Via Her Blog

These days, there are almost more reasons to hate travel than to love it. Recent stories in the news about frustrated flight attendants and angry passengers underscore the changing landscape of flying.  What this means is that it is more important than ever to treat each other with respect!  Keeping basic rules of etiquette in mind will put us on the path to calmer, happier travel.

If I were to write a comprehensive list of travel etiquette, it would be as long as a book. There are so many ways to be a polite fellow traveler that I don’t think I could write them all even if I wanted to! There are also many different categories: security, carry-on, food, cell phone, middle seat… I could go on and on. The following list of travel etiquette is a compilation of what I think is the most important. But I fully realize that if someone else were to make a list, it could be completely different!

• Be prepared to go smoothly through security.  Know what the current security rules are for the location you are traveling through, and follow them. Have everything ready to go (laptop, bag of toiletries, shoes off, etc) as soon as you get to the bins. Have all change out of your pocket. Have your boarding pass out for people to see. If there is an option to choose your security line based on your level of experience, please choose honestly.
• Know the carry-on rules. European airlines and U.S. airlines have slightly different carry-on requirements—make sure you know them. Know how many bags you can bring on board—in most cases, but not all, it’s two. If a flight attendant tells you that your bag is too big to fit, allow them to gate check it.
• Put your suitcase on the correct side of the airplane, facing the correct way. Listen to what the flight attendants tell you to do, and do it. If one side of the plane is made to hold rollerboards, please put your suitcase there. That way there is room for everyone’s stuff.  And while we’re on this subject, if you have two bags, please only put one in the overhead space.
• Don’t grab the seat in front of you.  A huge pet peeve of mine! Every time you touch the seat in front of you, the person sitting there can feel it. Please don’t use it as your personal handle. You can use your own seat if you assistance.
• Let the middle seat have the armrests. You may be tall, have long arms, need a lot of space… It doesn’t matter. The person in the middle has less space than you, and it makes their flight better if they get the armrest too.
• Respect the crew. If the flight attendant tells you to turn off your cell phone, do it. If they tell you where to put your bag, put it there. The crew is responsible for the transport and safety of over a hundred people. They are not your personal chef, bartender, or secretary.
• Be patient during de-planing. Hundreds of people rushing down the aisle to get off the plane all at the same time… it’s just not possible. Even though it can be frustrating to have to wait what feels an excessive amount of time, be patient. And when it is your turn, grab your stuff quickly. If there is someone who has a tight connection, it is polite to let them go first or pass you in the jetbridge if necessary. Think of how you would like to be treated in that situation!

Overcrowded airplanes, fewer amenities, harried flight attendants, long lines at security, delayed flights… It’s easy to become frustrated during travel. The way to keep all of us from turning into wild eyed, air-raged crazies is to exhibit a modicum of etiquette. Remember that you are not the only traveler on the road! Treat people the way you would like to be treated, and we can be a calmer community of fliers, one passenger at a time.

Road Warriorette is a professional woman who travels for work, a lot, from her home base in Texas. Because of her extensive travel experience, the Road Warriorette wants to share valuable tips and tricks she has learned, in hopes to teach the world about how to be good fellow travelers. She writes a blog, RoadWarriorette.com, for her fellow women business travelers. She loves to help people pack better! Learning to pack efficiently was a huge and fun challenge for the Warriorette who has a slight obsession with clothes and shoes (paring down is not easy, ladies!).   In addition to writing and travel, both professionally and recreationally, she enjoys knitting, yoga, and spending time with her husband, the Home Warrior, and their two dogs.  Read More »

Traveling in uncomfortable shoes is no fun! Especially if you’re running late and you have to dash through the airport to make your flight. Once I actually got a stress fracture from wearing cute but uncomfortable shoes on a travel day. But as someone who is frequently accused of being a shoe addict (and I’m okay with that!), the thought of wearing ugly shoes every day makes me want to cry. How do you strike a balance between comfort and style?

There are many brands of shoes that walk this line effortlessly, giving you support for your long travel days along with good looks. Due to an injury several years ago that left me unable to wear heels, I have made it a sort of personal mission to find all the cute flats in the world. While noting that just because a shoe is flat doesn’t mean it’s comfortable, flats are generally easier to travel in. However, there are a few lines that have travel-friendly heels as well. Here are a few of my favorites of varying heel height.

Geox. Geox uses a technology developed in Italy that allows shoes to be waterproof yet breathable.  The brand offers everything from sandals to flats to heels to boots, and so many of them are just beautiful. Lola, from their fall line, is fall-appropriate, affordable, professional, and very cute.

Cole Haan. Cole Haan has a line that uses Nike Air technology, making dress shoes feel as comfortable as sneakers. I really like the Air Olivia Lace in Dark Aubergine, a lovely deep purple ballet flat with a wingtip influence.  The Air Miranda Pump has a classic silhouette, and a heel height that should work beautifully for travel.

Sofft. Sofft shoes have a reputation for being extremely easy to wear, during travel as well as long days on your feet. When I went to their website to find examples, there were so many fabulous shoes I had a hard time picking a favorite. I finally narrowed it down, and the beautiful mary jane Fable is it. Could I wear them in an airport? Probably not. But wow, they are amazing. My favorite realistic shoes are the Milano in Chianti.

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In a few months, Via Her will launch our newly designed website, with more cities reviewed, more tips and more information for women business travelers.  The redesigned site is easier to use, and incorporates a number of new features, such as interviews with leading business woman, and “4 Hours in the City”.

How many of you have traveled abroad for business, only to see your office, hotel, and nothing else?  While that’s a fairly common scenario, isn’t it a pity to be in Tokyo for the first time and not see anything the city has to offer?  A few weeks ago, a client of ours told us she had to travel to Paris for a conference at Euro Disney (about 20 miles away from the city center).  Despite it being her first time in Paris, and the conference running from Tuesday – Friday, she didn’t go into town once; not even to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower (except from the airplane – she was lucky the sky was clear that day!).  

We don’t want the same thing to happen to you. Often times, it is easy to comfortably enjoy the highlights of the city before your evening flight, or even for a few hours after work.

As a sneak preview of the redesigned website, our next few blog posts will provide advice on our favorite business cities in the world.  Don’t forget, the ViaHerlette has traveled to over 50 countries (hence hundreds of cities worldwide) and can’t wait to share her tips with you.

If you want us to start by a specific city, please drop us a line…  Read More »

Following up on an article I have just posted on our Facebook page about body scanning image, I can’t help but write a post about this new product: a company has just created a new product called Flying Pasties. For people who are afraid of having their bodies scrutinized with the new airport full body scanners, you now have the option to wear Flying Pasties on your private parts. It’s not a joke! The company launched launch in July and, according to their slogan, wants to “Give you back your right to privacy".

According to the website, Flying Pasties can be applied two ways: against private areas inside a bra and briefs, or, with an included adhesive hook (inside or outside your clothing). "We must stress however, that no matter how your wear your Flying Pasties... whenever your airport screener questions you about your Flying Pasties, simply remove them and present it to them”, says Mike Francis, spokesperson for Flying Pasties.

If you have bought some Flying Pasties or are interested in trying them, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let us know!  Read More »

Packing efficiently can be one of the hardest skills to learn for a business traveler. When I first started traveling for my job, to say that I wasn’t awesome at packing would be an understatement. On my first trip for work (four days) my suitcase was so heavy I could barely pick it up, and it certainly wouldn’t fit in the overhead bins. I brought four completely separate outfits, one for each day, with shoes to match. I also brought a toiletry kit that took up over a third of my suitcase space. Ah, the good old days.  Now when I am packing, I can fit everything I need for four days in a suitcase half the size of my first, and I don’t feel deprived at all!  Read More »

Traveling for work three weeks out of the month has become the norm for many women across the world.  Women business travelers have to look great, be professional, and perform exceptionally, all while being comfortable enough to sit on an airplane for hours. Luckily, there are tools of the trade to help us balance this fine line, including a great laptop bag.

For a female business traveler, one of the most important accessories you own is your purse or laptop bag. Your bag actually goes beyond being an “accessory;” if you travel, it is required. It is your main carry-on, holding your laptop (of course), work, reading material, wallet, phone, and anything else you need in your day to day life of travel. Having a too-small or hard to carry bag can make your dashes through the airport miserable, so it is critical to find a good one. This is not a time to skimp! If you find a great bag that fits your needs at a discount store, good for you, but don’t expect it to necessarily stand up to the abuse you put it through. (True story:  I once had three inexpensive purses break on me three trips in a row. Now I spend money on my bags.)

Whether you choose to purchase a bag made specifically for laptops, or can find a purse that will comfortably hold your computer, there are several key things to look for:

• Size. Make sure your computer, files, day planner, and anything else you need it to hold will fit comfortably. It shouldn’t look like it’s bulging or have things hanging out of the top, but it also shouldn’t be so big that it’s awkward to carry or difficult to store under the airplane seat.
• Multiple interior pockets. The best purse interior is divided into two sections, one for a laptop and one for the rest of your stuff. It also needs to have a small pocket inside for small items such as keys, cell phone, and your favorite lipstick.
• Exterior pockets. An exterior pocket on the side of your purse is helpful for things you don’t want in your hands, but need easy access to, such as your boarding pass.
• Easy to carry. You have to be able to carry your purse on your shoulder or strapped to your suitcase. Although hand bags are chic, it would be very difficult to travel with a purse that you had to carry in your hands. I like two straps that are at least an inch wide, which will minimize cutting into your shoulder.
• Looks professional. There are many cute bags out there that do not look at all like work bags. There is no need to completely subvert your personality, just remember that your bag is a reflection on you. Is it projecting the image you want?

This purse by McKlein is very cute, priced well, and is designed to hold a small laptop.

Another possibility is this Tumi Villa Business Tote. It is a more traditional laptop bag, with feet on the bottom and a removable sleeve.

This Kate Spade laptop bag doesn’t have a divided interior, but it is a
good size, has plenty of smaller pockets, and the lining makes me happy.

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What perfume should you wear at the office? Should you wear fragrance on the plane?

According to Allure, "one word should be going through your mind right now: imperceptible." They recommend that you "skip any scent that smells full-strength for more than 20 seconds. Better yet, try a lighter scented body lotion instead of a perfume. We like Estée Lauder Pleasures Body Lotion, which smells of lilies, peonies, and jasmine."

Have you tried it? Your thoughts?  Read More »

I always pack lightly and efficiently. I hate the expense and hassle of checking luggage in; whether it’s an overnight business trip, travel for a week, or just travel for fun.  Therefore, I do everything I can to make sure everything fits into a carry-on.

For business trips, I tend to always pack the same type of items: sample size toiletries, a few suits, accessories, shoes, and my electronics!  While I’m confident I have a good packing technique, I’m always afraid of forgetting something (iPad charger, contact lenses, etc.). So, prior to each trip I used to create a packing list on a piece of paper that I’d eventually misplace or throw away. Quite a waste of time! This is why I was so happy to find an app that helps me with my packing and make sure I don’t forget anything. uPackingList allows you to create custom packing lists for each type of trip you take. You can refer to these lists any time you travel, update them, mark the items as packed, and more.

The free version of the app contains ads. The full version (without ads, photos, import and export features) will cost you $1.99.  Read More »

Keeping up your exercise routine while traveling can be a challenge.  I recently found an interesting app called Travelista, which is available for iPhones and iPads. This app shows you how to exercise in your hotel room using items such as your luggage, an ottoman, a bed or water bottle. The app also offers some instructional videos, photos and audio coaching to ensure you get an effective workout. You can also keep track of your progress by recording your workout. Most of the exercises are designed for women travelers. Price is $1.99.  Read More »

Is it me or are airline frequent flier programs impossible to understand?  

I recently flew to Central America on Delta Airlines, and expected to get enough miles to obtain Gold Status on Air France’s Flying Blue program (Delta and Air France are partners in the Skyteam alliance).  But, once the miles posted, Air France only credited 25% of the miles; whereas my husband, who was on the same flight/fare class, was credited 100% on his Delta Skymiles account. Apparently, this is not a mistake. Depending on the operating airline, codesharing and fare class, you can get either 100% of the miles or a fraction of the miles. And each frequent flier program has its own rules, even if they are strategic alliance partners! How can you keep track? Well, unless you have an unlimited amount of time, you can’t. But here are a couple of websites that can help you keep track of your miles:  Read More »