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Comment by afarrell | Hacker News Reader

Does your local airport sell passports and prescription medication?

I just fundamentally don't understand the statement, "If I forget something it probably was not that important". How does one follow from the other?

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Man, if I was travelling to a different country and needed a passport AND forgot my passport, then I would agree with you. I guess my life is not so hectic that I don't forget the absolute necessities (you can't fly without that or you can die without that).

If you travel often but only sometimes to other countries the travel part becomes routine and the need for a passport can be forgotten.

I could see that being problematic.

My life is not that hectic and I often travel to other countries, yet I have forgotten my passport once and only once. Part of me thinks that once it happens it's very unlikely to happen again.

I still don't use a checklist for traveling, but I do use a to-do list religiously for...actual things to do. After this thread, I may just add a few more lists.

Passport. Credit Card. All you really need.

That's what I tell myself. If I can travel freely and spend money, don't have anything to worry about.

Oh... you don't have kids ;-)

obviously, that depends on the country. ;)

More seriously, when studying organization and lists in particular, I remember reading:

There are two types of list-makers - those who make them and use them, and those that make them and lose them.

If you're perpetually group #2, you're more likely to try it a few times then ditch the whole process.

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