Podcast #11 – Business Dress Codes; Kinder, Gentler TSA?

August 18th, 2005

Swinging through the West Coast, I recorded this podcast in the bathroom of the Orchard Hotel a block or two from the summit of Nob Hill in San Francisco. In this podcast, we talk about how the post-9/11 reduction in carry-ons has made packing for different business dress codes a real hassle. Is there an end to the “shoe carnival”? Recent news articles and a discussion with a TSA supervisor in Tampa suggest that a small bit of common sense may have infiltrated the TSA. And finally, a “potpourri” category — collected odds-’n'-ends from discussion topics on the web site. Here’s a direct link to the podcast file.

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Here are the show notes from TravelCommons podcast #11:

Intro music — Warmth by Makkina

Recorded in the bathroom of the Orchard Hotel in San Francisco on a cold August night

Being featured in Adam Curry’s Podfinder podcast doubled the number of TravelCommons subscribers in a week

Having to dress in business formal and business casual in the same trip is a real hassle

Direct link to a Washington Postarticle says that the new TSA director is thinking about changing the current shoe screening policy

Good discussion with a reasonable TSA supervisor in Tampa

More follow-up on in-flight internet service

Direct link to a Wall Street Journal journal article (registration required) on a demo flight for Boeing’s Connexion in-flight intenet service

Following up on “Hacking the Hotel Room” from podcast #10, the new class of pocket wifi routers can provide a more secure hotel internet connection

Feedback at comments[at]travelcommons.com, the comment board on podcastalley.com, or right here in the comments section below

Direct link to the show

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6 Responses

1. Frick Says:
   May 24th, 2006 at 2:19 pm

   How about a pole on the worst airline?
   I flew Southwest for the first time this week, (a couple of co-workers raved about this airline) I could not stand their “first one to check in gets the best seat”. I almost always arrive at the airport just before my flight so I was forced to sit in a center seat (that sucks) with no overhead bins left (that sucks) in the back of the plane (that sucks). Maybe I’m selfish or just feel entitled, but as much as I fly I think I deserve to pick my seat (window) and have a place to store my bag.
   I fly Delta most of the time, I’m not saying they are perfect, but their Sky Miles program is not to bad. Now if Delta could just stay in business or I loose a bunch of Sky Miles.
   Just my rant for the week.
   Love the show, keep up the good work.

2. mark Says:
   May 24th, 2006 at 2:19 pm

   Sounds like a very good idea for the next poll.

   Regarding Southwest, have you tried the on-line check-in approach I described in T/C #2? You can do on-line check in for any SW flight after midnight the day of the flight. I check in, even when I don’t have access to a printer. I then hit the check-in kiosk when I get to the airport and ask it to re-print my boarding pass. This approach always gets me an ‘A’, which means I’m one of the first 25 to board. I’ve never gotten anything other than an aisle seat (my preference) when I have an ‘A’.

   However, to your point, when you pay your money, you expect a seat and a bit of overhead storage space. However, the flights are getting full enough that even with Platinum status on American and Premier Exec status on United (living in Chicago, I split my flying across the two hubs), I’ll end up in a center seat if I don’t plan far enough ahead. How these guys are going bankrupt with packed planes is beyond me!

3. Frick Says:
   May 24th, 2006 at 2:19 pm

   Thanks for the tip, maybe I’ll try SW again. My one way flight was only $80.00 compared to Delta’s $200+ fee, so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much for $80.00.
   You’re right every flight is booked and in case you’re blind the stewardess will still announce over the loud speaker “This is a full flight”.
   There must have been a strategy meeting to figure out someway to go bankrupt with all the mad cash coming in from the full flights.

4. Anonymous Says:
   May 24th, 2006 at 2:20 pm

   Really enjoying the podcast (also subscribed via Podfinder’s recommendation). Older than most and now retired, your subject strikes home as I traveled internationally for a multinational for twenty years. Must tell you that I (female) once traveled for business twenty-one days in Japan, with two carryones, one on wheels, the other over my shoulder. I could barely stand the color “Navy blue” after that trip..

   Now, my daughter travels similarly for an entirely different industry, but to many of the same destinations. She’s also prides herself in traveling light!

5. Anonymous Says:
   May 24th, 2006 at 2:20 pm

   Mark,

   At our hotel we have guest leave either 1 or 2 sets of clothing at out hotel, in which we send out for dry cleaning so when the guiest comes back into town they have a spare set waitign for them. In addition, since we are so close to an airport some guest will even leave a set here and pick it up, eventhough they might be staying someplace else.

   Doug

6. Anonymous Says:
   May 24th, 2006 at 2:20 pm

   Since you were in San Francisco thought I would pass this link along….

   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/23/AR2005082300456.html