- Always pre-book your seats and if you are not travelling business class (the downturn in the global economy affects everyone), try to find a seat that offers decent leg room.
- Print and keep all your ticketing confirmation so that you can produce it when you have to. Make copies and leave one with your assistant, colleague, partner at home - just in case.
- Book a seat as far away from the galleys or the toilets as you can. There is nothing worse than being woken by the constant clatter of trolleys or the chatting of airline stewards or people standing in a queue for the toilet and banging you by mistake (assuming you are in an aisle seat). That's if you are sleeping. If you're trying to work, the same applies.
- If you are attending business meetings immediately on arrival, then travel in a tracksuit and change as soon as you get on to the plane. In business class, suits and jackets will be hung in the cupboard. In economy class, you might have to be inventive and pack your clothes carefully before placing them overhead.
- Don't drink too much alcohol on a flight, especially if you have meetings on arrival. Stick to water and one glass of wine with a meal.
- If you are travelling on a long-haul flight, and you know that you will be unable to sleep, speak to your doctor and ask for a light sleeping tablet that will be out of your system within six hours.
The reality is that many people are unable to sleep, especially when scrunched up in economy class. You need your wits about you if you are going straight to meetings, so a good rest is essential.
- On arrival at your destination, if you are not going straight to a meeting, go for a walk around the block to get a little exercise and fresh air.
- Never, ever put your laptop in your hold luggage, even if you are not using it during your flight. Baggage handlers are brutal, as you will have notice if you watch them throw luggage to and from planes. You can't blame them, it's hard work throwing around luggage. But keep your sensitive things (including cameras) in your carry-on bag.
- A large wallet that takes your passport, tickets and travel receipts in one place is essential. But keep it on you unless you have a bag that is at your feet. Your passport should not leave your body while you are travelling.
- A light, well-designed travel bag that can hold a laptop, change of clothes, charger, camera and has shoulder and backpack straps is extremely useful but not easy to find. If you know a good make, send me the information at [email protected]. I have searched throughout the world and still have not find the ideal carry-on bag.
- Always carry hard currency with you, for instance, dollars for the US. Actually dollars are accepted in many places especially in developing countries. Euros and pounds make up most of the other hard currencies. If you are visiting a country with its own currency, find a cash machine on arrival at the airport and withdraw hard currency. But not large sums as you might have difficulty changing it back to your own currency.
- If you are laptop dependent then take along your own ethernet cable. Most hotels have ports for broadband but often there is a shortage of cables to link up.
- It is essential to travel light. This must be your mantra, especially when you are travelling on business. Take interchangeable garments so that you can change the appearance with guile.
- For women, shoes are our worst nightmare as one pair may not match your various outfits. If you are a female business traveller, stick to two basic colours and use accessories to brighten up your look. Scarves are a business woman's best friend.
- Keep your toilet kit readily stocked so that if you have to leave on a trip in a hurry, you can just pop it into your suitcase.
- Always carry your own shampoo as not all business hotels provide this essential item.
- Preferably pack clothing that resists wrinkling.
- Call your hotel ahead of time to find out exactly what it provides in the room (iron, hair dryer, pants press).
- Always travel with a small sewing kit, stick-on buttons (for men's shirts) and sticky tape. - People pack differently. I tend to roll my clothes and then they unfold neatly. Mens' shirts might not take kindly to this sort of treatment.
- Pyjamas and nighties are a total waste of space when travelling. Sleep in a T-shirt or naked unless you are sharing with a colleague who is a relative stranger. With budgets getting smaller, this might be the coming trend in travel.
- A hint. If you find yourself in this situation, advise your employer that you have a terrible snoring problem and you would hate to keep the person sharing your room awake.
- Socks, stockings and panties can be rolled up and pushed into shoes.
- Before you depart, check your cellular service to make sure your cell phone will work in the destination to which you are travelling. Alternatively you will have to buy a new sim card on arrival. It's not a big deal.