Come Fly With Me: Travel Tips
July 29, 2008, by Group Post
The days of Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) have become the days of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and stylish stewardesses (AKA flight attendants) have come and gone. With today’s travel more of a challenge than a delight, we gals at Fifty is the New… thought we’d share some travel dos and don’ts to help make the journey more comfortable, stylish and hassle-free.
Got tips? Share your own travel advice in the Comments section!
Melissa’s Tip:
Slip-on-flats are back. Take this opportunity to look fashionable and also facilitate the shoes on-and-off bit…easy on, easy off. This movement can be done while moving through the line, in time with the conveyor belt. It’s a TSA ballet at orange level alert.
Cathy’s Tip:
When traveling by car, boat, train or plane, food options are usually dismal, especially if you’re trying to eat healthy. I like to bring easy-to-carry-on non-liquid snacks: nuts, protein bars, fruit, popcorn, even a sandwich (but no smelly items like onions or tuna), and gum for the airplane’s descent and fresh breath on arrival. When I reach my destination, I stop at a nearby market for more food and drink to keep me from raiding the mini bar.
Pru’s Tip:
Long ago, a friend taught me that the last thing you should do before leaving a hotel room (or anywhere you’ve spent the night, brushed your teeth, unpacked your bags, etc.) is an “idiot check.” It is now almost a religious right in our family—a good thing because of our extensive road trips. An idiot check means that every single person in the traveling party opens every drawer, looks under every bed, shakes out the bedding, looks behind the dressers, opens cabinets, peers behind doors and looks in the shower before leaving—just in case something has lodged itself behind the TV or someone has left her bikini hanging from the shower nozzle. The only time we didn’t do it (too hurried) we left my son’s prescription glasses and it ended up costing us $125.00. Lesson learned again!
Christie’s Tip:
Don’t wear anything from designer Norma Kamali, or Enormous Tamali, as we used to call her. You are guaranteed a trip behind the inadequate screen for a good wanding if you resemble an unraveling mummy.
Carine’s Tip:
To stop my shampoo, conditioner, various creams, lotions and hair gels from spilling out and soiling all my other toiletries (can you tell I’m not a guy?), I cover each one with a sandwich-size baggy, and wrap a rubber band around the top. It’s a pain in the butt, but it works. Just make sure to keep all the baggies and rubber bands in one place so you can re-use them for the return trip home.
Connie’s Tip:
Wear sweats. They don’t treat you any better if you look chic anyway. Wear thongs. But, never, never a thong, ya know what I mean?
July 29th, 2008 at 8:32 am
My latest travel tip. Wear a light pull over with a long pocket.I have a (cloudveil) that carries a airline ticket, boarding ticket or e-ticket perfectly.Keeps your documents handy and in one place.The pocket is stitched chest level with small long zipper. The pocket should fit all of the above with out having to fold. Also has room for compact toothbrush & toothpaste which is also very handy.
travel smart
w/fresh breath
July 29th, 2008 at 8:50 am
You know how liquid make-up, lotions, toothpaste and such — things that come in tubes — overflow like lava when you reach your destination? Bring along an extra plastic bag and at your hotel put the tubes in the bag, zip lock tightly and immerse in an ice bucket or sink filled with ice water for ten minutes or more. This keeps creams, lotions and expensive potions from overflowing when you open them.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Whether you think pashminas are passe or not, take one on a trip! They squish into your carry on easily, and they are amazing multi-purpose items: from serving as a your-germs-only pillow or blanket on the airplane, to instant warmth in a cold spot, to comfort blanket for a nap, to cover up for scooting to the hotel pool or sauna, to best wrap for a night out…so versatile. Just took one on vacation to England and France and I used it constantly, even in summer.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
First discovered this camping, and now I keep baby wipes handy in the glove compartment of my car, even when not on a road trip. They’re great for cleaning up after pumping gas, spilling coffee, or lifting bird poop off the car’s hood. Just get small packets because they dry out after a while.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Since I go on lots of short business trips, I don’t care for the travel size items anymore. Now I keep certain items permanently in my suitcase. My “permanent” items are: a good hairbrush, shoe bags, a toothbrush (yes, Cathy, I change it often!), tube -o-toothpaste, cotton swabs, floss, sanitary napkins and tampons. Most of these items have their own little plastic zipper baggie.
My “emergency kit” consists of: emergen-c, allergy medicine, pepto bismol tablets and pain killers.
When I get home, I know exactly what needs to be replenished (rarely anything!) and handle it right away. I then unpack the makeup, clothes and my shoes and store by luggage away.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Packing tips: I stuff my socks into my shoes, it keeps them from crunching and saves room. I believe rolling is better than folding and put a copy of my itinerary in my checked luggage, in case it goes to a different destination.