I’m fresh off a 10-city book tour that sent me flying (courtesy of Bridgeline) across 27,143 miles since January. (Aren’t you glad I resisted the urge to toss in “And boy are my arms tired!”? You’re welcome.)
So much about traveling is fun. In Atlanta, I finally connected in person with Elizabeth Fairleigh, who somehow managed to pull it together to attend a breakfast talk even though a freak storm had knocked out electricity at her house. In Dallas, I met longtime MarketingProfs fan Jeff Corkran, and in San Francisco, I saw Kiki Mills, met Aprimo’s Paige O’Neill, and the Zoomerang gang (hi, Jason!), and—in the Marriott Marquis San Francisco lobby—bumped into Lee Odden. Seeing Lee was an unexpected surprise: It felt like finding a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. Orange Country was a two-fer: I had dinner with my childhood homey Ron Ploof ; then, the next day, I saw a passel of MarketingProfs colleagues all in one place at the same time—a rare occurrence for our virtual company. Actually, a three-fer: I had a “preunion” with Eric Bratt.
I also had a ton of fun palling around with Becki Dilworth and Alexa Stabile, who morphed over those 10 weeks from mere friends to my new work sister-wives.
But, at the same time, traveling is also a bitch. Setting aside for a minute that I hate to fly (and I do hate flying, with a special kind of passion you might otherwise reserve for getting a root canal), it’s also stressful to be away from your family, out of your routine, sleeping in a strange bed and then forgetting—when you wake up—exactly what city you’re in.
Here are a few tricks I learned in the past few months about how to make travel a little less stressful:
1. Leave a little extra room in the suitcase. Pack sparingly—resist the urge to over-pack. For me, this means I consciously have to curb my tendency to bring too many pairs of shoes. I get by with two: one dress and one casual.
Not over-packing cuts down on the amount of stuff you’re lugging, of course. But it also affords some room to bring back that special something you saw in Philly, to accommodate the outfit you had to unexpectedly buy in Atlanta when jeans at dinner suddenly didn’t cut it, or to accept the bottle of Puerto Rican rum that someone—in this case, Raúl J. Colón—schlepped all the way from Santa Isabel. (Thanks, Raúl!)
2. Take on-location photos. I’m not talking about site-seeing photos here. I’m talking about practical photos that help orient you. Between the book tour and other events and travel, I stayed in 26 different hotels in the past few months. After about the fifth or sixth, I started forgetting my room number. One time, in fact, I tried my room key on Room 1035 with repeated aggression (Stupid! Magnetic! Strip!) only to realize that Room 1035 was in New York, and here I was in Chicago. Duh.
It was then that I started snapping a photo of my room number with my phone and keeping it handy so I could refer to it and navigate my way back to my room without pounding on a stranger’s door.
It’s also a good strategy for remembering where you parked, including in the airport parking garage.
3. Check luggage. I’m not really sure why checking luggage is anathema to so many people. What’s the big deal of what generally amounts to an extra 10 minutes hanging around baggage claim?
For me, it’s a whole lot less stressful to check luggage than it is to (a) worry about banned liquid contraband in the carry-on (because my favorite products never come in trial-size), and (b) compete for overhead bin space with every other traveler on the plane (and fret about boarding early enough to secure said space).
Plus, one time I tried to make a connection in O’Hare that was in a different terminal. The sprint was fruitless—I didn’t make it—and to this day, I blame the fact that I was lugging a 17-inch laptop strapped to my back and dragging a roller-bag that felt within minutes like I was the ball carrier on some PBA tour.
So go ahead and hate, but from now on … I check. I know plenty of people have had horrific experiences with lost or damaged luggage; feel free to dissuade me of this practice in the comments. (All that said, I suggest you carry your house and car keys in a carry-on. Just in case.)
4. Never fly through O’Hare. That airport is insane; it should be renamed Ringling Brothers and Barnum O’Hare. See above.
5. Spring for TripIt. TripIt is an extremely useful trip planner that keeps all of your travel plans in one spot. The mobile app seriously rocks. It’s like having a super-organized travel elf take care of all those annoying little details and reminding you to check in for a impending flight, notifying you when flights are delayed, when gates change (and to where!) and so on. In other words, it thinks about that stuff—so I don’t have to. It’s a no-brainer to upgrade to TripIt Pro. It’s $49 a year, but I’d exchange my right arm for it. (Hat tip to C.C. Chapman for this one.)
6. Get a travel wallet. My friend Beccy gave me a special billfold before we flew to London this past February. It’s meant to hold a passport, but even when I fly domestically, I now use it as a “travel wallet” to keep myself organized, without carrying all the other stuff in my usual wallet. It’s big enough to hold boarding passes, luggage slips, receipts, and the rest; it’s also where I store airline and hotel loyalty cards so I have them handy. The receipt thing is key, at least for me. It saves me a lot of aggravation after the trip because I don’t have to cull receipts from various pockets, bags, and other nooks and crannies that I otherwise tend to haphazardly tuck receipts in.
7. Don’t unpack. After forever “losing” stuff in the hotel room, I devised this rule: Resist the urge to make your hotel room feel like “home” by spreading your stuff and other comfort objects around. It’s not home—you both know that.
Hang the stuff that wrinkles in the closet, but otherwise keep everything contained as much as possible in an open suitcase. It makes for a quick exit, too, when the taxi is waiting and Alexa is tapping her foot because she’s the one who has to drop off the rental car, missy.
8. Use the Skype app for iPhone. This is my most important iPhone travel app, more so than my beloved Starbucks and TripIt apps. I like this one so I can say goodnight to my kids in person. Kinda.
Anyway, it’s free, and it’s got video. And what I save on long-distance calls I can put toward their therapy down the line when they tap into their pain at having had an absentee mother!
BONUS TIP: Create some content on the road …
So—your turn. What are your insider tips for coping with business travel?
Great post, Ann, and fun preso! The tip about checking luggage really depends on … whether you have to pay extra to check that bag. If I fly American, I have “status” and don’t have to pay. But with Delta, for me, it’s $25 each way per bag. Those extra fees can really add up!
To this list I’d add … Charge all your gadgets the night before! I forgot to do that on a recent trip and subsequently couldn’t get any work done on my MacBook that day. D’oh!
YES! Great point. Charging gadgets (and your back-up batteries!) is totally key.
Just a tip, and I know they have had bad press lately but fly Southwest! From the Mid-West they have direct flights Delta and American do not have and bags fly free. also, why connect when you do not have too? Cut the extra 3 hours off a flight and go direct when you can. If you book on the website you can get GREAT prices on flights so opt-in for the early bird check in ($10 each way) and board in the first group. You can but the first on, pick your seats (go for the exit row – very roomy) and their service is fantastic. Fly 8 trips and get the 9th free as well.
I should say it was thanks to Bill Flitter that I found out you were at the Marriott in SF. It was a very pleasant surprise!
Love the tips – tripit has been essential for me. One thing I’ve done is to downsize my laptop to something super light. I use a 13″ MacBook Air with upgraded memory and SSD – it is indeed like air, it’s so light. Also, Evernote is absolutely priceless for managing my itineraries, for liveblogging, capturing notes and newsclips that I can use to create content. The synch between iPhone and laptop turns latent times into productive times.
Good call on the smaller laptop. After lugging my 17-inch MacBook Pro all over, that 13-inch model is looking pretty sweet. (And by “lugging” I mean “now I need a chiropractor.”)
Great Post – Love the tips! I travel quite a bit – not as much as you – but probably 2x a quarter. This slideshow changed my life:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/06/business/businessspecial/20100506-pack-ss.html
I don’t necessarily schlep the carry-on around w/ me, I usually check it. But, after a 7-day Vegas trip with a GIGANTIC suitcase I decided I was NOT going to do that again. I’m much happier and if I decide to buy some stuff I have an arm available to carry it.
I’d add another tip – pack a carry-on-size closeable fold flat bag (I use a duffel bag) in your suitcase in case the souvenirs, presents, extra outfits or conference schwag over-loads your suitcase – you have an extra bag just in case that you can either check or carry on with you
That’s a great slideshow from the NYT! Thanks for that, Carrie. (Especially handy for the spacially challenged — like me. I always misjudge how much space my stuff will actually need….)
And thanks for that tip, too.
Awesome list, Ann! I have been doing enough travel for work to have a few to add to the beauties you have offered (some are the same – like checking baggage if you can, the travel wallet, and never traveling through O’Hare). I do more overnight or 2 night trips so for me, these work well too:
- Pack an extension cord. Doesn’t take up much space but beats searching behind the bed for a plug to charge my phone/alarm clock or having to cram an ironing board between the desk and the wall to iron. Also allows me to sit on my bed and work, laptop plugged in.
- I have a bag for all my toiletries in travel size. If one runs out, I just refill. I no longer have to go through my morning or night time ritual in my head to remember everything I need — it is all already there.
- I bought one of those small circular clocks, about the size of a half-dollar, and some of that putty stuff that allows you
to stick things on walls and remove it easily. I keep it in my toiletry bag and stick the clock on the mirror in the bathroom. Helps me stay on time in the morning.
Hope these help….!!
Great ideas.. thanks, Ratika! I also pack an extension chord, which comes in handy when I need to have my iPhone on the bedside table and (inexplicably!) there’s no available plug near the bed. Be forewarned, though — I have left them behind in hotel rooms when I forgot to grab them at check-out!
Love the photo tip – I always rip the room number out of the little envelope they give you the keys in and put it in my wallet for that problem – but a photo would be easier.
Two tips I’d add:
9. Make sure you’re in the frequent flier programs and work ‘em. You don’t have to turn into George Clooney in *Up in the Air* but it really can improve the experience to get “status” and it’s a shame to miss out on an upgrade because you forget to give your number when making the reservation.
10. Be nice to the staff! It’s not the gate attendant’s fault the flight is late, or your seat got reassigned because they changed equipment. Berating them never works, but being polite and helpful can sometimes get you an upgrade. Worst case scenario it just makes the whole interaction more pleasant for both of you.
On baggage, at Logan, I get out of the airport 15-20 minutes faster without checking a bag. For me, that’s usually worth it if I’ve packed lightly enough . . . but I do lots of short trips.
True on Logan, John…. it’s a trade-off, but one I generally will make. (Although if I’m landing late at night — I HATE to wait around….) p.s. Though… I think guys have an easier time with packing lighter; it’s the shoe thing. : )
Very true on #9 and #10. Especially #10 — although isn’t it true that “be nice” is just a good philosophy to live by? I find it improves interactions and everything else in so many ways…!
Loved this list, Ann. I agree about checked bags. The stress and hassle of trying to get a bag in the overhead is not worth it. At least for me. Some of my colleagues will strongly disagree, but I like to de-stress travel as much as possible. This is one thing that is in my control. See you in baggage claim…..
Exactly…. of course, I’m waiting for the day when my bag gets mangled or disappeared completely…. then I’ll possibly change my tune!
Great tips here for my colleagues at the National Speakers Association, Ann! I’ll pass it on. Hope you sell a ton of books.
We did. Happy.
Hey Ann,
Glad you didn’t list Denver, I would have been sad. But loved working with Becki on the CO AMA Content Marketing Conference…she was WONDERFUL.
Traveling a ton myself these days,
I take photos of my parking spot, and the door to the parking lot I used.
I force myself to look up and around. When I devisolate on my phone, I miss serendipitous connections and ideas.
I keep a journal handy. Somehow airport connections inspire the poet in my soul. It’s weird.
I bought a bigger suitcase! Keep the clothes on my own hangars…talk about super fast load in and out.
I pack a small flashlight in my purse…helps me find things on a dark airplane AND I can check the hotel room for nasty critters.
A lightweight set of speakers was a nice addition to listen to my tunes & pandora.
Did I mention I got the new ipad? Heaven!
Best,
Nicole Klein
Agreed on so much of your comment here… although the hanger thing? BRILLIANT.
We kicked off the tour — so to speak — in Denver last October. Before we actually connected. Sad, right? p.s. LOVE Becki!
As a frequent traveler, I am in favor of not checking luggage. There are several advantages that haven’t been mentioned. First, by virtue of having to use a small suitcase, you pack lighter. You think about exactly what you need rather than putting your whole wardrobe in a giant suitcase just in case you might need it. Also, when visiting foreign countries, a small suitcase is much easier to pull through subways, onto buses, and into the trunks of small cars. Thirdly, by having carry on luggage, it is easy to standby on earlier flights to get home a couple hours earlier after a long trip.
You are absolutely right! If you can edit your wardrobe and stand the stress, it’s far better to carry-on. Unfortunately, I’m terrible at both.
I hear you on the international travel thing though… when we were in London, pulling that suitcase onto the Tube and throughout the streets? TOTALLY SUCKED.
I love the tip about not unpacking. I am not a fan of making myself at home in a strange room I only plan on being in for a short time. And O’hare, don’t get me started, the only good thing about that airport is that it has a bar.
Loved the content revolution tour, thanks so much for stopping in San Francisco, the entire Zoomerang team really enjoyed the presentation. Thanks for the shout-out as well!
All the best!
Jason
So great to meet you guys!! Thanks for swinging by Jason…
Funny about unpacking…. I used to travel with a guy who routinely unpacked his suitcase into the hotel dresser. And I always thought that was weird…. now, I barely unpack my toothpaste.
When you mentioned O’Hare, I couldn’t stop laughing! I travel to Chicago ranging from 2x/month to every 6 weeks, and the route through the skies goes through O’Hare. Don’t get me started on flight delays during the winter travel season!
Here are some additional travel tips to add to the mix (building from John and Nicole’s list):
* If you can afford room for a spare computer power cord in your suitcase, buy one and keep it in your suitcase (because you will forget the regular one at an inopportune time and you’ll be in a location where purchasing one isn’t convenient). I’ve seen that movie before and it’s no fun.
* Get a credit card that allows you to build membership points with a major hotel chain (i.e., Starwood, Marriott, etc.). I’m a Marriott Rewards Member and being able to pay for family vacation accomodations with your accumulated points is a nice feeling. Plus, you’ll get upgraded to better rooms and perks as your membership status rises.
* Learn the security checkpoints in your frequented airports where you might have to walk just a little bit further than everyone else (the one I use at O’Hare is still a well-kept secret). You may have to walk further to get to your gate, but you make up the time by going through a much shorter security line at these specific checkpoints. And, usually the folks who know of these checkpoints are frequent business travelers (aka professional travelers). They know the checkpoint drill by rote and that means faster throughput.
Ooooh….. that security tip intrigues me. Totally emailing you for the inside scoop!
Great tips… and an additional benefit of the Skype app is that in the new multi-app running iPhone OS, you can leave it running and your fam can call you… which isn’t a big deal in the states but if you’re overseas, and in a wifi zone, seriously cuts down on the cell phone bill.
And the kids think it’s pretty darn cool.
Great tip Tom.. thank you!
Great idea on snapping a photo of the room number when I was a road warrior and constantly changed rooms I ended forgetting my room number very often.
On packing I use Space saver bags where I can take the air out. It also helps me keep everything organized in my bag. I also take the dirty clothing and stick it in a separate space bag so the rest of my items don’t end up smelling like the clothing I wore before.
On the receipts side I carry a portable scanner and I usually scan my receipts as often as I can so they don’t accumulate and if I lose them I have a digital copy. As much as you don’t like O’hare I agree my second airport I try to stay away from is Atlanta I have lost flights while sitting on the tarmac.
Thanks for mentioning me in the post I really appreciated how you carried those books around SXSW to help me out. I will look into the Trip it app and will probably add the Skype app to my phone and Ipad.
Portable scanner is pretty hard-core…. isn’t that just another thing to lug around, though? Gotta look into that…
It was GREAT meeting you in Austin! And really — the pleasure was all mine.
Ann, thanks for blending visuals and wisdom in this post. I could feel the experience [kind of
].
The comments are amazing, too! I’ve used Google video chat on my laptop to show my daughter around my hotel room [don't yet have the latest iPhone w/Skype & video
]; that has helped with the being away from home especially for bedtime stress.
Congrats on selling lots of books! I’ve really enjoyed my copy and seeing you in NYC.
Best,
CB
LOL> Right! I’ve done that “room tour” thing with Skype, too, as well as shown the view out the window (when it’s not HVAC duct work). : )
Funny how that someone helps kids — when they can orient you in a certain location, in a way….
[...] seems like I will be traveling a bit for business this year and I found this awesome article 8-Point Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel where Ann Handley @marketingprofs Co-Author of Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, [...]
I might add a few:
1. Get out of your hotel, if possible. Go and eat good food at local places. (Thanks Alexa for making us do this!)
2. Get a Kindle. Seriously the best purchase I made.
3. Travel with smart, funny and generally wonderful women. That made things MUCH easier for me.
And might I add…. laugh a little. Always find humor in the frustrating situations that are brought about by frequent travel.
For example… the long line at the airport bathroom after you held it the whole flight because you were in a window seat and everyone in your row was sleeping
If you travel international get Global Entry! It’s $100 for 5 years and lets you fast track through Customs and Immigration. It really helps when you need to pick up your luggage then go through Customs and Immigration then drop it and make your connection. You can just go up to the kiosk, scan your passport, get your ticket and fast track past everyone. It can make it a 10 min process as opposed to a 90 minute process that sends you running for your connection.
Apply online at globalentry.gov and then you will have to go for an interview. Most of the interviews are held at major airports. Once approved you can use it right away. I scheduled my appointment on a business trip out of the country. I interviewed at 9 am and boarded my flight at 1pm. On the way back in the country five international flights landed at the same time as mine and I was through in 10 minutes. The Custom line wait was estimated at 90 minutes. It is the best travel buy for business travelers and my company reimbursed me as well – bonus!
[...] business-traveling advice from Ann Handley, be sure to read her 8-Point Survival Guide for Too Much Business Travel. Special thanks to Suzy Gehrls and Megan Cordero for recording the interview. Share and [...]