The first step to having the best items for your carry on is having the items that are legally required for your bag. If you want to bring any sort of liquid, gel or aerosol, be sure to have it in a three-ounce or smaller container stored in a plastic, zip-top bag. Also be sure to have your tickets, identification information and required travel documents easily accessible. It will also help security personnel if you pack your bag with a layer of clothing, then electronics, then another layer of clothing, then your heavier items. You may use your clothing to break your bag into sections allowing the security guards to more easily see what is in your bag when it goes through x-ray.

Once you have figured out the security restrictions of what you have packed a bit of forward thinking and creativity is required. If you are traveling to a foreign country think about your destination. Acquire appropriate currency if at all possible, have a phrase book if language is an issue and be aware of the type of clothing that is considered appropriate where you are going. Try to avoid accidentally falling into any taboos immediately upon arrival. Think ahead in terms of how your flight is going to work. If you have stopovers you will likely need to go back through security at the middle airports. Therefore you should be certain to keep your items organized in your bag to avoid the hassle of constantly packing and unpacking. Another potential scenario that will be faced when you reach your destination is a shift in climate. Sure, your flight may only be three hours, but in those three hours you can go from a location that is hot, to one where it is snowing. It may be raining when you land even though it was a sunny day when you took off. Be sure to pack a poncho or an umbrella, and some sort of jacket or sweatshirt in your carry-on, just in case.

Other items that you should be sure to put in your carry on bag fit into the category of valuables. The potential for checked luggage to get lost is too high to leave valuables in them. It is best to simply keep those items as close to you as possible. The general rule of thumb when it comes to packing for flights is avoiding checking baggage as much as possible.

Electronic devices can be another tricky item to pack in your carry on. During take off and landing most airlines will ask you to turn these items off. Therefore, you should pack them in convenient, easy access parts of your bag. You don't want to have to dig through layers of clothing and other items to get to your cell phone or iPod.

Your laptop is another item which should be brought along in a carry-on bag. Bringing this item with you can ensure that your flight goes fast and that you are not completely separated from the world when you arrive at your destination. There are specific regulations, though, regarding your computer. One regulation that you will like to know is that you are allowed a separate carry-on for your laptop or briefcase; it does not have to fit in your regular carry-on bag. However, you will need to take your laptop out of its bag in order to have it inspected at the security checkpoint. You should be very careful about your computer's security. The data that you have on the machine may very well be as valuable, if not more valuable, then the item itself. Be sure to back up all of the data before flying with the computer. It is also wise to protect your laptop with a password just in case it ends up in the hands of a stranger. You should also make every effort to keep your laptop in sight at all times. If you get pulled aside for extra screening or held up at the metal detector, be sure to keep an eye on your computer. Bringing your laptop with you on flights can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be very dangerous. Be sure to plan accordingly.

Packing your carry on bag with maximum effectiveness often comes to personal preference. Once you have thoroughly researched your airlines and TSA's (Transportation Security Administration) security restrictions and taken into account what you will need when you arrive at your destination, you can relax and bring what will make you the most comfortable on your flight and at your final destination.