Practical travel information for practical travelers
I spend an inordinate amount of times in airports. Some weeks it’s near daily. I have my favorites (Portland, San Jose, Vancouver BC) and those that I’d just as soon avoid (Atlanta, LAX, San Francisco). For most travelers, airports are a hot mess of crowds, frustration, and stress. I see it as an office environment. [...]
Spring break might be over for some kids, but there are still a lot of families traveling on the planes. I’m not sure if parents are taking the kids out of school, home schooling, or if perhaps there are schools with a really late spring break. Most of the families seem to be having a [...]
If you travel places known for outstanding food and wine, you’ve most likely been left figuring out a way to take some of your new favorites. Most often this doesn’t present a problem – unless your new favorite is wine, olive oil, specialty vinegars, or other liquid items. In the post 9-11 world, these delicious [...]
With meals on flights either non-existent, expensive, and often unhealthy, and airport food not too much better, one way to make your vacation a little more pleasant is to pack some food to take along on your flight. Or road trip. If you’re flying you’ll still have to avoid liquids and gels (get those once [...]
Today I have an important guest post that will be of importance to anyone who suffers from ear discomfort while flying. I’m a sufferer, as a result of allergy and sinus-related issues, so have to take a lot of precautions when I travel. And that includes not flying when my ears get too bad! —- [...]
Backpacks, once the “luggage” of choice for college-aged travelers, have become mainstream, with travelers of all ages preferring to travel light, with everything they need literally on their back. It’s simple, avoids checked bag fees and waiting time, and forces travelers to pack light. When carrying a backpack onto an airplane, however, there are inherent [...]
I’ve used many a Lonely Planet Guide when researching travel, so when they offered to send me the new edition of their Travel With Children, I was eager to give it a read. While a non-parent myself, I’ve had occasion to travel with some small fry, and after working for 20+ years as a Flight [...]
The Visa Waiver Program has been around for over 20 years, although it has reached greater awareness and prominence in the post-911 era of travel. The program has been modified over the years, with additional countries added to the list and an electronic travel component added, but the underlying purpose of the plan remains the [...]
We’ll just consider this a little shameless self-promotion! Earlier today I was interviewed by Addison Schonland from IAG (Innovation Analysis Group), an airline industry consulting company. Addison and I talked about what it was like to travel these days, managing airport security and the TSA, dealing with potential confrontational situations on the airplane, and ways [...]
In addition to traveling, Mary Jo likes lingering over a cup of coffee, wandering in a museum, sipping wine at a cafe, enjoying a relaxing massage, and sharing it all with friends and readers.
Her most recent travels were to Portugal and Italy.
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