| "body"> | | | | connections in the room. If youwill require this, |
| Whether it's your first trip or you are a seasoned | | | | check before hand and book one of those rooms. |
| jet setter,it's never too late to learn a couple of | | | | Also verify services charges. Many hotels that |
| new tricks to make yourtrip more enjoyable, | | | | cater to businesstravelers have a separate |
| more efficient, and safer. | | | | business suite with computers, printersand fax |
| Here are a few steps you should always follow. | | | | machine. This is any area where you might |
| Preplanningo Always confirm reservations the day | | | | havesignificant charges if you aren't careful. The |
| before especially for latearrivals give a credit card | | | | same goes for theroom phone. Don't use the |
| guarantee. | | | | room phone except in an emergency. |
| Send a copy of your itinerary to significant other | | | | There are high surcharges and tariffs at most |
| or closestfamily member. (I also put a copy of | | | | hotels. Use yourcell or the public phones in the |
| my schedule on therefrigerator.) | | | | lobby if you have a lot of callsto make.o If you |
| TIP: Discuss up front how often and when you will | | | | are making a speech or presentation at the |
| call so familywon't be worried if they don't hear | | | | meeting,check to see their computer capabilities. |
| from you. Set aside aspecific time you will touch | | | | Many times it's betterto take several CDs with |
| base either by phone email or fax | | | | your presentation rather than luggingyour laptop.o |
| (fax is particularly good when out of the country | | | | When buying luggage make sure it has wheels. Its |
| and indifferent time zones.)o Plan to travel light | | | | also better tohave two smaller cases rather than |
| but always put and extra set of underwearand | | | | one heavy one. This isespecially true in Europe |
| essentials in your carry on. Pack dress shoes in a | | | | where accommodations for large luggageare |
| carry onif you wear running shoes to the airport. I | | | | minimal. |
| once had to make animportant presentation in my | | | | Upon Arrivalo Check out the transportation. Your |
| sneakers because my luggage waslost. Include | | | | best option is topre-arrange a car service to pick |
| any medications that you need on a daily basis | | | | you up. Most airports havenumerous options to |
| inyour carry on. Carry plenty of water on the | | | | choose from outside of the baggage claimarea. If |
| plane and takesomething for dry throat such as | | | | you choose a taxi be sure you have the actual |
| lozenges in your carry on. Putimportant phone | | | | addresshandy. Ask for the approximate rate once |
| numbers such as your meeting location in case | | | | you have given them yourdestination. It should be |
| ofdelays in a couple of places among your bags. | | | | within a few dollars unless there istraffic. Many |
| TIP: Always carry your important business papers | | | | time taxis are cheaper and much lees of a |
| with you on theplane. DO NOT check your | | | | hassleespecially with luggage than renting car or |
| briefcase.o Pack extra glasses, tissues, and aspirin | | | | taking a van. |
| in your travel bag. | | | | TIP: Carry plenty of cash for unusual |
| Take snacks such as raisins, nuts or fruit (not | | | | circumstances, deadheadingback from the airport |
| candy) in caseyou get stranded on a runway and | | | | such as NY to Newark. If budgets are |
| there is no food.o Double check to ensure you | | | | aconsideration consider ride sharing or using |
| have cash, identification, creditcards, itinerary and | | | | shuttle vans thatmake the hotel runs.o When you |
| eticket or paper ticket before you leavehome. | | | | check into the hotel, ensure that the |
| (Don't forget your passport if you are traveling | | | | registrationagent maintains your privacy by not |
| out of thecountry). Go through your purse to | | | | shouting out your room numberor taking a key |
| ensure there are no scissorsor similar items that | | | | down from the wall showing everyone what |
| might be construed as weapons. I lost avery nice | | | | room youare in. It's permissible to ask a bellman |
| pair of scissors that way.o Don't wear shoes with | | | | to accompany you to theroom even if you only |
| metal bars/rods in the soles. It is awfulto have to | | | | have an overnight case. |
| take them off and walk around in your bare feet. | | | | TIP: Be prepared to tip well, yet not lavishly. The |
| Depending upon the size of the airport this can | | | | bellman canbe your best friend providing you with |
| add considerabletime to the screening process. | | | | great suggestions on whereto eat and reputable |
| You can never be too careful. Oncethe under wire | | | | cab drivers, etc.o Ask for a room away from the |
| in my bra set off the alarm at the airport and | | | | elevator but not at the end of thehall either. You |
| afemale attendant had to pat me up to make | | | | should avoid walking down long empty |
| sure I didn't have aconcealed weapon in my bra.o | | | | corridorslate at night.o Ask about going out alone |
| Plan to arrive at the airport a minimum of two | | | | if you plan to shop or dine outsidethe hotel. Many |
| hours beforeyour flight. The important lesson is to | | | | hotels will have a list of suitable restaurantswhere |
| be relaxed and enjoy thetrip. You do not want to | | | | women can feel quite comfortable dining along. |
| start off on a bad foot by rushingfrantically at the | | | | Tip: Be sure to ask about the clientele of the |
| last minute. Should your schedule be reallytight, | | | | restaurant. Youdon't want to get recommend to |
| find an agent at the airport and explain the | | | | a "meat" market just because it'sthe in spot. |
| situation. | | | | Other considerations |
| Don't stand in line expecting them to contact you. | | | | When choosing your hotel, select wisely. Price is |
| Arrive at thegate at least 20 minutes before | | | | not asimportant as security. Call and speak with |
| departure. If the flight is overbooked, they WILL | | | | the hotelrepresentatives if this is an unfamiliar |
| give away your seat. If you and someone | | | | hotel. |
| elsehave the same seat don't get up and give it | | | | Questions to ask |
| to them. Stay seatedand alert a flight attendant. | | | | Can you walk in the surrounding area alone |
| Provide your boarding pass. | | | | safely? |
| Possession is 9/10 of the law. You don't have to | | | | Are there restaurants and services on the |
| move if you gotthere first. This is the time to | | | | premises? |
| stand your ground or you mightnot be on the | | | | Do they cater to women with such things as hair |
| flight at all.o If your travel is for an important | | | | dryer and robesin the room? |
| meeting that you simply youcan't miss, plan to go | | | | Are there exercise facilities available? |
| the night before. Don't take a late flightbut one | | | | How accessible is transportation such as taxis? |
| that allows you to get your hotel, have dinner and | | | | A closing note, flying is not glamorous. It's |
| relaxthe evening before the meeting. Check | | | | frustrating andconsumes an enormous amount of |
| schedules of smallerairports too. In many cases | | | | time and energy. Many seasonedtravelers now |
| there may be a limited number offlights if you | | | | opt to drive shorter trips. When you travel by |
| miss connections. This could justify going in | | | | air,pack a lot of patience and understanding. Think |
| thenight before.o If the flight is unreasonably | | | | of the trip in ahumorous light and you will enjoy |
| delayed and you need to let someone know use | | | | yourself much more. Use thesetips and practiced |
| the in flight phone while in transit. It is priceybut | | | | security measures and you will take off of |
| worth it if you need to inform someone of your | | | | theright foot and arrive back home with minimal |
| whereabouts.o Most major hotels have laptop | | | | travel fatigue. |