'Doesn't break': This is exactly the kind of suitcase an ex-pilot uses

Travelling the world for your job commands you choose the best and most practical suitcase.

So what does a former Qantas captain who has flown planes for more than 35 years travel with?

Ex pilot Jeremy Burfoot tells 9Travel he has a very specific favourite, one that he says straddles the gap between 'soft' and 'hard.'

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Specifically, Jeremy uses a Samsonite spinner case. While it's a hard-sided case, it's not as solid that it might smash, he shares.

"They need to have some sort of give," he tells us. "It sort of looks plasticky, but it's got quite a lot of give in it."

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"The advantage of that is that if it gets treated badly, it gives and it doesn't break," he adds.

"It's strong enough to protect most things but it's also lighter."

When it comes to packing, one thing Jeremy always has in his hand luggage, like many travellers, are noise cancelling headphones.

"It cuts out all the nasty noised like crying babies and even the aircraft noise goes way down," Jeremy tells 9Travel.

He says they're also much better for listening to the in-flight entertainment.

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Meanwhile all those rumours you've heard about the germs on planes are true, he says.

He likes to take antiseptic wipes to use on the the tray table, saying they are not properly cleaned.

"They use a cloth to move the germs around, so the germs get to meet different germs," he says, laughing.

As for where retired pilots holiday, he just got back from six weeks in Europe. Though he also is about to start flying again, this time for Air New Zealand.

The Secret Life of Flying by Captain Jeremy Burfoot, is out now.