Up In the Air...

Living on an island makes every trip a long one. And I travel a lot...partly because my job requires it, partly because I love to explore so even when I'm on vacation I want to be going someplace. Which is ironic because when I first moved here, I was a real white-knuckle flyer. But I quickly came to realize that I'd be rockbound for life if I didn't get over myself pretty quick. I subsequently developed a Zen approach to flying that has stood me in good stead for well over a million airmiles since.

I loved the movie "Up In the Air". I found George Clooney's character quite relatable. And although I have a lovely home and wonderful partner to come home to, I can still understand the dis-connectedness that comes with spending a lot of time on the fly.

And the obsession with affinity program perks. Making my first million miles with Delta was a really big deal for me. I'll never make 10 million, but each million is quite a milestone. And being greeted by name in the club room is kind of cool too.

I appreciate the "almost home" feeling from staying at the same hotel often enough that the concierge and bellmen know you by name.

And I've picked up some helpful habits along the way (a few of which I was gratified to see practiced by Clooney's character):

1. My favorite scene in the movie was when he trimmed Anna Kendrick's luggage from that huge checked pullman down to a 21" Travelpro. Especially when he trashed her pillow-from-home.

Keep luggage to a minimum. Most of my trips are 4-5 days on the road, so it can be a challenge, but where possible, I keep it to my 2 allowable carryons. Keep the largest of the carry-ons at 21", since that will fit on most all but the tiniest commuter equipment. And if you have to have to check a bag, make sure that you don't take more than you can manage by yourself -- you'll probably have to.

I can't say enough about Travelpro. Lightweight and durable; rolls easily. My test for any bag, checked or carryon, is that I have to be able to comfortably lift the empty bag with just my pinkie finger.

2. Keep valuables and essentials in the smaller of your two carryon pieces just in case the larger one doesn't fit on a commuter leg and has to be gate checked.

3. Never ever ever check laptops, cameras and other electronics, jewelry or prescriptions. Never.

4. Keep your wardrobe simple. Try to pick clothes that can stand double duty -- darker slacks/skirts work best.

For biz trips it's easy. I carry mix/match jackets and pants (pantyhose are a PITA anywhere) with a couple of shells and accent scarves.

For vacations, I choose my travel wardrobe a week in advance and hang the clothes up in the guestroom. Throughout the week I pare it down -- always ending up with less than I started with. Since I began this practice, I never bring a piece of clothing home unworn.

5. Pack your jewelry (in your carryon, duh!). Wear a watch and essentials to the airport, but not much more. It's astonishing how LITTLE metal will set off some TSA scanners. In fact, I usually wear a leather-band watch on the plane.

6. Do I still have to tell you to NOT wear a belt and to wear shoes that don't lace or buckle? You WILL have to remove your shoes at security and if you are spending an eternity getting out of those stunning but skintight stilletto boots to put them in the bin, I'll be leading the lynch mob.

7. Get a zipper-free sleeve for your laptop. Easier for security and more protective.

 

8. Compartmentalize. I use the Eagle Creek packing cubes and find that they give me multiple advantages:

• Security can check my stuff without touching my stuff;
• I can put my stuff in hotel drawers without my stuff actually touching the drawers (don't ask...you don't really want to know) and
• It's really easy for me to find everything and make sure that I have everything I need.

9. If you travel more than once a year, please invest in a small luggage scale. Know how much you'e got BEFORE you get to the airport. There is absolutely NOTHING more pathetic (or annoying) than standing in line behind someone who is now frantically repacking their bags to avoid surcharges.

 

10. Toys rock! Toys make long trips bearable, delays tolerable and average jaunts positively delightful. My must-haves (fully charged, of course!):

• Smartphone (for checking flight status, weather, business -- it's indispensable);
• iPod (with tunes and TV shows - movies are difficult on that little screen if you're over 40) -- accessorized with a little awesome speaker for the hotel room and a patchcord to hook it up to my rental car -- just $10 at BestBuy;
• Kindle (a veritable library at my fingertips...my reading tends to be mood driven, and I can't possibly drag enough books along to anticpate what I'll have an appetite for at any given time) and
• My ever present camera. Never know when that amazing once in a lifetime photo might present itself.

 

 

11. About "fully-charged" -- iGo is the best thing since sliced bread. One charging cord and converter with the appropriate little tiny adapter tips will let me charge every single device I carry.

 

Reducing both bulk and weight for a minimal expense -- HOORAY!! -- and the splitter I got lets me charge 2 devices at once.  I also have an attachment that lets me charge in the car.

 

(The case was Deb's -- it's the only piece of Coach that I own.) 

I also keep a spare headset and a couple of adapters in there for use with the airline's on board entertainment.

 

 12. If you fly more than a couple of times a year, it's well worth joining frequent flyer (and sleeper) programs and managing the points. Otherwise it's almost like throwing money away.

  

 13. Go online and get your seat assignments when you book the flight. http://www.seatguru.com/is a great website that shows you the size, location and desirablilty of the seats on every imaginable aircraft.

   

 Then check those seats periodically up until your departure. Sometimes there are equipment changes that turn your 10th row aisle into a 42nd row middle in the blink of an eye. 

14. When you board the plane, remember that there are people behind you and sitting all around. Especially if you are wearing a backpack. In fact, if you have a backpack, take it off and carry it in front of you for boarding. Smacking a fellow passenger in the face with your luggage is not the best way to begin your travels. Karma is slow, but inevitable. 

15. In fact, throughout your travels, remember all the same courtesies and practical matters you would normally think about at home. It's astonishing how many travelers appear to leave their brains (and manners) behind -- especially when they are on vacation.

16. Patience and a sense of humor are the most prized travel accessory. Stuff happens, and the more you take it in stride, the more pleasant travel becomes for you. Remember, especially when all is going wrong, that the smile you give the gate agent may be the first smile they've had all day. That alone makes it worthwhile.

  

I'll be back with photos, and more. What have you learned in your travels?

  

17. Best travel accessory site, with great travel tips? It's http://www.magellans.com/store/catalog?Args= by far.

  

18. Many airlines have stopped providing pillows and blankets. Some for economic reasons, others for health. I haven't used them in years, preferring to bring my own substitute: pashmina scarves. They fold down to nothing (fit in my purse) and can be very warm and comfy. Plus, they are lovely accessories to your outfit and if you find yourself in unexpectedly cold weather at your destination (or points in between) they give you that extra warmth

  

 19. I found out years ago that life was so much easier if all my travel docs were in one place...ID, affinity program cards, boarding passes, a spare $20 just in case, and amenity vouchers.  I got this pretty blue one ages ago at the Levengers' outlet store for a song.  Loved the color -- apparently I was the only one.

  

20. My latest small carryon -- it's a Lug with lots of compartments and zippers. I recently lost a Bluetooth earpiece because I was using an open ended bag. Never again.

  

Remember that I've been accumulating this stuff (by trial and error) for almost 15 years.

 

 Back with more:

  

21. TSA's http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm website has great easy to follow information on security regs (which DO change and are therefore worth monitoring. The key thing to keep in mind is 3-1-1. No more than

• 3   oz bottles, all in a
• 1   qt sized ziploc bag, with
• 1   such bag per person.

   I can get a fair number of 3oz bottles and tubes (toothpaste counts) in that bag -- and don't forget that hotels have shampoo/conditioner, lotion and mouthwash, so you don't really need most of that stuff.

 

22.  More on luggage -- the only thing that keeps me from being as hooked on luggage as I am on acquiring shoes is the sheer size and storage issues.  But I love a good piece of luggage.  For me, the expression "Love ya like my luggage" carries some real weight. 

For my vacations, I eschew my workhorse roll-aboard and use a great little convertible wheeled backpack.  It rolls like a dream, but if I'm in a pinch and need that extra hand, voila! - the straps come out and it's a backpack.