On the Road Again

Just recently my boss made me aware that for the upcoming months there are some important business meetings that require my attendance. I eagerly leaned in to learn more…then leaned back after she mentioned that these meeting were OFFSITE. Offsite, meaning; not the facility located down the street, but locations that warranted AIR TRAVEL.

Once again I was back on the road for business purposes. While business travel and a per diem can be exciting, I had grown accustom to conference calls and sleeping in my own bed. Frequent business travel can come with a lot of headaches, such as delayed flights, bad seat assignments and lost luggage. While the skies may be friendly, on the ground there can be utter chaos.

Would you believe that last year, the lost-bag rate in the U.S. was especially high, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), having nearly doubled since September 11, 2001? In fact, more than 1 million pieces of luggage were lost, stolen, or misdirected between May and July, the highest rates in 10 years. In short, a staggering 5.45 in 1,000 travelers were at risk of having their bags mishandled. INCREDIBLE! To avoid this mishap during your business or vacation travel, pay heed to the following tips.

1. Know when NOT to check
The six domestic carriers with the poorest baggage-handling records in the DOT’s September report were regional airlines—Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which mishandled 10.54 bags per 1,000, had the worst record.

2. Pack identification inside your luggage
If you have to check your bag, make sure to put your contact information (including your cell phone number) and an itinerary inside, in case your luggage tag comes off.

3. Avoid tight connections
If your travel plans require changing planes, avoid those flights that have tight connections. The same way you have to rush across the terminal in a frenzy to make the connecting flight, is the same way your bags have to make it to the next plane. If it’s a struggle for you to pull it off, it might also be a struggle for the airline baggage handlers.

If it’s absolutely imperative that your luggage arrive with you and on time, you might want to consider a service like Luggage Concierge (www.luggageconcierge.com). With this service you can experience the freedom and simplicity of traveling without luggage. They will ship your bags to and from your destination, thus allowing you to breeze through airports without any discomfort or inconvenience. That’s what I call luxury!

Nevertheless, I am on the road again and hope that this travel stint is short-lived. When traveling, I tend to check all my luggage, but I always hold on to my stylish She-Tech laptop tote and digital accessory bag, which is great for holding passports and other travel related items.

Whether you’re on the ground or in the sky, stay fashionable and stay connected!