By: Robyn Crimmins & VSP Contributors Denise Capretta, Stacey Curcio, Glenna Glenn, Suzie MacKenzie, Miriam McGorrin, Nancy Roellke, and Tracy Smith
(Keywords: Organization)
Many of the women of the OWA are savvy business travelers. I learn a tip or trick from my fellow female colleagues every time I'm on the road with one of them! I recently asked some of these road warriors to share their best travel tips and here's what they had to say:
Pack Smart
- Choose a color theme for the week to maximize space by carrying shoes, accessories, and handbags that go with multiple outfits.
- Fold and then neatly roll your clothes for fewer wrinkles and more storage space.
- Invest in a crazy luggage tag that stands out in the world of black rolling cases, so you can easily spot yours.
- Keep a second set (travel size for short trips) of your go-to toiletries — one less item to worry about packing.
- Pack empty Ziploc bags in your suitcase. They come in handy for wet items, liquids, medications, etc.
- Bring your own charging strip. It will prevent you from leaving any chargers in hotel or meeting rooms.
- Have a photocopy of your passport in a bag other than your purse or where you keep the original. In case you lose it while traveling, at least you'll have some form of identification with you.
Ace Security
- Get TSA Pre-Check! It's a game changer.
- If you don't have Pre-Check, keep a pair of socks in your purse for when you take off your shoes. Put your shoes on the conveyor last. You won't walk away without them and chances are, if you put them last, you won't forget any of the items that come through on the conveyor before them.
- Wash your hands at your earliest opportunity after Security. Experts say the bins are some of the dirtiest surfaces you'll encounter.
Hotel Comfort
- Carry a pack of disinfectant wipes to wipe down the remote control, light switches, door knobs, drawer handles, mini fridge handle, and faucets. On the plane, wipe down the tray table and armrests.
- Bring a nightlight for the bathroom outlet so you don't have to turn the light on in the middle of the night.
- Use the hotel hangers with pant clips to clip the drapes closed tight. No sunlight's coming through that crack! (Be sure to set your iPhone alarm so you don't sleep through that important meeting!)
Loyalty Counts
- Fly with the same airline carrier to maximize your miles. Use travel points for future trips or for club access where you can get something to eat or drink for free and it's quick! Also, with Rewards programs checked luggage is free many times up to three bags and typically there is no weight limit up to 70 lbs. Priority boarding and upgrades are nice as well!
- Make sure your preferred airline carrier, hotel chain and car rental agency are aligned so you can rack up additional miles, points, and rewards for all!
Fellow Travelers
- Invest in noise-cancelling headphones. Even if you don't listen to anything, there's something soothing about the quiet they provide. A bonus, they will deter the chatty vacation traveler.
- Beware the mindless traveler wearing a giant backpack or the one who pulls the too-heavy carry-on out of the overhead bin too fast! They will knock you out!
- Remember, we're all simply trying to get there safely.
Safe travels, women of the OWA!
Robyn Crimmins is Division Vice President, Ophthalmic West, VSP Optics, and Vice President of the OWA. You can reach her at
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Inspirational Quote
"Travel isn't always pretty. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."
Anthony Bourdain
