I’ve been traveling a lot this month for my business. So far in February, I’ve been in Modesto, Miami and Biloxi. When you hear me say I’m going anywhere in the United States, it is usually for a speaking engagement. Right now, professional speaking is where the bulk of my income comes from. Companies and organizations pay me a fee to present keynote speeches or workshops at their conferences and events. I charge my clients per engagement and they are also responsible for paying for my travel and expenses to get from where I am to where they are – and back.
Because of my business, I’ve visited about 30 different cities (many of them multiple times, like Denver, San Diego and Atlanta) in the past four years. Having a business that provides speaking and training services for organizations allows me to go to places I never would have thought to go on my own. I love the process of traveling, though I’ve only just recently (in the past year) begun feeling like a frequent flyer. I now know the layouts of most major U.S. airports, down to the food options that are available for someone who does not eat meat.
By following the same routine for every trip, I have figured out how to save time and stress even when I end up being out of town three-four times in one month (which is a lot for me). In this way, I am able to enjoy the process of traveling and seeing new people and places much more.
This is how I travel.
Before the Trip
I work with the event organizer to schedule my trip, including hotel and flight arrangements. Sometimes I pay for everything and then get reimbursed after the engagement. Sometimes the organization pays all the costs up front on their end. When I pay, I have more flexbility on which airlines I fly, which is helpful. I prefer to fly American Airlines when I can, so that I can maximize my frequent flyer miles with them toward my international trip later this year.
The day before I travel, I print out (or write down) all the confirmation numbers for my flight, hotel, rental car and shuttle, if applicable. I check-in online via the airline website the morning of my flight. I print out my boarding pass and itinerary at home so the only thing I have to do when I get to the airport is go straight to security. This saves a LOT of time.
UPDATE: I now use a fantastic iPhone app called TripIt (it’s free!) to organize all of my flight information. Also, wherever possible (like on United), I have my boarding pass sent to my iPhone and it just gets scanned by TSA and the flight attendants at the gate. Mobile boarding passes have changed my life and saved a lot of time looking for a printer at my hotel or having to stand in line at the airport. I just walk on through!
What I Wear On the Plane
I dress to be comfortable, not cute on the plane. I also get cold easily, so I make sure to layer my clothing and bring a coat, sweater or heavy sweatshirt with me.
- A tank top
- Yoga pants or light, tight fitting sweat pants
- A yoga jacket or light sports jacket
- A thick sweater or sweatshirt (I layer the sweater/sweatshirt on top of the sports jacket)
- Thick white socks
- Asics or Nike running shoes
After testing other clothing combinations, I’ve found that this is my favorite, no-fail outfit for traveling comfortably and staying warm on the airplane.
This outfit also saves me time going through security, as my running shoes are easy to slip off and then back on. The socks help a lot because then I don’t have to put my bare feet on the dirty airport floor. All I have to do is take off my outer jacket and it’s smooth sailing with TSA.
What Luggage I Use
For the past two years, I’ve been packing light. No checked bags. Checked bags can get lost (though this has only happened to me twice in four years). Checked bags also take longer (often MUCH longer) to retrieve because you have to go down to baggage claim and wait for the sucker to start rolling out your stuff. And to add insult to injury, on most airlines, it costs at least $25 for the privilege of having them check your bag. So I rely on one carry-on bag and a small backpack to take on the plane.
I use a Heys USA carry-on bag in black and gray. I love it because it fits everything I need inside. It also looks elegant and more expensive than it really is. (I got mine for $90 at Target.) I don’t use the expandable option of the bag, however, as it will not fit unto most airline overhead bins if you stuff any bag to the hilt that way.
In my Heys carry-on is where I put all of my clothing, shoes and toiletries. I can fit a month’s worth of clothing into my carry-on, provided I have access to a washing machine and dryer where I’m going.
In my backpack is where I put my laptop, computer accessories, wallet, iPod/earphones, cell phone and snacks. I also slip in a book to read as well as my notebook and journal.
What I Pack
Since I travel mostly for business, I’ll share what I pack for a 1-3 day trip for a speaking engagement. It’s important to note though, that I needed only to multiply most of these items by three to have enough clothes for almost a month in Hawaii.
Clothing
Two full outfits. This usually consists of:
- The outfit to wear for my speech – a blazer, tank top, black slacks or dark-colored jeans
- An outfit to wear to dinner (my hosts often arrange a special dinner for speakers/guests) – a skirt or jeans and a top
- Two pair of shoes – black flats and a pair of heels
- Pajamas
- 2 bras, 2 pair of panties, 2 pair of socks
In addition to my travel outfit, this makes at least three total outfits I have available, but up to six if I mix and match the tops and bottoms.
Toiletries
- Contact lens case and solution (small 4 oz bottle, TSA allows it for medical reasons)
- Deodorant, baby powder, tampons/pads if needed
- Travel sized bottles of lotion, facial scrub and scented body spray
- Small makeup bag: liquid foundation, lipstick/gloss, eyeliner, mascara (I don’t wear very much makeup anymore)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb
- Travel-sized spray bottle filled 1/4 with coconut oil (wrapped tightly in a plastic grocery bag to prevent leaks)
- Small jewelry bag: two pair of earrings, a necklace and a ring or two
What I Do with My Natural Hair
As you already know, I take a very minimalist approach to my natural hair care. Right now, I like to wear it in its short, afro state or in finger twists. When I’m traveling, I just use the hotel shampoo and conditioner to wash my natural hair. I keep it moisturized by adding water to the coconut oil in my travel bottle, spraying my hair with the oil/water combination after my shower, then picking out my afro or twists. Turns out great every time.
What I Eat
Although most airports will have a place to purchase snacks and meals, I try to carry snacks with me in case there’s nothing I want available, which is frequently the case in tiny airports like the one I encountered in Springfield, Illinois. It also saves money. Lately I’ve been carrying pretzels, popcorn and/or crackers with me in my backpack. As for drinks, I rely on the free beverage service on the airplane to quench my thirst.
What I eat in the airport:
- Green/fruit smoothies from places like Jamba Juice
- Muffins and bagels from places like Starbucks
- Pretzels from places like Auntie Anne’s
- Tuna sandwiches (I can’t stand the all-veggie ones with just cheese and tomato and bread. Don’t know why. But you’ll never see me eating a tomato-mozzarella sandwich.)
- Pizza or pasta from places like Sbarro (cheese or veggie)
If I get really hungry on the flight or don’t have enough time to buy a real meal in the airport, I buy the fruit and cheese plate that is often offered on the plane. (United Airlines has the best one, in my opinion.)
How do you travel, for business or otherwise? What else would you like to know about traveling?
Hey Rosetta, great post! I actually recently wrote a story Top 5 Travel Tips For Natural Hair, which could also be helpful for your readers: http://www.lovebrownsugar.com/2012/03/top-5-natural-hair-tips-for-travel.html
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Thanks for this post, Rosetta!
For the month of March and April alone, I will be traveling at least 4 times to conduct workshops at conferences. I tend to travel as light as possible as well, but I’m mostly in jeans, a top, and I carry a sweater or coat, depending on the weather. I also make sure to check the weather of the city I’m traveling to as the weather may vary greatly.
When it comes to booking my flight, I tend to go with whatever airline the host is offering to pay for, but when I book I tend to travel with Delta. For the most part, I tend to find a friend that I can stay with in the city or I’ll go with whatever hotel the host is paying for. Hopefully I’ll get to the day when all of this is taken care of for me financially without me doing one or the other (I need to start attracting opportunities that will pay me for my services AND pay for my travel and lodging!)
I also need to buy more travel size bottles for my lotions, gel, etc. for whatever reason, I tend to forget this important aspect and have to check my baggage in.) I also need to pack my own snacks (fruits, nuts, etc) instead if relying on airport foods to sustain me.
I do have one question: How do you deal with the anxiety of flying? Try as I might, I have a hard time falling asleep during flights, regardless of how long the fligh actually is. And turbulence? Forget it!
I have the opposite problem – always falling asleep during flights. I have every intention of finishing a book or writing a blog post on the plane, but I usually get some zzz’s instead. Maybe that’s my body’s subconscious way of coping with flying anxiety!
How do you deal with the anxiety of flying?
Reading Psalm 27 and Psalm 91 from the Holy Bible have always proven effective whenever I feel fear or anxiety.
Also…Having Kirk Franklin playing on your Ipod never hurts either. My Life, My All, my Love is my favorite. When on the plane, I feel its the true test of surrender.
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Same here – no dressing “cute” on planes. Usually too tired to care about that or running into men during travels. As someone working overseas, comfort & packing as little as possible are most important to me.
Read my latest blog post…Celebrate every day.
I like your thinking Rosetta. Truthfully, I believe some yoga pants are very flattering & stylish and not at all frumpy… I have several from Athleta I absolutely LOVE and wear them through airports all the time. One thing I’d caution about though is leaving your wallet and cell phone ANYwhere that’s not ON your person. Especially in this down economy where desperation leads to more theft. As you’re also speaking on these trips, I think you’d really like my solution…I designed this little problem-solver (now patented) after accidentally dropping my spare tampon on the gym floor and getting mad (horrifying but true!) but it’s for so much more than fem hygiene. Now you can strap your ID, cash cards, cell phone etc to your body under your outfit and have 100% certainty on their whereabouts which gives you peace of mind. It’s detachable, interchangeable and easy to use. Simple to get at. Won’t fall off. Uber comfy. A practical, common sense solution to problems people have every day.. See what I mean, here: http://bit.ly/dt71V Easiest to find ‘em on amazon and via our site at http://www.portapocket.com best wishes
I love your whole concept of packing minimally. Not sure how I feel about the Yoga pants look. I travel quite a bit for work and America is the only place where they airport is a sight for sore eyes. No one looks prepared to engage in new relationships. No one looks prepared to meet anyone. I feel this is sad because its a lost opportunity. Some of my best contacts have come from someone complimenting me on my wardrobe which leads into engaging the person and a new relationship starts, even at the airport. When I was in Africa and in Europe last year…those folks look stylish at the airport. The best business contacts are made at the airport…but not in America. Frumpy dumptys all the time. Maybe subconsciously you are projecting “don’t talk to me, I want to be comfortable, i’m not in the mood to get to know anyone when I’m flying:. If this is truly the case…i say carry on…but I encourage my clients who are entrepreneurs to look their best when they can help it. Business can come from anyone anywhere and at anytime and you want to be prepared for the opportunity.
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I feel we are not in this life to “be comfortable,” but to live out our goals, dreams and potential and that will take us outside of our “comfort zone.” When prospective clients describe their style as “comfortable”…I hear..stuck in a rut. It’s time to shake things up. If I see someone that “looks comfortable” I usually just leave them alone. What they choose to wear…communicates volume. I’ll go over to the sistah who has got going on…I wanna know who she is, what she does and what she knows.
Read my latest blog post…Goodbye Whitney
I totally agree. I started to dress better for travel after going over seas and seeing people looking their best on planes. I think it says a lot about us if we look our part in the airport – like we are presenting even there. I love when I am one of the few who look put together when I travel.
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Yeah, I know everyone isn’t into the yoga pants look, but I actually do like how I look in them! They’re not what I would wear on a date, but I don’t feel frumpy, either. Back when I first started traveling a lot, I tried the whole “dress to impress” thing and then I started asking myself “who am I trying to impress?”
Great point about projecting. I know that a lot of business coaches/image consultants advise their clients to dress nicely everywhere, but now that I think about it…I don’t really want to engage with people very much when I’m in the airport. I’ve usually got my iPod on, too!
I’ve met both men and clients in the airport before, though – for the most part, they were also dressed like I was. But everyone has their own comfort level, for sure. I do recall sensing more interest from people when I wore my “good clothes” in the airport but at this time in my life, that’s not enough of an incentive to be uncomfortable on the plane!
The goal is to be able to balance style and comfort. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Yoga pants, workout clothes I feel belong at the gym. As a style coach (which is different from image consultants) it’s all about being comfortable in your own skin and being true to who you are so if you know you have no intention or want to build new relationships at the airport…going in or coming out…then Yoga pants it is as its an honest approach to how you feel.
Read my latest blog post…Goodbye Whitney
Good tips Rosetta. Girl I am STILL working on minimal packing. One things I am big girl and it’s hard to get all that stuff in those carryons. LOL! I am getting better.
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Have you looked into Six Items Or Less? I’ve done it twice, and it has totally changed how I travel – as well as how I dress on a day-to-day basis. You can mix and match more of what you are wearing for travel as well as for your speaking and dinner meetings.
Read my latest blog post…Kid Sis #2
I definitely took the minimalist packing approach when I had to spend two weeks on the road in January. I was able to get everything I needed into one bag and one carry-on and looked sharp the entire time.
I’m also a fan of yoga pants and sneakers on the plane. Anything else is way too uncomfortable for me.
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I love my yoga pants & sneakers! Whenever I see women with stiletto heels on in the airport, I’m so confused. There’s often a lot of unexpected walking from gate to gate, so I know it’s gotta be uncomfortable.
Yes, and high five to the minimalist packing approach! I used this method for when I went to Chicago and DMV area for one week for vacation. I was able to fit all my clothes into a carry on and avoid bag check-in fees. A large part is planning what you are going to wear – how many different outfits can you get from 6 items and how you fold the clothes in the carry on bag. lol! Worked like a charm.
I’ve tried the “dress to impress” while traveling which was no bueno for me. So, I’ve found a happy medium in blue jeans, slip-on shoes, and a nice blouse. Is there a such thing as “casual chic”? lol!
c.
Your casual chic sounds very cute and comfortable!
That’s the way I go, too, decent skinny jeans/trouser jeans, decent blouse, scarf (for fashion as well as to use as a wrap on the plane), ballet flats/boots in the winter, jewelry on the ears, wrist, and fingers.
Comfortable, yet, still looks real put together.
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