Infinity scarves . . . why they are a road warriorette must plus some of my faves!

I am all about efficiency.  Which is why I have multiple travel apps on my phone, leave my suitcase packed in between trips (minus clothing), and love TSA Pre✓™ so much (per my previous blog).  You may have noticed cooler temps have arrived over much of the country.  I don’t have time to always worry about what coat to pack or to make sure I have my winter scarf plus dressy scarf to wear with my work outfits.  I need multifunctional.  Which is why I LOVE all of the new infinity scarves that have appeared in stores this fall.  They work with my winter coat, they work with my dress outfits, and most importantly they keep me warm during the day and on a plane.  AND I don’t have to figure out how best to loop or wrap it.  I need to put on or pack ONE.  Efficient!  

 I love them so much . . . below are some of my faves I wanted to share.  You may or may not see me wearing some of these . . .

Ann Taylor Loft Stripe Fringed Infinity Scarf

 

The scoop on TSA Pre✓™

TSA Pre✓™  . . . the skinny and why I love it so much

You have probably seen articles or news stories about the new TSA Pre✓™  . . . or have heard me rave about it during the past few months.  What the heck is it?  Who has it?  Why do I love it so much?  Read on.

(I obtained most of this information directly from the TSA website, to read further visit www.tsa.gov)

WHAT??

The Pre✓™ is an expedited TSA airport screening process which multiple airlines and airports are now participating in.  Those who are enrolled in the program have a separate security line at the airport checkpoints and basically after doing your ID/boarding pass check you then put your things on the conveyor belt and walk through the detector.  The best part is, you don’t have to take your shoes off, laptop out, belt off, jacket off, or take your bag of 3oz liquids out of your bag.  LOVE it!!  For those of us who fly weekly, it is SO efficient! 

Top 10 ways business travelers stick out of the crowd

WOW can you tell October is my busiest month of travel or what??  Did not mean to let this much time go by in between posts . . . . I have been so nonstop with work, any spare time I had went to family then sleep.  Thank gosh October is over!  You can always follow me in between on Twitter (@travelermama) or on Facebook (travelermama).  Anyways, back at it now and working on an informative blog coming shortly about going through TSA screening and detectors while pregnant.  But in the meantime here’s a fun Top 10 I thought of while traveling today. 

I always notice my fellow business travelers who board with me in my “zone” . . . however today I really looked around and noticed how easy it is to pick those of us out who are there every week.  So on a light hearted note, here’s the Top 10 ways business travelers stick out of the crowd -

#10 – No matter what the season or city, we are always dressed weather neutral.  No shorts, flip-flops, or maxi skirts.  We always have some sort of coat or jacket or sweater.   Which is never a big puffy winter coat.

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.