NorthSideSox72 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 This is primarily targetted at those who do, or have, travelled a lot. What tools or items do you find indispensible? What do you always carry with you that makes travel easier? Here's a starter list, from my experiences... --Shoes easy to get in and out of (clogs, zip tie shoes) --Sound cancelling headphones --DVD's for the laptop --Book(s) --Wifi account of some kind for public areas (cell company or Boingo or the like) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 What you listed. I also had a neat program for my Palm Pilot that automatically adjusted time zones, popped up the info on my reservations, etc. after I landed, etc. A decent overnight bag that could be carried on. Hotel books for the two or three chains I stayed at the most.I had a couple magazine subscriptions I would only read on planes. Texas Monthly, Wired, and Esquire. Kept me looking forward to some flights. I think better for me was the habits and routines I got into. I kept two sets of stuff like toiletries so I didn't have to worry about forgetting anything. An extra pair of glasses that were always with me. The most travel I did was for a company out of Mexico, so I was flying out of the same airport, either to Dallas or Houston to connect. I would always take the same flight out of McAllen, no matter what time my connecting was. They knew me which seemed to make it go quicker. I tried as much as possible to stay at the same hotel every time I was in a certain city. Actually my first choice was La Quinta, they worked best for a couple of my most frequent trips. My tickets and boarding passes were always in the same place, etc. God what an anal traveler I was. But I was on a plane almost every Tuesday morning for two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Oh that reminds me of another one - my watch that changes time zones for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 The moment you know you are a true road warrior is waking up in a hotel room and needing to check the phone book to learn what city you are in. Business travel is fun and it sucks at the same time. We live in Generica. Every airport and every hotel looks the same. Same food, same rental cars, same experiences. And there really isn't a chance to discover anything different. You are only there for a brief time, or at least that was the experience I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 29, 2008 -> 03:41 PM) The moment you know you are a true road warrior is waking up in a hotel room and needing to check the phone book to learn what city you are in. Business travel is fun and it sucks at the same time. We live in Generica. Every airport and every hotel looks the same. Same food, same rental cars, same experiences. And there really isn't a chance to discover anything different. You are only there for a brief time, or at least that was the experience I had. Yeah, those are always weird moments - not knowing where you are, laying in the dark. Funny later, but a bit freaky at the time, when you are half asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 29, 2008 -> 04:43 PM) Yeah, those are always weird moments - not knowing where you are, laying in the dark. Funny later, but a bit freaky at the time, when you are half asleep. I remember driving through Atlanta and getting really confused and annoyed because the building I use to see on my right as I exited to get to the airport wasn't there. That's when I remembered I was in Myrtle Beach. Yeah, I've always been a moron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 My travel is for pleasure so I always bring my soft cooler that fits in the side pocket of my luggage and holds about 12 bottles of beer in my hotel room. I also always bring my running gear - there's no better way to get a feel for a new place (as long as you can find your way back to the hotel). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Ah, so a seasoned traveler basically can wake up, get dressed, pack and board a plane without actually ever waking up. A few things I MUST have to travel: Carry on suitcase that holds a suit or two. My sammy roller folds up nice clothes so ironing in the room is minimal IPOD video Laptop DVDs Own set of toiletries, i never even take them out of the bag Quick drying work out clothes (so you dont have to deal with sweaty clothes) Reversible belt, black/brown this is a must because you cut down on multiple belts GPS phone Frequent traveler numbers at EVERY hotel chain Avis preferred or Hertz gold membership-just makes life easier Sox hat-in case I dont have time to shower between flights Fleece with pit zips-for cold/bitter weather changes to nice climates etc etc Basically you start out rough,but really streamline your travel stuff as you fly more. I literally can get through airport security in less than a min if there is no line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 10:55 AM) I literally can get through airport security in less than a min if there is no line. As a business traveler is there anything more annoying than a novice in front of you in the security line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 11:00 AM) As a business traveler is there anything more annoying than a novice in front of you in the security line? Speaking of which, weren't there supposed to be business traveler only lines at certain airports? whatever happened to that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 11:00 AM) As a business traveler is there anything more annoying than a novice in front of you in the security line? Ugh, its the most annoying thing in the world. Its all different types too, the lady who didnt take off her 10lbs of silver jewelry, the guys who cant figure out that they need to take off their giant belt buckle. Its especially annoying for people that are on their 3rd or 4th trip in a week and all you want to do is get to the damn red carpet club to go to the bathroom because you've been holding it since the morning coffee. I seriously just got annoyed just thinking about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 11:04 AM) Ugh, its the most annoying thing in the world. Its all different types too, the lady who didnt take off her 10lbs of silver jewelry, the guys who cant figure out that they need to take off their giant belt buckle. Its especially annoying for people that are on their 3rd or 4th trip in a week and all you want to do is get to the damn red carpet club to go to the bathroom because you've been holding it since the morning coffee. I seriously just got annoyed just thinking about it. For real. And they never start preparing while standing in line. They wait until they get all the way to the baskets before they do anything whatsoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Handheld GPS Unit Camelbak water pack (Wife had to go & break my last one...argh) Sunscreen Toilet Paper Tupperware for holding lunch Packet of Swedish Fish Claritin IPod Extra layer of clothes Can you tell I do a different style of traveling from many of ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 A sleeping pill to keep from having a panic attack at 30,000 feet. Oh how I hate to fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (shipps @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 11:13 AM) A sleeping pill to keep from having a panic attack at 30,000 feet. Oh how I hate to fly. Me too, hate the hell out of it. Taking off and landing makes me freak out, and people say it gets easier, bulls***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Rock mentioned something, I would always group my suits so that I could bring either a pair of black shoes or cordovan. If the meetings would be informal, I'd just bring one sport coat with a couple different color shirts and slacks. Anything you can eliminate from the bag is a help. Double bag all the toiletries. Make certain you have a charge on all your electronics. If you can't turn on your phone, you have a pain in the ass situation. I'm not certain what they would have done if someone did not my same phone and loaned me their battery to get past the check point. Take time to really learn professional packing hints. Things like suit coats inside out reduce wrinkles. Plastic between slacks, etc. roll ties into your shoes. And Rock, flying got worse for me, not better. I lost the ability to fall asleep on flights. I had a terrible sensation of actually falling. I'd wake up startled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 11:49 AM) And Rock, flying got worse for me, not better. I lost the ability to fall asleep on flights. I had a terrible sensation of actually falling. I'd wake up startled. I have the same thing. I can no longer sleep unless I've been drinking, or havent slept in a few days. I ended up just reading alot or watching my IPOD. I used to run through about 7-10 books a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:00 PM) I have the same thing. I can no longer sleep unless I've been drinking, or havent slept in a few days. I ended up just reading alot or watching my IPOD. I used to run through about 7-10 books a month. I needed either music or complete silence because I would start analyzing every sound to determine if it meant we were going down. Prior to that, I had never had a particularly bad flight, so I had no idea where this came from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:02 PM) I needed either music or complete silence because I would start analyzing every sound to determine if it meant we were going down. Prior to that, I had never had a particularly bad flight, so I had no idea where this came from. My worst moment is when you take off and the plane kind of "stalls" on its way up into the clouds, my heart races uncontrollably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (Texsox @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:02 PM) I needed either music or complete silence because I would start analyzing every sound to determine if it meant we were going down. Prior to that, I had never had a particularly bad flight, so I had no idea where this came from. Yes I do the same thing.It is absolutely the most vulnerable that I ever feel,I would rather drive on a rainy New Years Eve down the Dan Ryan expressway than fly.And my phobia has got worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 10:10 AM) Handheld GPS Unit Camelbak water pack (Wife had to go & break my last one...argh) Sunscreen Toilet Paper Tupperware for holding lunch Packet of Swedish Fish Claritin IPod Extra layer of clothes Can you tell I do a different style of traveling from many of ya? Heh. The list of camping/outdoor essentials should be a different thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (shipps @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:16 PM) Yes I do the same thing.It is absolutely the most vulnerable that I ever feel,I would rather drive on a rainy New Years Eve down the Dan Ryan expressway than fly.And my phobia has got worse. Humans were not designed to be flying through the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:09 PM) My worst moment is when you take off and the plane kind of "stalls" on its way up into the clouds, my heart races uncontrollably. Midway, with the noise abatement regulations, is the worst for that. I understand intellectually we are slowing from 400 mph to 300 mph (or whatever the numbers are) but damn that sucks. I would crap my pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:20 PM) Heh. The list of camping/outdoor essentials should be a different thread. And it would include, what Balta, you, and I? btw, my all time favorite bit of eating gear http://www.orikaso.com/ I have the complete set of plate, bowl, and mug. Super light weight, easy to clean, durable. Perfect bit of gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 I'm really not afraid to fly, but, there was this one time an idiot on a flight from Champaign to Chicago said to me, "You know, most airline crashes happen within the first 10 minutes of the flight." We were taxiing to the runway at the time. What a jackass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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