Inside T&T

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T16:22:10Z

Behavior Breeds Behavior - Lessons Learned from a Friendly TSA Agent

2012-02-09T14:47:06Z

Nancy Rissky, CTC, GLP, Vice President - Account ManagementI once heard that behavior breeds behavior - a good note to remember when traveling. It is hard for someone to be grouchy when you look at them with a smile and greet them with a warm hello. That is exactly what happened to me this morning when standing in the security line at Terminal E of Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, waiting to have someone check my ID and boarding pass so I would then have the privilege of being able to stand in another line where I would have to empty my pockets, strip down to the bare minimum, hold my hands above by head and remain perfectly still.

The friendly TSA gentleman greeted me with a big, warm "Good morning, young lady, and how are you today?"

Well, of course, he had me at young lady! But seriously, he changed my entire attitude. I went from looking at the line and wondering how long this was going to take along with all the other negative thoughts one has when standing in line, to smiling and feeling so happy that he enjoyed his job. He then told me to make sure I had an awesome day. Then he added "Should I not see you before then, have a very happy birthday!"

Wow. I need to remember that behavior breeds behavior and to be the first one to pass on a positive attitude - no matter how early I had to get up or what challenges will face me today. It is a great day and I'm alive and healthy to enjoy it.

Thanks to the TSA gentlemen for reminding me of this!

Congrats, Bill

2012-02-02T21:59:23Z

On behalf of all of Travel and Transport's employee-owners, we would like to wish our President & CEO Bill Tech a very happy 25th Travel and Transport Anniversary.

Thank you, Bill, for your continued commitment and dedication to Travel and Transport, our employees, our customers and the travel industry. Congratulations!

How Vital is a Managed Travel Program to Corporate Responsibility?

2012-02-02T15:00:31Z

The tragedy caused by carbon monoxide that occurred this week at a Holiday Inn Express in South Charleston, West Virginia, in which one person died and eight others were sent to the hospital, reminds us again of the significance of duty of care for our corporate customers.

As head of Travel and Transport’s sales organization, I review hundreds of requests for proposal each year, and it’s alarming to observe that in the majority of these opportunities, 10%-40% of customers’ hotel spend represents hotels booked outside of managed programs. As we evolve into a more and more traveler-centric industry, it’s important to understand the impact that allowing travelers to ‘use their best judgment’ – including staying at any hotel within per diem, regardless of where it’s booked – has on duty of care.

Emergencies and crisis situations occur every day, ranging from a fire or carbon monoxide incident at a hotel, to a crisis at home where your employee’s spouse or family needs to track down an individual. We have become so accustomed to being able to track down anyone day or night by texting them, sending out a Tweet, or dropping an email, but have we become lax in our corporate responsibility of duty of care? As your travelers are booking outside the managed program, do you still have a way to know at a moment’s notice where they are, or is that important to you?

Hotel bookings outside a managed program happen, they just do, but I believe that this is a battle we need to continue to fight for the sake of safety, security, corporate responsibility, and program savings. Do you agree? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

Tips for Packing in the Winter

2012-01-30T16:30:22Z

Most of us like to travel as light as we can (as I mentioned last week). When you're traveling for business it's a necessity. When you're working and traveling in cold weather climates, winter time makes it rather difficult to accomplish that goal.

Road Warriorette has three great tips on her blog for making sure that you are packing efficiently during these winter months. What do you do to make the most of your carry-on during the winter? We'd love to hear your tips.

4 Great Destinations to Help You Escape From Winter

2012-01-26T18:00:11Z

Do you ever feel like you want to just curl up and crawl under a warm blanket for the remainder of the cold winter months ahead? Well, while that might seem like the most logical solution to beating the freeze, it may not work for those of us who have friends, family, jobs, responsibilities…or just need to see the sun a few times per week. You might instead try a warm weekend getaway to one of these destinations to thaw your frigid feet without spending an arm and a leg! (And leave the blanket at home! Most hotels provide them nowadays…)

Miami, FL
IfPhoto by Sara Cartwright you’d like to escape the cold but don’t relish the idea of having to trade your overworked heater for a powerful air conditioner, the temperatures in Florida’s coastal cities in the first months of the year are cool and mild. Travel to Miami in January through April for temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees. Relax on the beach, tour a historical lighthouse, or take a stroll along one of Miami’s bustling shopping districts. There is plenty to do year-round in Miami. Miami is also a major port for many Caribbean cruises, and for good reason! You might consider adding a cruise to your trip as well.

Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands
Photo by Sara CartwrightWhen you want to “leave the country” for a while, but don’t want to break out the passport, try jetting down to one of the United States’ territories, like the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. The first months of the year are some of the best to visit these tropical climates, as the summer months will bring sweltering heat and humidity. Puerto Rico’s temperature hovers right between the 75 and 85 degree mark, with some of the lowest precipitation of the year.

San Diego, CA
Photo by Mark DaunerWhether you want to spot a whale just off the shore or see one doing tricks at SeaWorld, San Diego has these majestic creatures and many more awaiting you year-round. San Diego is a cool average of 60 degrees in the late winter months, and there is no shortage of activities in this bustling coastal town. Play a relaxing game of golf, attend an action-packed art festival, or go on a whale watching adventure via catamaran!

Las Vegas, NV
Photo by Mark DaunerIf beaches and waves aren’t your style in summer or winter, Las Vegas always has attractions, sights, and activities for everyone. In the mid-winter months, temperatures are in the 40s and 50s. If you do arrive at the tail-end of winter and the heat index is rising above moderate, don’t forget that Las Vegas is well known for the lavish pools and water parks that many of its hotels offer.

Finally, if you just need an escape, but don’t necessarily mind walking through a winter wonderland, try sledding in Central Park or ice skating at Rockefeller Center. New York City is abuzz all season long with attractions and activities for the winter weather lover.

To book any one of these winter getaways, or for more suggestions on warm escapes for winter, contact your Travel and Transport Vacations expert today!

Wearing Your Luggage: An Unbiased Review of SCOTTEVEST

2012-01-23T15:49:52Z

When I'm on a long trip that requires me to check luggage I absolutely hate to have to worry about a carry-on. Moving through the airport and in and out of security and customs with a bulky carry-on can be quite a hassle, especially when you reach the destination and then have to pick up your checked bag as well. On a recent trip to London I decided to find out if I could manage to get there without bringing a carry-on. I knew that I would need to bring a few items along, and that I would also need something to carry my gear around while I was out enjoying London, but I didn't want to necessarily carry a bulky bag or a backpack. I decided to take the next logical step and opted for pockets.

Lots and lots of pockets.

I found all of the pockets that I could possibly need at SCOTTEVEST. They design and sell apparel with all sorts of pockets. Need to carry your phone? Your passport? Your camera? Your headphones? A guidebook? Some extra money? You'll find clothing on that site that will allow you to do that and more. I ordered the Tropical Jacket/Vest, which has 18 pockets and is one of the lighter weight items that SCOTTEVEST sells. The jacket also allows you to carry a bottle of water upright, and it has a pocket large enough to hold an iPad.

That's me in London wearing my SCOTTEVESTNow here's what you're probably thinking: "Wow, that guy must have looked ridiculous with all of those things crammed into his pockets." You may be right about me looking ridiculous, but it was certainly not because of the jacket. The jacket was a basic black windbreaker with nothing strange or noticeable about it. I loaded up all of my gear into the jacket and was pleasantly surprised. It was designed to conceal everything so well that you could hardly tell that I had anything inside my jacket at all!

My least favorite part of flying is going through airport security. The jacket made getting through security a breeze. I was able to simply slip the jacket off along with everything in it and put it into the bin. I picked it up and put it back on when I got through and was on my way to the gate. It made for the most convenient TSA experience that I've ever had.

Personal security is always an issue when you're traveling internationally, and I think that SCOTTEVEST's products stand up well here too. You can carry your passport and spare currency or credit cards in an inside pocket that is reasonably accessible, yet is secured with a zipper and would be very difficult for a pickpocket to access without you noticing. Never again will you need to wear one of those inconvenient belts that require you to remove clothing in order to access your money.

If you're going to go the SCOTTEVEST route, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Buy it a size larger than what you normally wear. After all, it's not just you that will be fitting inside; it's you and a dozen of your favorite travel items. In addition, I would recommend opting for a lighter option rather than a heavy one. In London the mid-November temperature was considerably warmer than normal and with all of the walking and moving in and out of the Underground stations I never felt like I needed anything heavier. I even removed the sleeves at times and just wore it as a vest over a long sleeved shirt. If it does get cold, you can always add another layer of clothing inside the coat since you selected a larger size. I would also recommend that you consider also carrying on a small bag if you're taking along a tablet or netbook. Even though many of the SCOTTEVEST products have pockets designed especially for these technology devices, the weight of those items compared to everything else makes the jacket a little awkward.

I paid for my SCOTTEVEST out of my own pocket and this is not intended to be an advertisement for SCOTTEVEST or its products. It is, however, definitely something to consider when you're trying to make traveling hassle free. Not interested in a jacket? There are many other choices available as well, including both men's and women's apparel, shirts, hats, ties and even undergarments that have concealed pockets. I think that anything that can help you get through security a little quicker and make your traveling a little more convenient is a good thing.

Would a SCOTTEVEST product be a good option for your next trip? Let me know what you think.

Traveling While You're Sick

2012-01-11T15:13:33Z

For travelers, this time of year unfortunately means traveling while sick - or at least traveling in the proximity of people who are sick. Katia Hetter has an interesting piece on CNN.com that discusses this very topic. Some of the conclusions reached are that people tend to fly while sick - especially business travelers - due to the cost of rescheduling, committments to customers, etc.

Other points in the post include bringing along disinfecting wipes to keep the area clean around you, purchasing travel insurance in certain instances and using a travel agent (this one's our favorite) because they can be your point of contact for helping to reschedule travel and providing local information if you get sick during your trip.

What tips do you have for staying healthy while traveling?

New Year's Resolution: 5 Tips to Help You Stay Fit on Your Next Trip

2012-01-03T15:33:10Z

Let’s face it. It can be tough to stick to a workout routine on a normal day, let alone when you're traveling miles from home. Being away from the ordinary can derail even the most disciplined business traveler from the track of healthy living.

Experts believe exercise can reduce the side effects of jet lag and increase sleep length and alertness – two ingredients for a successful business trip. Great! But unless you have a personal trainer that travels with you, how does one muster up the long-distance motivation to exercise? Below are a few tips we hope will inspire and encourage you to continue your exercise regime and healthy lifestyle even while traveling:

1. Don’t forget your shorts!
It’s a great excuse – “I’d love to work out, but I forgot to pack my gym shorts!” Make it a routine to throw your sneakers, gym shorts, t-shirts, yoga mat, pedometer, workout DVD, resistance band or jump rope into your luggage before leaving for any trip, or keep it in your luggage from one trip to the next. Unless you pack 40 lb. dumbbells, these items are lightweight and will not take up much room in your bags. They are visible reminders of that healthy lifestyle you’ve been trying to maintain back home.

2. Eat light before your flight
In a study published in the Journal of Science, researchers suggested that fasting for about 16 hours before a long flight may reduce the side effects of jet lag. If you aren’t a fan of fasting and think 16 hours without food sounds a bit unreasonable, limit your pre-flight meal or snack choices at the airport to light and healthy ones and drink plenty of water. Stay away from greasy foods. Once you land, you can enjoy a full meal, and you’ll have renewed energy for a quick swim at the hotel or a walk around your new surroundings.

3. Do what the locals do
If your hotel doesn’t have its own fitness center or swimming pool, ask the front desk if they have partnerships with local gyms. If you are a member of a national gym chain, you may have access to their various locations at no additional charge. The front desk may also be able to provide you with a map of nearby hike and bike trails. Take a brisk walk in the local mall and shop for souvenirs at the same time! Or, exercise in your own hotel room like our road warrior and General Manager of Corporate Sales Penny Watermeier does. She always travels with her trusty Insanity Workout DVD. A new in-room fitness trend in hotel rooms is also making it easier on business travelers to complete workout routines without ever leaving their hotel room.

4. BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks)
In between tightly scheduled business meetings or conference sessions, convenience calls out to our hunger in the form of fast food restaurants and vending machines. Be proactive and travel with your own snacks. Throw some protein rich granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit or energy bars into your purse or briefcase. These items won’t need to be refrigerated and can travel with you all day from meeting to meeting, on the subway or at the airport. They will give you that needed boost of energy to keep you productive and focused.

5. Aim for 50% of your normal workout
Finally, don’t stress yourself out if you aren’t able to put in your normal 5-mile run while on your next business trip because there was 4 feet of snow on the ground. Don’t worry that you didn’t get to bench press your normal 300 lbs. because the hotel didn’t have the proper equipment. Some circumstances are going to be out of your control. Focus on the things you can control, like the 4 tips mentioned previously. Aim to accomplish 50% of your normal workout routine by the time you return home.

Whether you successfully reach your workout goal while traveling or leave some room for improvement, you can use that experience to motivate yourself again on your next trip. Dominate jet lag!

Update: January 4, 2011 at 16:45 CST Travel and Transport's VP of Account Management Nancy Rissky added this comment below. We thought it was a great idea so decided to add it to the post. Thanks Nancy! "Nike has a free app for the IPhone called Nike Training, it has several great 30 minute workouts to do in your hotel room." You can find the app here.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T17:57:22Z

Please take a look at the video below for a holiday message from Travel and Transport. On behalf of all of our employee-owners, we would like to wish you a very happy holiday. May all of your travels be safe and smooth this Christmas weekend.