Comments on: 5 think-ahead strategies that make travel easier

By: Think Ahead and Relax - Travel Tips, Air Travel | Top Trips

Think Ahead and Relax - Travel Tips, Air Travel | Top Trips — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:18:17 +0000

[...] when taking to the skies but sometimes, it takes imagination in addition to organization. Read More… Do you like this? Not Yet Rated Related Tags: air travel, travel [...]

By: Andy Hayes

Andy Hayes — Sun, 24 May 2009 10:15:41 +0000

As Mike mentions, I write up notes on everything I might need such as reservation numbers, addresses and phone numbers, etc and get them into a digital format. So there is no worry about getting lost en route!

Don’t forget your identification/passport! :)

By: Dianne

Dianne — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:53:46 +0000

After having had my luggage lost one too many times, I now add a change of clothes and a light t-shirt to sleep/relax in until my bags arrive. I slip it all into one of those air-tight, zip-loc sweater bags, roll the air out and, voila! It becomes a very flat emergency pack. It has made me very happy a few times!

By: Karen Fawcett

Karen Fawcett — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:17:50 +0000

I use http://www.tripit.com/ for my itinerary planning. It can be downloaded to my calendar and shared with friends and colleagues who need to know where I am.

If you are a member of Linked-in, you can add it to your profile. I have chosen not to do so because there are times when “I want to be alone!”

By: Mike Grapkowski

Mike Grapkowski — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:41:30 +0000

I’ve actually taken to writing up *.txt files and uploading them to the notes section of my IPod… it really saves paper on trips. On a recent trip to San Fran and LA, I uploaded thumbnail size maps from Google Maps schedules from the BART website, and LA Metro schedules that I typed up in txt files. I never had to carry paper maps/timetables/directions, and still had a handy way of finding my way around.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:28:47 +0000

Cargo pants! All those little pockets are wonderful for holding passport, boarding passes, ID, everything that you need to have handy when you are flying. Sure, they aren’t the most fashionable thing out there, but those pockets are life savers.

By: Dean

Dean — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:36:53 +0000

When travelling as frequently as I do, whether for pleasure or business, I put the travel “events” in my electronic calendar (many reservation websites let you do with just a click). I ensure I have the record or reservation number included in the name of the event. This way whether it’s a flight, a car rental, a hotel or restaurant, I have the important numbers right on my PDA. This saves carrying a bunch of paper or thumbing through it to find that car rental reservation that the agent can’t find. It also ensures I have all the bases covered. So if while perusing tomorrow’s calendar, I see my flight arrival in Naples, FL but my hotel reservation is not showing up, or worse yet shows Naples, TX, I know I have some work to do!

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:18:23 +0000

As others do, I carry an empty water bottle (made by Nalgene for durability) through security, then fill it when I am in the “sterile area”. This allows me to have about 16 or 32 oz of water for the flight. The 32 oz bottle makes a good lumbar support for over-ocean flights.

If you go this route, buy a wide-mouth bottle and get an adaptor (made by Guyout Designs or Nalgene) so you can easily fill the bottle, then drink with the adaptor in place so you do not get splashed.

Being a guy, I use my shirt’s pocket(s) to carry my ID and boarding pass.

Also, bring ear plugs or earphones that block out sounds.

Bring a bit of lotion that is lavender scented; put a bit just below your nostrils to help eliminate having to smell something bad.

If you can, get the GPS service on your phone activated (I have a BlackBerry with the imbeded GPS plus Google’s maps). This way, you do not have to carry another electronic device (a GPS unit). And when you get to your hotel and the place where you are going to do business, save them as a favorite on your GPS–that way, you can explore the area for good food but still find your hotel.