I had a bit of a revelation this weekend. I was cleaning out the storage area in my apartment and noticed something a bit disturbing…I discovered I have an addiction to airline amenities kits. After going through a bunch of empty suitcases and carry on bags, I realize I had saved close to 10 kits from various airlines.  For no good reason.

Since you can barely get a cocktail napkin on a domestic flights these days, let alone a small bag with toothpaste and mouthwash, its clear that most of these originated from international flights.  I am guessing it must have something to do with the recycled air on the planes. After 8 hours on a flight stuck in a small space and devoid of fresh air, those kits start to seem like the holy grail.  Even though it’s doubtful that the contents of the bag cost more than $1.99 (and that’s including the cost of the bag) I feel like I need to stash away whatever products remain inside.  

I have never voluntarily placed an eye mask over my head (either on the ground or at 35,000 feet), yet I feel like it’s a vital part of a bountiful treasure when a flight attendant tosses me the bag just after takeoff. I reason that I’ll use the small tubes of toothpaste and bottles of mouthwash on my next trip, so I can avoid the inevitable last minute dash to the drug store to pick up the trial sizes just as I’m leaving for the airport.  

But the sad fact is that each kit I found in my storage area had an unused toothpaste and mouthwash which means that I still made that last minute dash, forgetting I had a waiting supply at hand. Same thing goes for the earplugs, tiny packet of tissues, vials of lotion and the one-use socks.   For some reason I feel I can get a lot of use out of these items on future trips and I allocate precious space in my carry on bag to tote them with me until I return home. The kit I picked up on an Etihad flight last year ended up visiting 9 countries with me until it made its way into my storage space in Los Angeles. I guess it never crossed my mind that I should use those items during the flight when I received them, instead of squirreling them away for later. 

It took quite a whole lot of will power, but as part of my cleaning this weekend, I gathered up all of the kits and *gasp!* put them into the garbage.  OK – well I did save all of the tiny ear plugs because as a light sleeper, I do use those and honestly they hardly take up any space.  I also saved the kit I got from First Class on British Airways…the leather (OK, probably pleather) case was very sturdy and the eye mask was quite plush. I swear I’ll use those items again.  Probably…if I remember that I have them.

Anyone else out there hoard the amenity kits from airlines? Which airlines have the best kits in coach and first class? I may need to plan a trip around them!