Traveling for work is fabulous -- at the start. Then delays, jet lag and always being a stranger in a strange city burns out even the most enthusiastic globetrotter. I asked several frequent business travelers what advice they could give the budding road warrior, and they swore the following will save your sanity:
Pack efficiently
Never, ever check in anything. For reasons why and tips on how to make everything fit into a cabin-sized wheelie, read this.
Have a permanent toiletry/wash bag stocked and ready to go. Make it a habit to buy two of your essential toiletries, one regular-sized for your bathroom and the other a travel-sized version for your wash bag. The latter always stays in the suitcase. That way you don't have last minute seizures figuring out what to bring, what to transfer and what to decant.
Switch to solids. @dupreeblue suggests LUSH products to sidestep the 3 oz/100 ml liquid/gel restriction -- and leave more space in the quart-size plastic bag for liquids. You can get soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion in solids (and your bag will smell like a LUSH store too, not a bad side benefit). More perfumers are also making solid versions of their fragrances.
Bring several Ziplock bags. The seal does break when overstuffed. Be like a girl scout and have some to hand.
Survive security
Be smart in choosing security lines. @BCVBenji makes it a point to avoid tour groups and diaper bags. He does gravitate towards people in suits -- they're usually more seasoned travelers and whip through lines in minutes. My own instinct is to follow anyone who's shedding jackets, removing laptops and taking out their plastic toiletry bags while in the queue.
Wear slip-on shoes, not lace-ups. They're easier to remove. And bring an old pair of socks which you can bin afterwards. Some airports offer plastic baggies for your feet, but unless you like the shuffling-in-a-scene-from-Outbreak look, I'd suggest socks.
Eliminate all metal. Remove all jewelry, belts, coins; take sunglasses off your head. Even hair clips can set off the machines.
Do security like the pros. While still in the queue, take off your jacket or coat and your laptop. Your plastic bag with liquids/gels should be in an outside pocket of your suitcase for easy removal.
Once you get within range of the bins, grab two: One for your shoes, coat and the plastic bag with liquids/gels; the other for your laptop and mobile phone. Pull on your old socks. Put both filled bins on the conveyor in a line along with your laptop case; put your suitcase last and use it to shove everything into the x-ray machine. Walk through.
Grab everything once they come out; dump socks once your shoes are on. Done.
Fly coach without a frayed temper
Always linger near the boarding gate so you're one of the first to get on. Overhead cabin space is precious. The last one on gets his bag tagged and checked in.
Book an aisle seat. It's easier to get to the bathroom. You also get off the plane quicker.
Err on the side of paranoia. Especially in the US, where flying domestic should require combat pay, it always helps to expect the worst. Bring a light blanket, buy a bottle of water after you go through security and a pack of dried fruit or nuts. Earplugs and an eye mask are also a godsend.
Fill out landing forms before you nap. Avoid the last-minute panic when you wake up and realise you don't have all your papers.
Set your watch to the time at your destination. Psychologically it gets you ready for arrival.
Make the trip rewarding for you
Stick to a routine. Whether it's eating breakfast at the same hour, running on a treadmill or reading before bedtime, make sure a routine you do at home is incorporated into your day. It breaks up the unfamiliar.
Carve out an hour for yourself to indulge in the city. No matter how busy your schedule is, treat yourself. It can be as simple as dining at a restaurant you've read about to organising a bespoke tour with a knowledgeable guide. Tour companies will gladly listen to suggestions, e.g. "I'd like a one-hour tour of all the famous Art Deco buildings in the area."
Collect memories. Take photos, blog about your trip or even just show friends your itinerary on sites like Jauntlet. (You can see some pictures of my own travels here.)
Benjamin Disraeli once said, "Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." Hopefully with the above your memories will be less about insufferable security lines, cramped plane seats and the other indignities of modern business travel, and more of the excitement, discovery and adventures that exploring a new city brings.
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