What a flight attendant packs when he travels is nothing short of a carefully curated collection of essentials that meet his needs on and off the plane. Brendon Savic, a senior flight attendant with WestJet, travels more than most. Whether he’s on duty or taking leisure trips, Savic has honed a strategy for packing that ensures he’s always prepared, comfortable, and stylish, no matter where he lands. Here’s an inside look at what Savic packs when he travels.
The Journey of a Jetsetter: Brendon Savic
Brendon Savic’s first experience with air travel was in 2011, when he journeyed to Las Vegas for a vacation. The trip ignited his passion for exploration, leading him to leave his marketing career at the age of 24 to become a flight attendant. Fast forward to today, Savic is a senior flight attendant with WestJet, and his seniority allows him to take frequent leisure trips around the globe.
For work, Savic typically flies 15 to 20 days a month, often taking multiple short flights in a day. When he’s not on duty, he plans personal trips, such as a week-long trip to Mexico in January, a quick getaway to New York in February and an extensive visit to Australia in March. Despite his love for travel, Savic admits that long flights can be tough, especially for someone who stands at 6-foot-4. His solution? Comfortable clothing.
The Art of Comfortable and Stylish Travel
For Savic, dressing smartly for a flight involves lightweight pants and a breathable button-up shirt. These not only ensure comfort during the journey but also enhance his chances of getting an upgrade. He’s a firm believer in dressing well to impress, a factor he says plays a role when flight attendants are choosing who to upgrade.
He also recommends bringing small gifts such as chocolates, gum, hand sanitizer, or scratch tickets for the crew and introducing yourself to them as you board. These gestures can improve your chances of an upgrade, especially when flying standby.
Mastering the Art of Packing
When it comes to packing, Savic is a minimalist, even for long trips. He usually packs a week-and-a-half’s worth of clothing, rolls his garments to save space, and prefers accommodations with laundry services or easy access to a washing machine. His top picks for travel essentials include the Travelpro Connoisseur 4 carry-on luggage, TUMI Alpha Compact Sling side bag, State & Liberty “The Iris” evening shirt, Under Armour Drive Tapered pants, Beckett Simonon Dean Oxfords, PAVILIA Travel Hanging Toiletry Bag, Ruqayya Oud Custom Travel-Size Roller, and a heavy-duty laundry bag.
Each of these items provides a balance of practicality and style, ensuring that Savic is well-prepared for any eventuality on his travels. Whether he’s jetting off to a work assignment or embarking on a personal adventure, Savic’s carefully selected travel essentials reflect his experience, expertise, and understanding of the unique demands of frequent travel.
So, the next time you’re packing for a trip and wondering what to include, take a leaf out of Savic’s book. After all, who better to guide you than a seasoned flight attendant with countless air miles under his belt?
