Eating healthy while traveling all the time is something that many road warriors struggle with. The long hours, few choices, and temptations can leave even the best-intentioned eating badly. We can all use a little help!!  Here are a few strategies you can use to make it easier to make good choices. (Pictured: Grilled Salmon With Avocado Dip, posted to All Recipes by Diane)

• Eat before you go. Don’t get on a plane or leave for the office without eating. It’s too tempting to grab a donut or sugary cereal if your stomach is growling.
• Plan ahead. Look at your schedule, and try to figure out ahead of time when you can eat. Make sure not to have too much time between meals, because if you don’t eat your blood sugar will drop, you may feel cranky or tired, and your productivity my suffer.
• Determine ahead of time where you will eat. This isn’t always possible, but if you are familiar with the area you are traveling to you can check out the menu of your chosen restaurant online. This helps me a lot–if I already have planned what to get, I am less likely to eat unhealthy foods.
• Bring snacks. Almonds, a granola bar, fruit–anything that is easy to pack and can go through security will feed your hunger in a pinch. Here is a longer list of snacks that are travel-friendly.
• Drink water.  We all know this, but so often when you think you are hungry you are really just thirsty. Stay hydrated and you will feel better on so many levels.

My way of healthy eating tends towards low-carb, so I love this page from the Atkins website. Regardless of which foods make you feel healthy and productive, these tips can keep you on the right track. Is it difficult to eat well on the road? Sometimes, but it’s never impossible.

Another day, another interesting travel story.

According to MSNBC Travel, Continental is going to start using “self-boarding” at some gates in Houston as a type of pilot program. The way it works is that there is a type of turnstile at the gate  that can read your ticket and then open and let you through to the jetbridge.  I’m envisioning something like what the MTA uses for the NYC subways, although who knows what it will look like. Honestly, it sounds totally fine to me. I’m not worried about security–the checkpoints won’t change. I’m not that concerned about the technology working–I’m sure there will be a gate agent nearby to assist with any issues. Do I think the airlines will see a substantial cost savings that they will then pass on to their customers by getting rid of the ticket agent at the door? Uh no.  The article says that this will help people board faster, but I don’t see how. One thing that could be a problem–what about when they are boarding the priority passengers and that one guy who’s not listening and is in group 6 tries to board? Maybe the turnstile just won’t open?

My interest in this article doesn’t really come from the substance. I am actually very interested to see how this experiment turns out.  What I found really interesting were the insane quotes used. First, the “against” side:

Isaac Yeffet, former director of security for El Al Airlines, thinks self-boarding is a bad idea. “It’s not a secret that the United States of America is the biggest target for terrorist organizations, especially al-Qaida,” Yeffet told msnbc.

“Instead of moving forward in security … we prefer to go backward” because we don’t want to inconvenience passengers, Yeffet said, adding that airline security is “an illusion.”

First of all, you still have to go through airport security. That doesn’t change. Self-boarding has nothing whatsoever to do with security.  Airline security is an illusion? Target for terrorists? Way to be scary but not add anything to the dialogue. Do you really think the person scanning your ticket is looking at your name? And the “pro” side quote isn’t any better.

“It’s a great idea,” aviation analyst Michael Boyd told USA Today. “Any reduction in human contact between employee and customer is good these days.”

“As long as you have someone to tell grandma where to stick the paper,” he added, “you’re fine.”

I think this guy is crazy. Either that, or it’s an incomplete quote. Who really thinks that a reduction in human to customer contact is a good thing? Has he never been stuck in automated system hell when he’s called the phone company?

What do you guys think about this? The self boarding, or the ridiculous quotes?

I recently read this article from USA Today on travel etiquette. I am all for etiquette, as is evidenced by the many posts I write about it. I think everyone should be cognizant of the fact that they are not the only traveler on the road, and act accordingly. However, this article quoted several people saying that reclining your seat on a plane is rude. I have never thought of it as rude. It’s something that you are allowed to do to make your seat more comfortable. Yes, if someone in front of you reclines their seat it cuts into your space some, but then you recline your seat and gain that space back. It’s not like someone is putting their feet onto your lap–this is space that the airlines have given to each person, not just a select few.

So. My opinion is that it is not rude. What do you think?

I am flying to Chicago in a few weeks to see my sisters, and today as I tried to redeem miles for a ticket I made an unhappy discovery. In the last two months (since the last time I redeemed miles for a ticket) American has started charging for awards. $20 if you are outside of three weeks from travel, $50 if you are within three weeks, and $150 if you are within 6 days! This seems extreme to me. Just another way for airlines to nickel and dime us. I would almost rather have fewer inexpensive award seats available (12.5k mile seats on American) than pay up to $150 for a ticket. When did they start doing this?  I have heard of other airlines charging for award tickets, but I thought Elite passengers were exempt. Now I’m very frustrated and wishing I could fly Southwest more. Of course, they have way fewer award seats then they used to as well…..

The best way to get through security quickly is by planning ahead. One major part of this is packing neatly. For some, this is a no brainer. My sisters both have different packing styles (one is a minimalist, one packs everything in site) but their suitcases are incredibly tidy, and they can both lay hands on anything in there in seconds. For me (the messy sister) it has taken years of practice. It’s so easy just to throw everything in! It may not fit as well, but packing goes so much more quickly. Of course, once I arrive and I’m looking for my jewelry case or a specific top it is not quite as fast. And, although it doesn’t happen often, what if I get stopped in security? One time I had to be rerouted on a different airline, and that apparently put me on some type of security watch list for the trip. Every time I went through security all of my bags, and my person, were searched. I was even pulled out of line while waiting to board the plane and searched. I remember being so grateful that I had put everything in my suitcase in an orderly fashion, not just throwing my dirty clothes in randomly.

In addition to helping you know where each of your things is, packing neatly can help you during all stages of the security process: you know where your stuff is so you can easily and quickly pull out your laptop and liquids bag; if TSA needs to look in your bag it is faster and easier for them to search; and when you are done, if the things you took out have a designated place, you can return them efficiently.

So take that extra ten minutes while you’re packing and make sure everything is neatly in its place! I promise it is worth it, and even people like me (the messy sisters) can get it down to a routine so it’s quick and easy.

Recently I got a very specific question from a reader.

“I don’t fly often, and this summer I am going on vacation to New York. Obviously I need my makeup–can I bring my concealer with me on the plane, or do I need to pack it in my checked suitcase?”

I understand a girl wanting to have her makeup with her!! The answer is yes, you can bring your concealer with you on the plane. It just needs to go in your liquids bag for the security line. Once you are through, feel free to put it with the rest of your makeup if you want.

What exactly is considered a liquid? Concealer is one of those gray areas. It often comes in a pot, but if it melted it would be liquid. Therefore it is just safer  to go ahead and put it in your liquids bag and save yourself the trouble of being hassled by TSA.

Remember, anything that is clearly liquid (mascara, foundation) needs to go in your liquids bag for security. Even some things that you may not consider a liquid, such as lipstick, may need to go in your liquids bag if TSA tells you so. Anything that is powder is fine in your regular makeup bag.

Have a great time in New York!!

Yesterday I was researching a blog post I am doing for Via-Her, and I kept getting distracted. Not that surprising, really, since the post was about laptop bags and purses, and many adorable ones abound. One of the examples I found of a great laptop bag is this beautiful yellow one from Kate Spade. It is roomy, has plenty of interior pockets, and the lining makes me SO happy. My main problem with it is that the interior is not divided, but it’s so cute I’m having a hard time remembering that. So if you are in the market for a new bag and you don’t need a divided interior, think about this one! I know I am…..

Last week I was in Newark, New York, and Philadelphia. Because of the events that I did, I had to bring my suitcase, a backpack, and my purse. One the way up I did check my bags (which felt super weird, actually. I kept looking around wondering why I felt so light and free), but because I had freed up some space on the way home I was not checking. Flying out of Philadelphia, my plan was to get through security, get lunch, and then put my purse in my backpack for the flights home.

Except when I was going through security, the TSA agent yelled at me and said I could only take two bags through security. I politely told her that I was going to condense when I got through, but that it was easier  for me if I had my purse out for a little while longer. You know, access to my wallet with my ID in it, etc. But no. She was not very nice about it either. And there was NO ONE in line in front of me, but as soon as I moved aside to condense my stuff about ten people came through.

I am very sure that I read somewhere that TSA can’t tell you how many bags to bring through security, but I can’t find that now. Does anyone have a reference somewhere? It just seems insane to me that they care if I put my purse in my backpack now or later.  Doesn’t that make it more difficult to screen?

This is a new semi-regular feature here on Road Warriorette. Briggs & Riley is one of the premier luggage brands, with a collection for every life style from the casual traveler to the business travel elite.

Packing Tip from Richard Krulik (CEO, Briggs & Riley)

Bans bulk and sticks with a central color scheme

Be careful not to over fold, it’s what bulks things up, taking up unnecessary space.  I spread things out as widely as I can, laying my slacks on the bottom of the luggage with the “legs” hanging over the sides.  I pack on top of the slacks and then fold the part that’s hanging outside back in – it makes a nice gentle fold instead of a hard crease in the legs.  It saves space and prevents wrinkles at the same time. With sweaters, I take thin cashmere instead of cable knit.  I’ll limit the variation of colors to bring only two pairs of black shoes, which I alternate wearing.

When I did my guest post on Corporette a few days ago, I included a packing list. One of the big questions I got was: “Where’s the suit?” I know that while many of us are lucky enough to wear business casual when we travel, there are still many women who have to wear suits. So I “tortured” myself by looking at the Nordstrom website until I found a suit that I like, that I think is good for travel.

This Tailor suit from Theory is made out of a combination of wool and Lycra, which  means it will look good,  move with you, and resist wrinkles. It comes in a variety of colors, but of course the gray is my favorite. There are pants, a skirt, and a jacket, and if you get it in black there is even a dress. Everything you need to have different looks without bringing tons of stuff. Win!