 Travel
Information
Christina
Estes, Public Affairs Specialist with AAA Arizona shared
with is traveling information that you may find valuable
when going on your next trip. I had Christina on our show
over the span of a few weeks to share the information with
us. Below we have links to our audio interviews with the
printed information below as well. |
| Before
You Go |
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| Packing
and Luggage Tips |
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| Family
Travel with Children |
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| Tipping
While Traveling |
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| Be
a Good House Guest |
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BEFORE
YOU GO
SECURING
THE HOME FRONT BEFORE TRAVELING
Security
Checklist
•
Stop deliveries, especially the newspaper
•
Have the post office hold your mail
•
Set up a timed lighting system
•
Turn on your alarm system
•
Turn down phone ringers or set your voicemail/answering machine
to pick up after one or two rings
•
Store valuables in safe place
•
Eliminate possible fire hazards-unplug appliances, make sure nothing
blocks heat ducts
•
Lock all doors and windows. Deadbolt doors and make sure sliding
glass doors have locks and holding bars in place.
•
Make sure homeowner's insurance is up to date
Sanitation
Checklist
•
Arrange for care of pets, lawn and houseplants
•
Empty your refrigerator of perishable foods
•
Take out the trash
•
If you leave trash out for pickup ask a neighbor to put the trash
can back
•
Do the dishes
•
Change the kitty litter
Savings
(money, electricity, wear and tear)
•
Make sure your bills are paid ahead so you don't rack up late
fees and extra interest
•
Turn off the water heater. Optional, but if you're going to be
gone a long time this can save you money on electric bill.
•
Make sure faucets in and outside are turned off and not dripping.
•
Turn down thermostat…about 62 degrees in winter will keep plants
alive and your electric bill down.
•
Turn off computers
Other
suggestions
•
Don't advertise your trip. If possible pack your car in the garage.
•
Have someone you can leave a spare house key and/or car key with
in case of emergency.
•
Have someone who can reset your house/car alarm if they go off
•
Trust someone with all your details—copy of your itinerary, contact
numbers where you're staying, reservation/confirmation numbers,
passport copy, doctor's number, prescription info, names of family
and friends to call in case of emergency.
•
Leave your house the way you want to come back to it. Cleaning
house well before you leave makes returning more enjoyable. You
already have to deal with unpacking, laundry, restocking groceries
and catching up on mail.
•
Give yourself a buffer zone day. Return one day before you must
return to work, school or regular schedule. Take that day to unpack,
unwind and catch up.
AAA
PACKING TIPS
AVOID
PACKING:
•
Too many shoes. Limit yourself to three pairs—that includes the
pair you wear while traveling.
•
Too much paper—it's heavy! Bring only the reading material you
need. Narrow down travel guides, phrase books and maps to what
you will really use.
•
Home sized toiletries. Use samples or travel-sized toiletries
to save weight and space.
•
Anything of value in checked luggage. Keep your money, cameras,
medicine, expensive jewelry, traveler's checks and documents with
you.
•
Anything you'd really hate to lose, that has sentimental value
or is otherwise irreplaceable.
WARDROBE
TIPS, LESS IS MORE
•
Pack basic colors to deal with space limitations. Make sure each
item of clothing can be worn in at least two different outfits.
•
Pack to match your destination's climate. For warmer climates,
pack lighter colors and natural fabrics, like cotton. For
cooler climates, dark colored clothing, which can be layered for
warmth, is a good choice. For in-transit outfits, go with loose-fitting
clothing and comfortable shoes.
•
Keep track of what you pack. Keep a list of the items you pack
in your carry-on bag. If your checked bags are misplaced, the
list of contents can help identify them.
•
When packing for kids put an entire day's outfit ( undies and
socks too) in a large plastic bag and write child's name on the
outside of the bag. You'll spend less time searching for items.
CARRY-ON
BAG TIPS
•
If possible, try to travel with only carry-on style luggage.
•
If you're traveling to a meeting or a special occasion be sure
to wear what you need or carry it on the plane with you. It's
one less thing to worry about if you're separated from your luggage.
•
Always call your airline to check carry-on restrictions.
•
Expandable carry-on bags are good idea. We tend to accumulate
things as we travel and most people come home with more thing
than they left with.
PACKING
YOUR MAIN BAG, MAXIMIZE SPACE, MINIMIZE WRINKLES
•
Stuff your shoes. Scarves, jewelry, underwear and other small
items will fit inside. Plus you can easily fit smaller shoes into
larger sizes.
•
Use hotel shower caps to pack your shoes without soiling other
items.
“
Interlayering ” is the method to use. First, place your shoes,
in pairs, inside plastic bags. • • Configure
them toe to heel or put them into one another. Remember, some
smaller shoes will fit inside larger shoes. Put your shoes and
heavy items on the bottom. Place belts along the perimeter of
the case as well as heavy items like a hairdryer and cosmetic
case.
•
Now place a divider on top of these items. If your suitcase doesn't
come with a divider you can make your own either by: folding a
plastic dry-cleaner bag into thirds; using an oversized placemat;
or cutting a piece of cardboard the size of your suitcase (with
cutouts for your hands, to make it easier to lift out). Cover
your divider with Contact paper to make it more durable.
•
Fold the slacks along their natural crease and place the waistband
against one edge of your suitcase with the bottom of the pants
extending over the opposite edge of the case. • •
Using the same technique, place the second pair of slacks in the
opposite direction.
•
Continue folding the skirts and dresses along their natural creases
and use the interlayering technique of layering each article in
the opposite direction until all your slacks, skirts and dresses
are packed.
•
Next button up all jackets and blazers and pull a dry-cleaner
bag over them. (Note: Use dry-cleaner bags without print on them
so ink doesn't rub off). Place them face down in suitcase with
sleeves being brought to the back of the jacket along their natural
creases. The bottom of jackets will extend over the top edge of
the suitcase.
•
Roll up knit items and place them on top of the layered clothing,
leaving the original articles extended over the edges of the case.
When you've utilized every inch of space, bring the ends over
the rolled items inside the case, alternating sides as you go.
This keeps clothes in a rounded shape, minimizing creases and
wrinkles in the knee area of slacks and on jacket waistlines.
It's also easier to pull out certain items you may need along
the way without disturbing the entire case full of clothes.
•
When all items are packed you'll notice the benefit of having
the divider in the middle of the suitcase. You can reach in and
lift out the entire top layer without disturbing the items on
top.
THWARTING
WRINKLES
•
Stuff your shoes with socks, hose, underwear or anything that
either won't wrinkle easily or be seen if it does wrinkle.
•
Place tissue paper between garment folds.
•
Roll your outfits together if they're knits. They won't wrinkle.
Add matching socks and underclothes in the roll.
•
Wrap men's ties around a piece of cardboard and secure with a
wide piece of elastic.
•
Sweaters are easy to roll up, usually don't wrinkle easily and
fit well into corners, keeping other items from shifting in your
suitcase.
•
Fold blouses and men's shirts inside out so the wrinkles are facing
inside and are less prominent.
EXTRA
PACKING TIPS
•
Turn all sequined items or embroidered clothes inside out and
place them either in plastic bags or pillowcases to minimize rubbing
and loosening sequins.
•
Use your purse or evening bag to store non-sentimental and expensive
jewelry so you easily find it.
•
Place the items you intend to use first on the top of your suitcase:
shorts, bathing suits, pajamas, etc.
•
When packing for vacation, make a complete inventory of what's
in your suitcase. Print you name, address and phone on an index
card and place the card inside the suitcase before closing. It
may prove helpful in identifying your bag if your tags are lost
or destroyed. • Also, trade some packed clothing with
your traveling partner and use each other's suitcases in case
one bag is lost or delayed.
LUGGAGE
TIPS
•
Compression bags let you roll the air out of bulky clothes, giving
you 75% more space in the bag.
•
Don't buy cheap luggage
•
Get luggage with wheels and collapsible handles
•
Most bags look alike. Make yours stand out by using colorful garment
straps outside the bag, attaching a pompom to the strap or handle,
using a colorful ID tag or using colorful tape.
•
Never put your home address on luggage ID tags. Use the address
and phone number of a family member or travel agent. That contact
person can tell the airline where to send your luggage. This also
keeps thieves from knowing that you're out of town.
•
Plastic bags are great for jewelry, wet swimsuits, cosmetics and
laundry.
FAMILY
TRAVEL
Plan
Together
•
Get kids involved. Look for mutual interests. Create constructive
compromises.
•
Have each child fill a “car” backpack with their favorite stuffed
animals, games, headphones, etc. The bags can be kept at their
feet or beside them.
Travel
Time
•
Bring games, toys, books, music but also remember you don't have
to work 24 hours to keep children entertained. Traveling can be
a time for children to learn how to appreciate the journey itself.
•
Get kids involved in the journey by teaching them to read a map.
Review maps and guidebooks together before you go. Plot out stops
along the route.
•
Place a cardboard box upside down between the kids in the back
seat to act as a table and to keep them apart.
Money
saving Tip
•
Unless you've budgeted for the whole family eating out all the
time consider bringing a well-stocked cooler that can be refilled
with ice and groceries along the way. You could save hundreds
of dollars.
Safety
Tips
•
Always carry recent, high-quality photos of each child you're
traveling with.
•
Show you kids how to lock hotel room doors, how to call for help
on a phone and make sure they know where the emergency exits are
wherever you're staying.
•
Don't leave kids alone in car
•
Make sure older siblings know they have a responsibility to help
keep an eye on younger ones.
•
Keep track of each other. Make sure your kids know where to go
if they become lost or separated. Let them know about paging systems
at airports and train stations. Pick a meeting place for everyone
to go to quickly if you become separated. Buy and use walkie talkies
if possible.
•
Make sure your child has complete contact information on him/her.
Parent's name, address, pone, cell phone, hotel address and phone
number.
•
Teach your child to make a scene if someone they don't know tries
to touch them or lead them away.
TIPPING
WHILE TRAVELING
At
the Airport
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Skycap: $1 per bag
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Shoeshine: $2-$5
At
the Hotel
•
Bellman: $1 per bag. Some suggest $2 per bag if he takes to your
room.
•
Doorman: $1 for assistance in hailing a cab. A tip is not necessary
if he hails a cab from a cab stand. If he calls the company or
physically hails the cab a dollar tip is nice. Also, tip $1 per
bag for assistance in handling your luggage.
•
Hotel Maid: $1-$2 per maid for each day of service
•
Room Service: 15 % of bill. If gratuity is included on room service
bill (it often is) an additional $1 tip or more for exceptional
service is optional
•
Concierge: $5-$10 for special service like making dinner reservations,
getting tickets to a show
At
the restaurant
•
Maitre d' : $10 or more if a special service is performed
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Server: 15 % for good service, 20% for excellent service
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Buffet attendant or server: $1 per person in your group
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Bartender or cocktail server: $1-$2 for each round or 15% of total
check; 20% for excellent service
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Coat check: $1 per coat; $2 if you check coat and hat
Drivers
and Others
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Taxi drivers: $1-$5 according to length of the trip and quality
of service
•
Limo drivers: 15% for good service; 20% for excellent
•
Bus tours: $1 per person for the tour guide and the driver. If
you're traveling by yourself, $2 is a decent tip for a one-to-two-hour
ride
•
Valet parking attendant: $5-$10 as you enter and leave the establishment
(often signs are posted with expected amounts, look for them).
Miscellaneous
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Spa personnel: 15% for good service; 20% for excellent
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Hairstylist: 15% for good service; 20% for excellent
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Bathroom Attendant: $1. Note: In Europe many restrooms have an
attendant and to use the facilities you may have to tip a nominal
amount.
Tipping
Tips
•
Always budget your tip money ahead of time. Keep tip money (lots
of ones) in an envelope or your pocket. Bring small bills to avoid
asking for change.
•
Get a business card-size tip rate table to help you calculate.
•
Leave a tip with a personal note or thank you card
•
If you're giving someone a particularly nice tip hand deliver
for two reasons. One, a personal thanks is always appreciated
and two, it guarantees the tip ends up in the right hands.
•
Tipping etiquette varies dramatically around the world. In China
, Russian and parts of Africa tipping is discouraged. Know before
you go.
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Never tip uniformed personnel, like police, a ship's officer,
security, military or customs agent. They call it bribery.
BE
A GOOD GUEST
VISITING
RELATIVES
Even
among happy families holiday visits can sometimes lead to tension.
We'll address some potential friction points and how to avoid
them.
The
golden rule: Be the kind of guest in their home that
you would like them to be in your home.
•
The bathroom-observe good etiquette. Don't leave towels on the
floor, hair in the drain, toothpaste in the sink. Bring your own
toiletries.
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The kitchen-Don't leave a mess. Clean your own dishes. Put food
away. Offer to help or just pitch in without asking (but don't
get pushy here—defer to the host or hostess regarding your help
with cooking or cleaning up). Bring groceries as a gift if you're
visiting relatives on a budget and you've got a big family.
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Sleeping arrangements-make the bed or close up the sofa bed when
you wake up.
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Deal with your own laundry. Don't leave it scattered on the floor.
Strip the bed and leave the linens in the room or on the washing
machine.
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Be sensitive about the noise level. Don't let your kids run all
over. Make sure your kids understand and follow the household
rules.
•
Don't assume house is child-safety friendly. Bring outlet covers
or a nightlight for younger children.
Remember:
Staying under the same roof isn't always for everyone. Family
harmony and your sanity may be worth the cost of a hotel room.
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