Does your work travel schedule have you landing in NY on
Tuesday, stopping by Chicago on Wednesday, and circling back through St. Louis
on Thursday only to end up at a meeting in Seattle by Friday morning? Avoid
travel whiplash and maybe even relax (a little) on your next trip by following
these business travel tips from the experts at Business Insider.
Pre-pack a Travel Bag
If you travel often, save all the time you spend packing
toiletries into TSA-approved mini containers by keeping a travel bag packed at
all times. Packing will be a breeze when you can just grab your bag and go.
Pack Comfort Clothes
You may think you don’t want a pair of tennis shoes and
sweatpants, but pack them anyway. This is something that you will not regret,
and you’ll be patting yourself on the back when you get home from a stressful
day of meetings and just want to walk around outside in a shoe without a heel
or polished toe.
Stop, Fold, and Roll
Everyone has their own approach to maximizing space while
packing. A great way to maximize space for clothes is to fold shirts and pants
neatly and then roll remaining clothes to fill in the corners of your bag.
Skip Bag Check
If you’re headed out on a shorter trip, try to pack lightly
enough to fit everything you need into carry-on bags. This will save you time
during departure and arrival, and you’ll also avoid any potential lost bag
stress.
Buy Checkpoint-Friendly Bags
Consider investing in a carry-on bag that is specifically
designed so you can keep laptops and other electronics in your bag when you go
through security checkpoints. It may only save a couple minutes, but you’ll be
thankful that you won’t have to pack and unpack your bags while you put your
shoes back on and try to find your belt.
Take an In-Flight Breather
Though it may be tempting to squeeze in that last bit of
work during your plane ride, consider using that time to disconnect and unwind.
Whether you prefer to read, watch a movie, or just take a nap, down time before
a stressful, high-energy business situation may do you more good than you
realize.
Cash in on Pre-Check and Frequent Flyer Programs
Most airlines offer some sort of frequent traveler program
that gives you access to more amenities, shorter wait times, and overall less
inconveniences. Sign up for pre-check whenever you have the option, and
security checkpoints will be a breeze. If you consistently travel with one
airline, it may pay off to check into their rewards programs as well.
Keep important documents at hand
Stack your passport, ID, and any other important documents
together and keep them together as much as possible, especially at the airport.
You may think you will remember that you stuck your passport into your back
pocket, and that your ID is in that one pocket in your other jacket, but
you probably won't. Keeping everything in the same place will save you a major
headache later.