« More on Groove | Main | Cell phone noise »
January 24, 2006
Easier travel
There are a couple of things that help me out when I travel that I'll pass along.
1. I have a plastic, durable file folder called Travel Support that holds itineraries, boarding passes, maps, confirmation letters etc. Whatever I may need for travel logistics in hard copy will always be in that folder in my briefcase.
2. I always check-in for my flight online at home, whether I'm checking bags or not. That way I have a printed boarding pass and it's one less step at the airport. When I'm not checking a bag it also means I go right to the gate.
3. For cold weather travel, I have the gear I'll need as soon as I land in that city in an outer pocket of my suitcase so I can get it quickly. For example, right now I'm in Wisconsin (about 40 degrees cooler than LA where I left this morning) so I packed my winter gloves in the outer pocket of my suitcase. Same for umbrellas if I know it's raining where I'm going.
4. One of the biggest things that has helped me streamline my travel is to stick with the same companies as much as possible: United, Hertz and Hilton. Not only do I know the routines, but those points eventually add up and can make experience in the air, car and hotel just that much nicer.
Happy travels.
Posted by Kelly at January 24, 2006 04:55 PM
Comments
Kelly, great tips. I've used a similar Travel Support folder for years and have found it to be the best way to keep track of everything. Your other tips are definitely good too. I also make sure I print out maps from maps.yahoo.com with directions to everywhere I am going. Whether I'm taking a cab, a rental, or walking I always know where I am.
In addition, almost every airport now has a web site with a map of the terminal. With those maps in my folder I never get lost looking for a gate - five minutes before arrival I pull the map, take a quick look at where I'll be arriving and where I'm headed. While everyone else is milling around looking at signs, I'm headed off to my next connection or beating the crowds to the car rental counter.
Posted by: Justin Smith at January 24, 2006 09:18 PM
Great tips. I was yesterday having a look at www.onebag.com, a site full of great tips on travelling light.
Posted by: Pascal Venier at January 26, 2006 06:10 AM
