On the plane

A backpack is an excellent choice for your carry-on item. It will free up your hands for your boarding pass and identification, plus make life a lot easier if you are already toting a suitcase or hockey bag to the check-in desk.

Plus, backpacks are easily stowed at your seat on both planes and buses.

In whatever you choose to carry-on for our 12 hour journey to Quebec City, consider having the following items:

• ear phones
• hand santitizer (if liquid, put it in your liquid bag) 
• granola bar/protein bar/fruit bar
• gum
• empty plastic bag
• kleenex
• change of clothes
• medication 
• tylenol for headaches/ear pain etc
• ipad/tablet/phone/camera
• charger cables for iPad/phone/other
• book/magazine/cards 
• wallet

You may also wish to have a small travel pillow and/or blanket as airlines don't provide them anymore. 

You won't be able to take a bottle of water through security, but you can buy one, or refill a container once you are through security to the boarding area.

Westjet will offer a choice of soft drinks/juice/coffee and a choice of a salty (tiny flax crackers - kinda good if you are over 40) or sweet (chocolate wafer/cookie) about an hour into the flight at no charge.  They will also have a couple choices of snacks (like Pringles or beef jerky) and a couple sandwiches for sale/purchase. Note that the plane is a cash-less environment, meaning you must pay with either a visa or mastercard.

As a word of travel-safety, don't place your wallet in the outside pocket of your backpack as it makes it vulnerable to theft. And don't stow all your identification, cards and cash in one place.  

Wear comfortable clothes that don't have big zippers, belts or buckles as they will slow you down in security. Do wear your most bulky shoes/boots on the plane, as it will save you valuable packing space in your suitcase. 

As far as plane etiquette goes, consider it a church. (If you are an uneasy flier, you may end up praying anyways!)  There is NO SUCH THING AS 'JUST KIDDING' regarding terrorism, bomb jokes and airline safety. So, don't even think about whispering a joke that could get your team in trouble. Keep your language clean, your hands to yourself, use your best manners, and this will be a breeze.... and that goes for the players too. 

If you'd like to see another sample packing list there are several on-line, including this one. 

Here is the definitive list of rules and regulations regarding travel safety, from the government website itself.