From
the NALS Foundation
by Gail Wolfe
“Summertime
and the living is easy,” or so the song says. But
summertime can mean traveling and sometimes traveling
can be anything but easy. So if you are getting
ready for a summer trip whether it be for fun or maybe
to a regional meeting (or maybe not a summer trip, but
a trip in the fall to Reno), here are a few tips to help
make the traveling a little easier.
If
you are traveling by air remember:
- To
give yourself plenty of time to get through the screening
check point.
- Wear
clothing, jewelry or shoes that contain no metal (and
shoes should not have thick soles or heels). A
slip on shoe is easier than a tie shoe if you are required
to remove your shoes before screening.
- Be
ready to place the following items in your carry-on
baggage or in a plastic bag prior to entering the screening
checkpoint: mobile phones, keys, loose change, money,
PDA's (personal data assistants), large amounts of
jewelry, metal hair decorations, and large belt buckles.
- Take
your laptop and video cameras with cassettes out of
their cases and place them in a bin provided at the
checkpoint, and take off all outer coats, suit coats,
jackets and blazers.
Here
are some general tips if traveling by car:
- Use
a highlighter to mark your route on a map. Circle interchanges
where you'll be changing roads or directions.
- Allow
for rest stops on long drives. Plan on at least a 10-minute
break every two hours. You'll drive safer and arrive
much more refreshed.
- Pack
an emergency kit in your car. Include motion sickness
medication if anyone in your group suffers from it.
Remove any items from the car that you won't need on
your trip.
- Prepare
some on road entertainment for your trip. Include games
and CDs of music and/or audio books.
- Get
your car cleaned. You'll feel better in a clean car.
What
about some packing tips?
- Don't
over pack your bags.
- Roll
up T-shirts or underwear and wrap your items around
them at a fold line. This will help keep a crease from
forming.
- Take
the proper size luggage for your trip. Too big a bag
will allow your items to move around and make damage
and wrinkles more likely.
- Button
the buttons on shirts so items will hang properly.
- Use
plastic dry cleaner bags between items. Make sure the
dry cleaner bags do not have any advertising printed
on them. The ink can rub off and end up on your clothes.
- Unpack
as soon as possible.
For
more tips to make your travel safer and “easier,” check
out the following websites:
http://www.roomsaver.com/resources.php?car_travel_tips
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183
http://www.freetraveltips.com/Packing/pack01.htm#05
