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Travel Tips for Business Professionals
by Anne Ihde

Women now constitute at least half of all of the business travelers in the United States.  Whether you are traveling for a business meeting or seminar, listed below are some tips to keep in mind so that your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible.  While many of them may seem like common sense, they bear repeating.

1. BAGGAGE.  Limit what you take because you never know when you'll have to carry all your belongings down a long airport concourse, along a narrow staircase or ramp to the plane, or up a marble staircase to the hotel lobby.  Also, make sure your suitcase is unique and easily identifiable.  Purchase a colored bag or customize your bag with stickers, ribbons, or tags.  Wheels are a must for any trip longer than a day.  If your suitcase and briefcase can be attached, your back will thank you.  If you have business cards, consider using a laminated business card as your luggage tag.  That way anyone checking your address will not know your home address and telephone number.
2. PACKING.  Limit your wardrobe to just a few color options and avoid bulky blazers or linen suits.  Pack clothes made from a synthetic blend, because this type of material stands up to wrinkles better and looks crisper and cleaner than 100 % cotton; 100% wool works well too.  Roll, don't fold, your clothes, which will save space and prevent wrinkles (try it—you'll be pleasantly surprised).  And never pack fragile items in the outer compartments of your luggage where they can break (bubble wrap, anyone?).   Pack certain items within other items to help save space.   
3. DEALING WITH AIRPORT SECURITY.  Do not lock your luggage unless the key is clearly accessible on the bag's handle, and avoid complicated combination locks.  In these days of high security awareness airports reserve the right to cut open any bag that is not easily searchable.  At the very least, complicated baggage locks could delay your boarding if security feels the need to check them.  If you have "hot" items in your baggage such as a money clip or tweezers may set off that metal detector, group these items together into one carry-on bag that you can send through the x-ray machine. 
4. IN FLIGHT.  If you're traveling alone, even though the person sitting next to you on the flight may seem like the friendliest and most harmless person, never, ever volunteer the fact that you are traveling alone.  Also don't disclose your hotel information to them. 
5. TIPPING.  Bring lots of $1 bills to tip the service people who help you.  It's better to spend a few dollars in tips than to look ridiculous—and cheap—struggling with your luggage.
6. TOILETRIES AND MORE.  Pour your favorite shampoo and conditioner into smaller bottles and consider ways to simplify your makeup routine.  Pack a bunch of gallon-size Ziplock bags.  They are good for little purchases, dirty laundry, bottles, etc.  Take a small bottle of Woolite to wash undergarments if you will be traveling more than five days.  Don't pack a hair dryer.  Every hotel can provide one to you even if they're not standard in every room.
7. FOOD.  Always have something in the suitcase that doesn't take a lot of room but could be a meal if you get to your hotel late or there's no room service.  Good options are pop-top cans of tuna, granola bars, packages of crackers, or energy bars.  Keep something tasty in your carry-on for the plane, too, since so few flights have meals these days.
8. CAR RENTAL.  If you are renting a car, get very specific directions on how to find the car rental agency when you make the booking.  At the agency, place your rental keys on your own keychain immediately.  That way they are less likely to get misplaced.  Ask for explicit directions on how to get out of the airport and navigate to your destination.  Request a map, but also write down the directions so you won't be fumbling around with an awkward map when you are supposed to be driving in a strange city.  Don't forget to ask for specific directions on how and where to return the car as well.  For security reasons, do not leave a map in your car with a marked route on it.
9. HOTEL SECURITY.  If you don't like where your room is, ask to be moved.  Secure your room by taking along a portable doorstop (found at any local hardware store), and always look out the peephole before opening the door, even if you're not expecting anyone to be outside.  Make sure you've shut your door securely behind you and lock it when you return to your room.  Never let anyone in your room you didn't expect.  Always call the hotel front desk to confirm a maintenance worker.  If you return to your hotel late at night and you are alone, go to the front desk and ask that security walk you to your room.  For peace of mind when traveling alone, choose national hotel chains with interior room entrances.  Do not use room service breakfast door hangers because these forms ask for the number of guest(s).  You don't want strangers to know that you are alone.
10. FIRE ALARMS.  Notice where the stairs are.  Keep a pair of shoes near the bed.  You never think you will be the one to evacuate until the night the smoke detector goes off at 4 a.m., thanks to another guest's shower creating enough steam to sound the alarm.  Also consider packing a small flashlight that you can leave next to the bed in case of emergencies/sudden loss of power. 
11. AT YOUR DESTINATION.  When you are alone, particularly at night, walk with the crowd and act as if you belong.  Look and act confident of your surroundings.  Criminals tend to look for easy targets, so don't make it easy for them—make it look like you are at home.  Get directions ahead of time and know your destination.  If you are unsure of your location, act like you know where you are headed and get directions at a gas station, restaurant, etc.  Be aware of your surroundings (people, cars, doorways, stairwells, etc.).  If you are traveling by cab, do not accept a ride from an unlicensed taxi driver.  Alternatively, check out whether the hotel offers a shuttle that will take you to your destination.

To sum up, the bottom line when traveling, especially in a unfamiliar place, is to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.  While there may be safety in numbers, there is also safety in knowledge.  Therefore, with a little advance planning your business trip can be safe, hassle-free, and enjoyable.