Travel Tips

Which carryon tote is best?

By Debby Giusti

In less than a week, I’ll be flying to Dallas for the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference.  With keynote speaker Michael Hyatt and early bird presenter Nancy Kress, this year’s conference should be packed with great inspiration and information. 

Many Seekers and Seekervillagers plan to attend, and seeing everyone will be the highlight of the week.  Most evenings, we’ll gather in the hotel lobby/common area to recap the day's events. Follow the laughter and you’ll be sure to find us.  Remember we’re all family so don’t hole up in your room. Instead join in the Seekerville fun.

You’ve never flown? You’ve never been to a conference? You don’t know what to expect or what to pack or what to wear?  Today’s blog is for you.  Ask questions, voice your concerns, offer advice, and we’ll all be better prepared for this year’s conference.

Two years ago, I posted a blog on “Packing Tips—Seeker Style.”  I’ve included a few points from that article in the blog today, but refer back to that 2010 post for additional information.

Now grab a cup of coffee and let’s talk about the upcoming conference.

Here are some of my tips:

Ensure you have plenty of $1 bills so you can say thank-you to the many service workers who make your stay more pleasant.  Curbside check-in at the airport?  The going rate is $2 per checked bag.  The shuttle driver who whisks you from the airport to the hotel gets a tip as well.  The bell boy who carts your luggage to your room, the housekeeping staff who answer your requests for more coffee packets or the maid who cleans your room—all of them deserve to be thanked. 

Research how you will travel to and from the airport ahead of time.  Often shuttle services require advance reservations and cash payment.  Save some dollars to tip those who help you on your trip home and cash on hand for your shuttle or taxi ride back to the airport.

Carry Wet Wipes in your purse for quick clean ups.  I often find crumbs from the previous passenger’s meal on the fold-down airplane tray. Call me a germaphobe, but I wipe the tray as soon as I board.

Tie a bright ribbon around your luggage handle to quickly identify your bag in the crowd of suitcases that often look alike.

Prior to going through security, take off all jewelry and belts and store them in your carryon tote.  Before being scanned, you’ll need to remove your shoes. If you’re wearing sandals, take socks to slip on so your feet stay clean.  Thousands of passengers pass through security each day…athlete’s foot…you get the idea, right?

After going through security, buy a bottle of water so you’ll have something to drink in case of long delays on the tarmac.

  

Be sure to check your airline’s suitcase weight requirements, and weigh your luggage at home so you can shift heavy items into a second bag if you’re over the maximum weight allowance.  Hotel fitness centers often have a scale that you can use to weigh your luggage for the return flight.

I usually fly Delta, which has a 50 lb. maximum for each checked bag. To keep my larger suitcase underweight, I pack heavy items, such as promotional products and books, in my carryon.

A word of caution: A few years ago, my roommate packed powered Coffee-mate in a plastic baggie. TSA opened her suitcase and sliced through the baggie. Coffee-mate spilled all over her clothes. What a mess! To keep agents from wondering about any white powder I might be carrying, I try to keep dry products, such as sweeteners or Coffee-mate, in their original containers.

To lower the odds of having TSA rummage through my suitcase, I pack electrical cords, battery chargers, umbrellas and curling irons—items that could look suspicious when scanned--in my carryon bag. Going through security, I place those types of items in a plastic bin to be screened separately.

I use TSA approved locks to keep my suitcases from opening en route.  They can be purchased anywhere luggage is sold. The agents have a master key so they can check the luggage, but the locks keep the cases secure during the flight.

Now that airlines charge for checked luggage, most folks travel with carryon bags. The overhead bins fill quickly so board as soon as possible to ensure you can find space for your bag.

When I traveled to RWA this summer, I paid the extra $25 and checked a second bag filled with my promotional items. It would have been heavy to lift into the overhead compartment if I had taken it on board. Plus, I wanted to use my briefcase on wheels, which was my main carryon.  In spite of the extra charge, I found the trip less stressful because I didn’t have to haul the heavy bag around the airport and to and from my gate.

Some folks mail items to the hotel and have them held until their arrival. Be sure to check the fees first. The RWA hotel charged $50 a day for each box held for incoming guests. One woman, flying internationally, mailed boxes that arrived earlier than expected, and she ended up with a $1000 holding fee.

If you enjoy listening to music, take your own earphones so you can tune into the airplane’s sound system immediately upon boarding.

Grab an airline blanket when you board.  They can be used as lap blankets if the temperature drops or used as a lumbar roll to ease back strain.

Wear layers.  Some airplanes can be extremely cold; others—especially while waiting for takeoff—can be the exact opposite.  Layering is an easy way to help regulate your body temperature.

Food on board flights—even cross-country flights—is limited.  Fix a sandwich or snack at home or grab a pre-made meal at the airport before your board.  Remember liquids must be purchased after you pass through security.  Even if the airline sells sandwiches and snacks during the flight, the supply often runs low.  I’m not sure about other airlines, but Delta will not accept cash so have your credit card handy.

I pulled a muscle at a conference a number of years ago and now pack muscle relaxers, just in case. Extra reading glasses and a second pair of contacts are a must as well as a night reading light that could double as a flashlight in case of emergency.

Pam Hillman’s an organized traveler who provided the following tips.

“I have a small toiletries bag in my purse for Band-Aids, ibuprofen, peppermint, gum, lotion, clippers, etc. When I travel, I make sure the bag is stocked (esp. the ibuprofen) and transfer it to my carryon luggage. That way I have all those little essentials I need on the plane.”

She suggests minimizing the number of items you have to lug through the airport. “I have ONE bag. PERIOD,” says Pam. “I don't even carry a purse. I have a rolling backpack that I got at Walmart for about $30.00. It holds my laptop and everything else I need. I'm not concerned about an extra set of clothes. If my luggage is lost, I'll make do until I can pick up an outfit.”

Pam also suggests wearing a blouse or top with a front pocket for your ID and ticket. “Until you're safely through check-in,” she says, “keep your important documents in that pocket. When you no longer need your ID, STOP and put it BACK in your wallet/purse immediately. You will thank yourself later.”

Another great tip from Pam: “Use your smart phone to take pictures of your hotel room number, the street your hotel is on, etc. If you drive to the airport, leave your airport parking ticket on the visor of your car. Place your car keys in a safe, zippered location in your carryon bag or purse. Oh, and as you walk away from your car in the airport, snap a picture of the parking lot section you're in. Just sayin'.”

Pam plans to buy a lot of books at the conference and will pack a USPS Flat-rate box and a tape gun in her suitcase so she can mail her purchases home.

Missy recommends packing clothing in plastic compression bags. “I always pack a huge amount for each conference and will do anything to squeeze it all in! I usually use three of these bags. Plus, I like the idea that if my luggage gets checked by the TSA, all my stuff won't fall out or get wrinkled.”

She adds, “Pack a black skirt and one or two pairs of black pants. Then just switch out tops and take one black cardigan sweater.” (Missy, if that’s all you’re taking, why the need for the compression bags?  <grin>)

Janet Dean and her hubby often drive to conferences. “When we’re taking a long trip with lots of luggage and changing motels every night, we try to pack the small suitcases with the things we need for that night and the next morning,” she says. “That way we don’t have to haul all the luggage inside unless we’re staying for several days. We try to pack our clothes in order, with things we’ll wear later in the trip on the bottom. I’ve used the large zip lock plastic bags to coordinate outfits and minimize wrinkles. We put shoes, daub kit and cosmetic bag in plastic bags to protect our clothes. I keep items in my make-up bag all the time, even soap, lotion and shampoo since I’m sensitive to fragrances. Thankfully most motels/hotels use unscented detergent. We stockpile dollar bills and coins to tip maids and pay tolls. We take a small cooler for water/pop and a stash of snacks in the car. We also take a Garmin, charger cords and camera batteries, OTC and prescription meds, band aids, antibiotic ointment and doctor’s phone numbers. No matter how hard I try, I usually forget something.” 

Mary Connealy says, “I never ever check the bag with my computer in it. Instead I ALWAYS keep it with me to avoid damage and to have it close in case there's a chance to write. I stick two or three copies of my books in my computer bag, and if the opportunity arises, I give them to people I meet or seatmates on a plane. I also keep a stack of bookmarks in a pocket of my purse and some Seekerville pens to 'share.' I try not to be obnoxious about the marketing with people trapped beside me, I swear.”

She adds, “I always carry my Kindle, phone and computer charger cords in my computer bag so if I'm stuck in an airport I can keep working or phoning or reading. I usually carry a book with me that I SHOULD read but don't particularly WANT to read, because being trapped on an airplane will force you to open that book.”

Myra Johnson suggests packing an extra pair of comfortable shoes. “After a day of hiking the corridors of a huge hotel, your feet will thank you. Plan ahead what you will (most likely) wear each day and evening of the conference, along with an extra outfit or two just in case. Try everything on before you pack to double-check fit, look for missing buttons, etc., and make sure you have all the parts of the outfit you'll need, including accessories. Throw in a shawl or light sweater in case meeting rooms are chilly.”

In addition, Myra says, “Print out all important e-mail correspondence you received prior to the conference, including your registration info, hotel confirmation, prescheduled appointments, etc., and place them in a folder or notebook to take with you. Include a list of friends' cell phone numbers.”

Cara Lynn James always brings her health insurance cards just in case. A list of prescription drugs and the dosage is also a good idea as well as an emergency point of contact.

Say goodbye to ironing with Glynna Kaye’s packing tip. “I've been doing this Ziploc thing ever since I took a trip to Britain ages ago,” Glynna says. “I get varying sizes of bags--quart, gallon, 2 1/2 gallon. Then I neatly fold each item and put them in separate Ziploc. I've found it really does work.” The bags slide against each other in transit so the fabrics don’t get pulled or wadded up.

For fabrics that are easily wrinkled, Glynna folds the garment around a Ziploc bag and offers the following instructions. “I place a blouse face down on the bed and then lay an appropriately sized Ziploc bag on top of the back of the main body of the garment, below the shoulders and above the hem. I fold the sides in toward the middle of the garment first and then the sleeves. Finally, I fold the bottom up. That way the front of the garment isn't rubbing against the back.” And for quick cleans ups for her wrinkle-free clothing, Glynna packs a Tide To Go stick.

Lots of great advice from all the Seekers. Now, I’m eager to learn your travel tips.  Leave a comment to be included in a drawing for one of my books, winner’s choice.

Grab a cup of coffee and some breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and grits—and let’s swap ideas on how to make conference travel easy peasy!

Can’t wait to see you in Dallas.  Hugs and love to those not attending this year.  We’ll bring back lots of great info to share.

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com

THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER available in print or e-book.  Click here to order your copy.

If you’re going to ACFW, check out our Seekerville Silent Auction Donation--a beautiful writing secretary handcrafted by Gary Harders.  Thank you, Gary, for providing such a wonderful gift for a lucky ACFW winner.  Proceeds from the silent auction fund scholarships for next year’s conference.