Learning to Travel
One of the best things you can do for your personal and professional development is learning to travel. Fortunately, I was given the opportunities to travel early in my career as a faculty member. I joined an established hallway of professionals who had added great service to the profession by attending, speaking, and serving at state and national conferences. This meant I was strongly encouraged (volun-told) to attend, learn, network, present, judge, moderate, and run for office. I learned so many skills throughout these adventures.
I didn’t fly much as a kid so I was literally learning on the fly. Working on my master’s degree at the time also had me flying from Little Rock to Dallas - a great beginner flight. I’ll never forget the night in Dallas when my flight was completely cancelled, and this was before the days of getting a text message alert. Not having a clue what to do, I’m guessing it was written all over my face because a precious lady grabbed my hand and taught me to rush to the flight screen and the next gate to get our names on a standby list. She even fed me airport Applebees while we waited. I was barely 21yo at the time and absolutely frazzled plus grateful that I failed to get her name and contact info. These days, she’d be receiving a very gracious hand written note. I’ve thought of her often and hope I can extend the same compassion to a grad student in the future.
My biggest fear was always being stuck overnight in an airport, so I also learned that if traveling alone - I wanted to lay over in a city close enough that I could drive home if necessary. Again, why I always pack in a carry-on, to have possession of all my belongings in case I need to jump planes, trains, or automobiles. Possibly, also my gypsyness but that’s a different blog all together.
Avoiding nights in an airport leads me to another great lesson learned on a work trip. Always look and approve your flight times if someone else is making the arrangements for you. Try to get morning flights if available because as flights get delayed or bumped - you still have a decent chance of getting home in the same day. Once, in new job, the procurement officer made my travel arrangements for a conference. The later flight was cheaper but it was delayed and I got to Atlanta airport at 11pm only barely making a flight home. I literally took off my flip flops and ran. Grocery store feet style to the gate. I’ve worn sneakers ever since. If you are traveling alone for work and responsible for your own safety - approve the travel times of your flights which should also take in consideration the times you will be ordering a car service, taxi, or walking in parking lots. Traveling during the day immediately removes a few areas of high stress.
In recent years, I’ve learned that you can take food from home on the plane. No liquids, only food. It goes easily through security. I usually slice fruit, make a wrap, or chickpea salad that easily goes in a clear container with a lid. Using clear containers removes any question of what is inside. Whatever makes getting through security easier!! Bananas and protein bars are always in my backpack. My stomach isn’t always ready for food early in the morning yet I need something more that packaged snacks. Taking my own food for longer flights is a game changer.
PSA - choose foods that are odorless, not messy, and don’t cause a scene.
