Travel Tips

[#1]

Ok.. I know there are columns on travel tips out there in the general internet world.  And most of us already know the biggies.  Like hydrate well before and during any flights as airplane cabins are usually very dry.  Wear easy to slip on/off shoes through the airport, (Ever been behind a woman with shoes with wraps half-way up her legs?  Or hiker types with boots laced up to mid-calf?).  Have your laptop ready to pull out before you get to the screening tables.  These are tips you'll find at almost any travel blog.

But I know that SAP consultants are some of the most traveled folks in the world.  I'm looking for some of the more unusual or unique tips that some of the traveling consultants have incorporated into their routines.  I KNOW there must be some good ones out there.  Some that maybe other SAP traveling consultants haven't thought of.  Maybe how they save space in packing?  What makes their trip go smoother?  Items that are must-have's or that do double-duty.

I'll start with a few. When I was flying out weekly, I had my blue, black, green, and gray weeks.  This made it easy to pack each week as I would only need one pair of shoes and belt.  With two pairs/styles of slacks of each color it was easy to grab the two pants, and the matching shirts that went with them for the week.  No thought to gee.. what was I going to wear.  Plus when they were washed when I got home, the whole complement of colors were washed together and ready to go for another full week.. Ok.. yes boring... maybe predictable, but I'm a guy.. boring is what we do.  Packing was literally done in about ten minutes. Now the ladies might have more trouble with that.  But I don't want to stereotype so I'll leave it at that!

Another tip, and hopefully many of you do this.  I designate one exterior, zippered pocket of my carry-on for airport security items.  While in line I drop everything into that pocket.  Coins, watch, belt, cell phone, wallet or billfold (mine had metal clips in them).  These all get scanned in the machine while secured in my bag and I'm not standing at the conveyer belt after going through, taking all my stuff out of the little trays.  When I get to the waiting area, I can take my time to empty the pocket and put everything back on.

And lastly, I never keep all my credit cards and cash together. A few cards and some cash in my wallet.  Backup cards and backup cash located elsewhere.  Sometimes in my laptop case or in the carry-on.  If I'm in an area really prone to pick pockets I make sure items are in front pockets and/or zippered pockets and its not all in one place.  When in public, (outside of actual travel),  I only carry one credit card on me with an intentionally limited credit limit.  I don't need a card with any more than a $500 credit limit most of the time when I'm out.  I also split my $$ up when I'm carrying it.  Some in the wallet, some of it elsewhere.  Another pocket sometimes. I've even carried money and credit cards in my shoes sometimes.  It's easy to tuck in a couple of 20's into your shoe or even your sock as a back-up.  (Did that often when biking). The point is to split them up so if you are a victim of a pick pocket or robbery, your losses are limited and you're not stranded some where with no cash or credit.  Along these lines, leave a list back home with a spouse or trusted relative of all the credit cards you took along, along with contact info and credit card numbers.  That way, if you are a victim, you can get the info to cancel everything.  It doesn't help if the list is stored electronically in your STOLEN computer or cell phone!  And it shouldn't be there anyway because if they steal those, they have your credit card info!

Looking forward to hearing some really good tips!!

FF

[RafkeMagic]

Nice tips, but kind of "American" focussed. I don't do as much travelling as before (lived in the US for a while and in that period I spent quite a lot of time "in the air"). Anyways, for Europeans, you probable only have 1 (or 2) credit cards, so you have to protect that one (or two) very well!

I like the tip about the "airport security items"... I usually have one of those "hip bags" (I know, not very fashionable, but quite practical actually) where I put in my Phone, cash, wallet, ...) before going into the security checkpoint.

If you do travel a lot (like you seem to do), it might be interesting to keep at least one extra pair of underwear and a clean shirt in your carry on (in case your luggage gets lost - happened to me a couple of times). I used to keep a deodorant handy as well, but that seems to be "dangerous".

I also kept some "wipes" in my carryon in case I had to go to an airport restroom... they're usually not that clean.

Also, for about a year, they never "found" my "hand gel" in my carry on (I was always glad to have that on me).

[former_member42743]

Yep, definitely American focused.  I am American and travel primarily in the US, but  with several trips a year abroad somewhere.  90% business. 

But I'm sure many folks here are not American and would like the tips other worldly travels can provide. 

The underwear and shirt in the carry on is a good one.  I rarely have to worry about that as I rarely check luggage and only have a carry-on.  Unless I'm away for 10+ days, I can usually manage with my carry-on.

I also have a tiny of container of wipes.

FF

[RafkeMagic]

another one for US travels:

if you have non-returning flights (meaning you go from A -> B then from B -> C and go back from C->A - actual example: you live in A and work in B, but over Thanksgiving you're visiting friends in C) with different "tickets" you're considered "suspicious" and most likely your boarding pass will have a code "SSS" (or something similar) on the bottom

in that case, skip the entire line (if there is one) at the security check in and tell them you're "special"

(they give you a full check, but it might be a lot faster than waiting in line)

[former_member42743]

Interesting!  See.. I knew I'd learn something!!! 

FF

[Former Member]

Perhaps you could show them that your social security number has an 8 in it, which means lucky & special?  🙂

My trick: in the hotel, hide the pen on the desk away. Then they replace it with a new one the next day. Then switch them -> you have a pen with a full ink cartridge... !

I also have some tips on hotel towels and smuggeling guns accross borders if anyone is interested?

Cheers,

Julius

[former_member42743]

I've noticed that many of the pens in some of the US hotel chains  have very little ink in them.  I understand that the chains buy them cheaper that way.  They only have about 1/10 of the ink that a normal retail pen has.  Even the note pads usually are only about 5-10 sheets thick.   No thanks on the gun smuggling!  Even if I was interested, I wouldn't express it here.  My government is probably scanning this as I type!  FF