| Traveling Light, Part II |
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• Eliminate metal detection |
You know about the car keys and Day Timer pens. But did you know the most
common metal-detected items are actually large metal belt
buckles and steel shanks in shoes? Unless you are a professional
rodeo champion, wear a belt with a little less metal on the
plane, and pack your silver tip one in your travel bag.
The
best travel dress shoe is Allen Edmonds. They are the only
one with no steel shank or nails. If you do get
a shoe inspection, slip-on shoes are easiest on and off.
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• Bypass the baggage carousel |
This is a big one. Much time is lost waiting at the FAA's
version of a slow Nascar race. The trick is to pack
light!
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• Invest in a Town and Country Suit and a black blazer
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A Town
and Country suit is a coat and pant that can be worn together,
but the jacket can be matched with a contrasting pant for a
second look, the pant can be paired with the black blazer for
a third look, and the pant can also be worn with a casual shirt
for a fourth look. The black blazer can be paired with jeans
for social or casual dinner with friends or clients. All told,
you can take 6 outfits in one bag.
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• Avoid the wrinkled "Gen Y" look when
you get dressed for your meeting the next day |
Okay, you know about hanging your suit in the shower steam,
but wouldn't you prefer your clothes to arrive wrinkle-free
in the first place?
Travel bags are becoming more innovative these days, but
regardless of what you use, here is a tip that
will make a huge difference in cutting down on travel wrinkles:
put each hanging garment in a plastic dry cleaning bag.
By doing so, you will create an air pocket between garments, as well
as keep the garments from catching on each other. Do the
same with your starched dress shirts, and you will cut your
wrinkles down by 70% or more.
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• Exit the plane quickly with LIFO seating |
When
booking your flight, request seats in the front of the plane.
There is probably 10 minutes difference between seat 7C and
44B. And those 10 minutes translate into even greater savings when you reach the car rental counter ahead of the pack seated behind you on the plane. Of course, flying first class is the fastest option of all.
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• Wear a nice sport jacket when flying on weekends |
Most
weekend travelers are dressed the worst; by
looking like a hard-working lady or gentleman, you'll have your best
shot at moving to empty first class seats. Politely ask the
gate attendant if they have any unused seats up front, that
you would happily volunteer. This works more often than you might think,
and is a nice perk for a small effort.
The
difference is that you will stand out in a sea of jeans and sweatshirts.
Plus, the sport jacket gives you pockets, and you won't need
to be wearing those silly mobile pants with all the cargo pockets
loaded down.
(Click here to return to Traveling Light, Part I)
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