When you are hit with the dreaded "C" word . . . or other travel disruptions

Some extra time passed since the last blog . . . . was out of commission for a week with the flu.  All better and back to the grind.

On another not so positive note, two weeks ago was probably the worst experience my team has ever had at good old EWR (aka Newark).  After 10 hours at the airport, being booked on 2 different flights, actually sitting on one, and 3 trips through TSA . . . . I ended up at Newark at 11:30pm with no flight home.

Due to my years of travel expertise, I luckily was able to get home the next morning and was able to locate a hotel to spend the night in.  However this was definitely a good reminder of some tips and tricks to share for when you are faced with the dreaded “C” word.  A somewhat wordy entry but full of good info.

Great beauty products . . . which ALL fit in your Ziploc bag!

The infamous single Ziploc bag vs. your Favorite salon products

I have had several colleagues over the past few years who just cannot part with their normal hair and beauty products and check a larger bag for work meetings which are 3 or 4 nights duration.  They just can’t survive being limited by the Ziploc bag of products.

Checking a bag nowadays is such a hassle . . . especially in cases of stand-by or cancellations or just in the time it takes for your bag to make it to baggage claim.

You CAN part with your big bottles and huge makeup bag.  I can routinely fit 3 or 4 nights worth of clothes, pajamas, workout clothes, 3 pairs of shoes, all of my makeup and hair necessities, snacks, and my Ziploc bag in my carry-on. 

Here’s several of my favorite products and hints of how you TOO can ditch the checked bag and still maintain your beauty routine.

Forgot your ID?? Have no fear, read here

So I went to ORD this week for my travels to SFO and realized once I got to security that I did not have my wallet . . . which meant no driver’s license, no credit cards, no cash . . . . . nothing.  In this case I had to change my flight to a later time (thank you @United for being so helpful) and go back to get my wallet (as I couldn’t really complete my business trip with no way to pay for anything). 

However, I have had friends or colleagues who have been on trips (business or personal) and have either had their wallet/purse stolen or lost their ID at some point during their travels.

So what happens??  You are away from home, need to obviously get through security to get back home, and have no ID.  I checked into TSA’s guidelines to get the official scoop on what happens if you forget or lose or do not have your ID.  

 On the official TSA website (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids) they include the below –

We understand passengers occasionally arrive at the airport without an ID, due to lost items or inadvertently leaving them at home. Not having an ID, does not necessarily mean a passenger won't be allowed to fly. If passengers are willing to provide additional information, we have other means of substantiating someone's identity, like using publicly available databases.

Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA may not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint or onto an airplane.

Healthy snacks while traveling

Whether you travel frequently for work or just occasionally for travel . . . you need some snacks while on the road.  Although it has gotten better . . . it still takes some effort to find snacks that are not total garbage.  Never fear . . I’ve found some good ones over the years, below are some of my faves. 

One helpful hint a co-worker once told me . . .  always always always have spare snacks in your bag such as a protein bar, almonds, crackers, piece of fruit, etc.  You never know when you will be sitting on the runway for 2 hours or not have enough time to grab dinner in between flights.  When you get your Starbucks coffee, grab a Kind bar or almonds or a banana with it and throw it in your bag.  This is a lifesaver in certain circumstances.

I also pack snacks to keep in my suitcase for those nights you are starving in your hotel room . . . so that you don’t have to hunt down a vending machine or room service.

Another trick is that I always carry Cinnamon Altoids or mints in my bag . . . in case you don’t have food it carries you over at least a little longer . . . and is better than nothing.

My very first official blog . . . Letterman style. Top 10 recommendations for my Travelermamas or Travelerfriends

How do you pick a topic for your “first” official blog??  This one was easy once I thought about it. 

There will be longer blogs (and pictures!) forthcoming on some of the topics included below . . .  in the meantime I have been asked numerous times “How do you do it???”  I also notice the lack of women business travelers who board with me in my “Zone”.  For so many reasons, there are less of us out there than there are men. 

So for the above reasons I have collected my top 10 recommendations for TravelerMamas and Travelerfriends. 

You CAN do it.  Here’s how.

#1 - Use your resources.  Not everyone has the financial resources to pay for extra help.  However, for those you can fit into your budget – do it. 

·         Have someone clean your house.  Mine comes every week, perhaps you could do every other or once per month. 

·         Use Peapod.  I don’t use this too regularly (I’m a loyal Woodmans girl).  However, for those weeks when I have a crazy schedule, extra travel, less time on the weekend, etc. I use it.  I also used Peapod during the first few weeks of my maternity leave . . . . yes it cost more however having someone bring my groceries to me was invaluable. 

·         Use your family/friends/neighbors.  For those weeks when your spouse/partner has meetings, parent teacher conferences, social events, etc. ask for help.  Don’t be shy about this and don’t be afraid to ask.  The saying is “It takes a village” . . .

#2 - A former colleague and manager gave me this advice when I first entered “the industry”.  It is some of the most valuable advice I have receiving for traveling.  Find those brands which work best for you and use them as often as you can.  Period.  Those who know me know that I am a loyal United, Marriott, and National girl.  I also frequently use Southwest and Hilton.  Having “status” makes all the difference in the world, which you probably already know if you are a fellow road-warrior.  Getting home earlier/faster/quicker, having access to the concierge lounge, boarding the plane before everyone else, and racking up points/miles to redeem for personal use are probably the top benefits I have found.  This topic alone deserves its own blog . . . so I’ll say it once and you’ll hear me say it again.  Get your FF# . . . and use it.

#3 - It is very easy to spend “special time” with your kiddos when you are home on the weekends or after long work trips.  Don’t forget to find time to spend alone with your spouse/partner.  That is just as important . . . but is the first to slide when you have a crazy household with kiddos.  Create time to do fun things together . . . even if that means something as simple as ice-cream & Big Bang Theory reruns once the kiddos are asleep.