy in a variety of scenarios, especially on vacation. A flight attendant who goes by Cici in the Sky on TikTok showed how convenient these cheap, springy cords can be while traveling. Specifically, you can stop schlepping around multiple bags with both hands and use this humble tool for more freedom.
@ciciinthesky Replying to @911ant This is a bit rushed but i wanted to get it out to you all! #flightattendant #travelhack #flightattendantlife #flightattendanttips
In a viral video, the travel expert demonstrates how you can loop a bungee cord between your main luggage's handle and your carry-on's handle, instantly creating one piece of luggage. With the bags secured together, you can hold your passport, your e-ticket on your phone, or a cup of Joe in your other hand. If your luggage handle breaks or jams, you can also use a bungee cord as a makeshift strap. And if you're planning on sleeping during your flight, you can use a bungee cord to secure your pillow to your luggage. The last thing you want is to drop it on the floor accidentally.
Should you have enough luggage to warrant a trolley, you can wrap a few bungee cords around your stuff to keep it all in place, crisscrossing them across your bags and securing the hooks to the metal frame. The cords will save you the hassle of stopping every few feet to readjust while on a strict timeline, especially if you're pushing the cart solo.
More uses for a bungee cord on your trip
Once you arrive at your destination, there are still plenty of ways to get the most out of your bungee cords. If you're staying in a hotel room with curtains that don't entirely cover the windows, you can use a cord to string up an extra layer of fabric, ensuring additional privacy or that you feel safe while staying alone at a hotel. The same concept applies for a makeshift curtain over a glass shower. When it's time for a workout, you can use bungee cords as resistance bands, so long as you cover up those hooks with some tape. If you'd rather hit the pool for some cardio, you can use the cords to hang your swimsuits out to dry on the hotel room balcony.
Bungee cords come in handy for safety, as well. If your accommodation has a bunk bed, you can use a few bungee cords to create a bed guard and keep your kiddos secure on the top bunk. If you're staying at an Airbnb with stairs, you can use two bungee cords to create a baby or dog gate by threading the cords through some fabric and stretching it out to each side of the stairwell. Bungee cords are an excellent tool for kid-proofing, in general, like blocking access to shelves or the fridge. With so many uses for this humble cord, you'll soon wonder how you ever went on vacation without one.
Bungee cord safety hacks while traveling
Bungee cords are a reliable tool while sightseeing outside the airport and your accommodation. If you're dining at a cafe and have brought along a backpack instead of a reliable theft-proof bag, you can use a bungee cord to strap your belongings to the chair, ensuring an opportunist won't swipe your stuff. If you've rented a bike to explore the town, a cord will secure your belongings to the rear. If you plan to picnic at a scenic vista, a cord can secure the tablecloth on a windy day. You can even use a bungee cord to fix your camera to a stationary object for timed selfies.
A snipped-down cord will come to the rescue if you're hiking on some trails and your shoelace breaks. If your pets need to be leashed up, thread a cord between your dog's collar and a belt loop. If the weather takes a turn, you can create a temporary shelter by throwing a tarp over some cords and securing them around two trees. If you decide to camp, you can keep critters out of your garbage by using a cord to secure the lid to the trash can. You can find Y-shaped sticks and make slingshots if your kids get bored in nature. After dark, you can turn on your phone's flashlight and use the cord to wrap it around your head, creating an instant headlamp.
It turns out that bungee cords are amazingly versatile for travelers. Before your next trip, add the hardware store to your pre-departure checklist.