Hello everyone! Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. My actual Thanksgiving Day was just fine, but the most exciting thing that happened was that my nephew was born!! Home Warrior’s brother and his wife had a little baby boy on Wednesday night. He is a big boy! 8 lbs 11 oz, 21 3/4 in long at birth. He is very handsome and sweet, just like all of the men in his family. We’ve already been over to see him several times, and I have gotten to hold him a lot. I let Home Warrior hold him for a few minutes on Friday, but didn’t think he was appreciating it as much as he should so I took him back. We are so lucky to get this new addition to our family!

Did anyone travel over the holiday? How did it go? Long lines? Lots of opting out or not much? Give us the details in the comments section!!

No one in my immediate family did any plane traveling, it was all by car. My mother-in-law said that traffic wasn’t too bad on Wednesday, but when my father-in-law drove up on Thursday he said there was a lot of traffic. Which is the reverse of my past experience….

By now, there is probably no way you haven’t heard the furor surrounding TSA right now. It is all over the national and local news, the blogs and message boards, and anywhere else travel is discussed. There are a ton of hilarious Youtube videos out there (my favorite: If you touch my junk I’ll have you arrested). I have gotten emails and comments from readers about it. But for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, here is the summary.

Many airports now have full body scanning machines, aka the “strip-search scan” or “nudie-scan”, which they use during the security screening. Not all airports have them, and in the airports that do have them, not all passengers are screened in this way. The passengers that are selected to go through these machines, as opposed to the metal detectors, have the option to refuse. But if you do that, you get the new, “enhanced” pat down–”a hand-sliding pat-down that can include feeling a person’s inner thighs and buttocks,” according to MSNBC.

I have gone through the nudie-scopes, but have not had the pleasure of the enhanced pat down. This new procedure was implemented in October, but I didn’t realize how invasive it is until last week. Honestly, at first I thought everyone was freaking out about nothing. Until I read the news reports. The new style of pat down calls for agents to use the front or back of their hands and fingers to touch and press chest and groin areas of passengers, including the inside of a passenger’s legs to the thighs. And if you’re wearing a skirt or dress that won’t allow for full access, you could be asked to remove it in a private area for screening. Geez.

The email I got yesterday from a reader asks for my thoughts.

What your opinions of the new TSA policies? I am a bit put off by both the idea of the “strip-search” machine, and the “enhanced” pat downs. Have you experienced either?

My main concern with the two comes from being separated from my belongings, namely, my wallet. Have you any suggestions on how to keep my belongings completely safe? They say never to allow your items out of sight, but you know that doesn’t always work out. This whole fear of having my belongings lost or stolen is making me never want to fly again.

This is a two part question, and both parts are very valid. I am actually going to take the second part first. If you go through the full body scanner, you are only separated visually from your belongings for about thirty seconds. This is probably the same thirty seconds that your stuff is going through the scanner. Once you are through the machine, you are typically in a roped in area for a minute or so until the TSA agent lets you past. In all of the airports I have seen, you have visual contact with your stuff from this point on. So honestly, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I also wouldn’t travel with incredibly valuable objects if you can avoid it, but I travel with my laptop and wallet every week and I have never had anything happen.

As far as the beginning of your email, I have a lot of thoughts and opinions. First of all, because I travel for work, I basically have no choice but to go through the full body scanner. Do I want to? No. Does it make me feel a little self conscious to know that someone is looking at an image of me? Yes. Am I going to pitch a fit about it? No, because my goal while traveling is to be as efficient as possible. When you spend as much time as I do in airports, you want to streamline the whole process in any way you can.

If I didn’t have to travel as part of my job, the whole situation would make me think twice about flying. Absolutely. But in the end, if I want to go on vacation, see my sisters, or do something else fun, a little discomfort is worth it to me. I do think these full body, open hand pat downs are extreme, and very likely unnecessary. If I had children, I would definitely be concerned, as they are not exempt from the screening.

For the people who are trying to boycott them, or participate in National Opt-Out Day tomorrow, I totally get it. Maybe it will catch someone’s attention and get some changes made. I’m not traveling for Thanksgiving, but next week I am going to Pensacola, and they do have the full body scanners there. I will be very interested in seeing how people are reacting to the whole situation.

And for another perspective, check out this post from our friend Flying With Fish about how this new policy is breaking down morale for TSA agents.

Readers, what do you think? Is it a violation of civil rights, or just a nuisance? The TSA keeps quoting studies that show that 80% of Americans are okay with enhanced screening techniques. Is that your experience?

Ah, winter. It’s cold outside and all I want to do is snuggle with a blanket inside! Everything I want to wear right now is warm and cuddly, and the sweater dress is the cuddliest of all. My favorite outfit right now is my gray Talbots sweater dress with black tights and my wine-colored suede boots. Doesn’t it make you feel warm and fuzzy just thinking about it? There are sweater dresses all over the place, at many different price points. Plus they travel well and tend to be very comfortable for sitting in meetings all day. Note: When shopping for one, make sure you take a look at your rear view–they can be kinda clingy back there.

Old Navy has a bunch of sweater dresses right now. Solids, stripes, and argyle are all available for less than $40. They are a decent length, and the fun colors add a bright pop of color to the otherwise dreary winter months.

This London Times sweater dress from Overstock is adorable. The cowl neck, three-quarter sleeves, and pockets add interest without distracting from the traditional line.

If you are looking for a more tailored option, this belted sweater dress from Talbots will fit the bill. The button front and belt say traditional office dress, but the sweater material makes it so cozy for winter. I love the wine color, called “Cassis”.

Editor’s Note: Based on Sarah Cool’s comment below, and the furor erupting over the new style of pat-down, I have changed my recommendation. Absolutely wear a dress while on a trip, but wear pants at the airport. Every time, just in case. I will comment on this more next week.

According to MSNBC, the lucky passengers that fly Delta, AirTran, and Virgin America over the holidays will get free in-flight Wifi. The airlines have partnered with Google Chrome to offer free Gogo Wi-fi from November 20 until January 2. I think this is a great thing, and really hope people take advantage. I personally have never used the internet while flying. I know I’m supposed to be addicted to it–I’m young, I’m a blogger, I’m a workaholic….. For me, though, flying has always been a place where no one can get ahold of me. We’ll see, though. If they gave it to me for free I may not be able to say no…..

Business Travel 101 is a weekly series about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. Packing, security, comfort, and etiquette are all factors that, with a little planning, can contribute to a smooth and efficient trip. If you think of a topic I should include, email me at RoadWarriorette@gmail.com.

Travel is a fact of life for many of us, and heading to the office right after a flight often an unfortunate necessity. There are things you can do to avoid the travel-worn look so many road warriors have. Tricks abound for both short and long flights. Obviously, for a red-eye or other long flight the strategy is a little more intense. But don’t worry! No one has to know you got up at 4am or that you commuted six hours for your meeting.

For all flights:

• Wear comfortable, wrinkle resistant clothes. The easiest way to look good during and after travel: clothes that don’t wrinkle.  Nothing says, “I just got off a plane,” like a crumpled shirt and creased skirt.  There are plenty of wrinkle-resistant, non-iron clothes out there.  TravelSmith has a great collection, as does Brooks Brothers. Trust me, this is not the time to wear your new linen suit, no matter how cute and professional it is.
• Stay hydrated. This is important for comfort, health, and looking good. Drink at least 8 oz of water for every hour you are flying. This will keep you from getting dehydrated, which in turn keeps you feeling more alert and prevents your skin from feeling like sandpaper.
• Freshen up upon arrival. Once you land, head to the ladies’ room to repair any damage that may have occurred to hair or makeup during the flight.

For longer flights:

• Put your hair back. If you have long hair, keep your hair in a low ponytail. This keeps your hair controlled, gets it out of your way, and minimizes the crimp that can happen when you have a higher ponytail. It also allows you to comfortably rest your head against the seat. Another good option is a braid.
• Moisturize!! Use lip balm and hand lotion often.  There are also great face sprays that you can use to keep your skin hydrated. I like the Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist.
• Get some rest. Use an eye mask and earplugs if necessary, or even a Tylenol PM, so that you wake up feeling (and looking) refreshed.
• Avoid mascara. This doesn’t work for everyone, but if you feel comfortable going without mascara for the flight I highly recommend it. It’s an easy way to avoid the raccoon look on a red-eye. Or, you can…..
• Do your morning routine. Wash your face, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and refresh your makeup before landing. Once you wake up, nothing feels better or more eye-opening than washing your face. It helps get rid of the travel grime, and gives you a fresh canvas for applying makeup. I like to use face cleansing pads like these from Korres. For brushing your teeth, you can use your normal toothbrush or one of those new disposable ones. Finally, going through an airplane friendly (possibly slightly abbreviated) makeup routine will make you look your best and feel ready to take on the world, and hide the fact that you slept on a 757.
• If that’s not an option….. If you’re flying in Economy and you don’t think you can get a few minutes in the lav to freshen up, use the face cleansing pads at your seat. You can chew gum to make your mouth feel fresh, and probably even apply minimal makeup.
• Put on fresh clothes. Some people like to wear something very comfortable for sleeping on the plane, and then change into their business outfit for the day immediately before arriving. It’s definitely one way to avoid the wrinkles you get when sleeping in your clothes, but may not be feasible for everyone.

In my post last week about traveling when you don’t feel good, I promised to talk about why I don’t fly or go to work when I’m sick. Here is that story.

In my first job out of college, I was working in sales for a large corporation. I was very excited to put my business degree to use, not to mention getting a real paycheck. My first two weeks at work were spent in training. The afternoon of my first day of training, I started feeling a little too warm. By that night, I had a fever around 102, along with chills and a sore throat. But I was determined to not mess up my first job, and so I drugged myself the next morning and went to work. I did not miss a single day of training, although I certainly didn’t retain a lot of what I learned that week. By the end of the week I was feeling much better, and was back to normal by the next Monday.

However, I ended up getting about half of the rest of the class sick, including the instructor. One person got so sick that she had to go to the ER to get fluids. And the instructor had to miss a day of work because he was so sick. I felt so bad! But by the time I realized what had happened the damage was already done.

I know that I am lucky, because if I were to wake up tomorrow and have the flu, I could call my corporate travel department and cancel my flights and not have any personal consequences. Not everyone that travels for work has this option. As one of the comments last week said, “The problem today with being sick is the airlines don’t care – if you choose not to board a flight, then you will pay the re-booking penalty.” It would be awesome if airlines would make allowances for illness, especially because it benefits them when you don’t get their flight crew sick. Maybe one day we will see that.

As for that instructor, I still see him at industry events occasionally. He still calls me Typhoid Mary, and still tells that story to people. So not only does he call me that, but random people who I meet that know him will say, “Oh, you’re THAT girl!” Sigh.

Business Travel 101 is a weekly series about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. Packing, security, comfort, and etiquette are all factors that, with a little planning, can contribute to a smooth and efficient trip. If you think of a topic I should include, email me at RoadWarriorette@gmail.com.

When you spend a large part of your life on the road, it is inevitable that some of that time you will not feel your best. Whether it’s a headache, sinus infection, allergies, pregnancy, or something else, we all have to travel when we feel bad. I have flown with allergies, a sinus infection, headaches, ear infections, cramps, a broken foot, food poisoning, and, most recently, a reaction to a flu shot. While business travel is not always fun, it is even less fun when you’re not in top form. It is so important to take care of yourself during these times that you can work as efficiently as you are able while not making yourself more miserable than you already are.

And a caveat: if you are contagious in any way, PLEASE DO NOT FLY!! I know that your meeting/convention/training/trial/whatever is very important, but getting a plane full of people as sick as you is not the answer. Check back on Monday for my story about how I learned that lesson. They still call me Typhoid Mary at my old job…..

• Hydrate. Drinking sufficient water is even more important when you don’t feel good. My pharmacist told me when I’m feeling bad to drink enough ounces of water to equal half of my body weight. So for example, if you way 150lbs, you should drink no less than 75 oz of water.
• Emergen-C, Emergen-C, Emergen-C. If I am feeling under the weather at all, in any way, I start taking the Emergen-C. Obviously if you have issues with Vitamin C then this is not for you. But for the rest of us, it could give you what you need to feel better. As a bonus, it also gives you energy. I take it every day anyway, but I will double up when I’m feeling bad.
• OTC/prescription meds. Make sure you have whatever medicines you need with you. For this trip, I have ibuprofen. When I had my ear infection, I also had Afrin and the antibiotics the doctor gave me. If you forget, you can purchase many things on-location, but not everything.
• Be comfortable. Take anything that will make your flight more comfortable. Even though I don’t usually bring a pillow on domestic flights, when I’m not feeling my best I will bring my Bucky so I can rest more comfortably. I also bring a larger pashmina than normal to use as a blanket.
• Wear/bring comfy clothing. All clothing that you travel in should be comfortable, and that is even more important when you feel bad. My super-comfort clothing is all very soft, with usually one layer being tunic length. For some reason wearing a longer shirt or sweater makes me feel cozy and taken care of.
• Go easy on yourself. I know that I am usually the “Get out and see the city!” girl. But when you don’t feel good, feel free to stay in your room, order room service, and watch Grey’s Anatomy.
• Give yourself extra time. When you are moving slowly, it gives you a little peace of mind to know that you have extra time to get places.  Just ten extra minutes at the airport, leaving five minutes early for the office, can give you the time you want to move as slowly as you need to.
• Treat yourself, just a little. If you normally drink Diet Coke but getting a real Coke will make you feel a little bit indulgent, do it. For me, getting a big cup of Earl Gray while in the cold, cold airport comforts and warms me.

I know, travel hairdryers aren’t the most exciting thing to talk about. And if you’re staying in a halfway decent hotel, you should have one as an amenity right? But if you want consistency with your hairdryer, your budget doesn’t run to halfway decent hotels, or you just like to be prepared, this vintage-look hairdryer from Urban Outfitters is for you. Not only is it adorable, it’s tiny, comes with a case, and is extremely affordable. I first found it on The Frisky, where they called it “Betty Draper’s Hairdryer.” What’s not to love?

Andi is a travel lover, foodie, writer, and Francophile who writes the fabulous blog Misadventures  With Andi.

6:17, slam!

6:36, slam!

7:12, slam!

You get the picture. That was how my day started this morning in the hotel I am staying in while attending a business conference.

I am pretty sure that most people’s parents taught them not to slam doors in the house. Why should a hotel door be any different? I understand that these doors are quite often rather heavy, all the more reason to allow it to close gently.

While traveling you are in a shared environment, temporarily borrowing the space that you occupy whether that is the plane seat, the restaurant booth, and yes, the hotel room.

The Golden Rule applies here as well. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

No one appreciates constant door slamming, especially if they do not have to get up until 8:00 for their conference!

I spend a lot of time talking about the awesomeness of pashminas, so I decided that I would dedicate my post today to them. The many uses for these amazing scarf/blanket hybrids include as a scarf or blanket (of course), shawl, wrap, pillow, sarong, swimsuit cover up, nursing cover up….. the list goes on and on. There are some great tutorials all over the web if you’re ever not sure how to wear a pashmina (once you’re done using it as a blanket on the plane). I always feel so inspired to practice new ways of wearing mine after looking at these sites!

Affordable Scarves has a ton of varieties, colors, and budget friendly prices.

For a pashmina made out of, well, pashmina, check out The Pashmina Store. Soft, natural fibers, and still very affordable.

And of course, if you want something very high end, Nordstrom is the place to go. They have several lovely cashmere varieties, as well as designer versions.