A Life In Transit
Airports, Hotels, And Rituals
Saying I travel for work is an understatement. Sometimes when I meet someone and they ask me where I live, I say “on a plane.” Case in point: I am on my fourth flight in three days; we are not yet halfway through the year and I have already logged 120,000 miles in the air. I am not complaining – visiting key partners and training estheticians is my favorite part of my job – and after thousands of flights and layovers, I have developed strong opinions and rituals around travel.
Flying
Airline: American Airlines
In the early 2000s I started flying for work, and chose US Airways. “My” airport is DC Reagan National, which was their hub. When they merged with American, I stayed. No airline is perfect. But most airlines will really try to be perfect if you are loyal to them. I have the highest status, which makes a huge difference in my travel life. I get upgraded often. I benefit from priority check-in which means I save time. I don’t pay for checked bags (more on that below) which means I save money. Most importantly, when something goes wrong, the airline does its absolute utmost to make things right. That is invaluable.
I book all of my travel myself (which always surprises people). I am too much of a control freak to delegate this, and also I may have rules. No layovers less than 90 minutes. No flying through Chicago between October and April. Preferably 6 am flights (more often on time, and I do love a fresh crew). And on and on.
When things do go wrong, which is inevitable given how much I fly, I remind myself “better to be on the ground wishing I were in the air, than in the air wishing I were on the ground.” Words to live by.
I pay for the annual Admirals Club membership. It is expensive, but essential. The number of hours I log in these clubs working and being on Zooms makes it worth it. As does the fact that I don’t have to pay for coffee, wine, NA beer, or food. I long ago stopped counting the “meals” I eat in Admirals Clubs because it was getting too depressing. All I know is the math works.
On the topic of work: because I spend so much time flying, “plane time” is “work time.” It is not “sleep, read, or watch a movie” time. I have two exceptions to this rule: if it’s dark outside, or if I don’t get upgraded. Because I fly so much, I get upgraded often - which is a luxury. A luxury I justify by promising myself I will work on the plane. And when the upgrade does not come through, not having to work suddenly feels like a gift.
I am a window seat person (I always book 9A if available). Travel can make you tired and cynical if you let it, but the view from an airplane window - the sky, the sunrise, the clouds - always brings me a sense of awe. How beautiful is this Earth – and how amazing is it that this flying machine can stay up in the air!
Last note: I promised myself a couple of years ago I would not take redeyes anymore. Once a year, I break that promise. Traveling back from the West Coast is just so much more efficient overnight – even if I know I won’t be doing any big thinking work upon landing. For redeyes, I always travel with my favorite eye mask and compression socks.
Sleeping
Hotel brand: Courtyard By Marriott
Just as I am with airlines, I am loyal to hotels. On work travel, I always stay at Courtyard by Marriott. They cater to business travelers; they have a Bistro for breakfast (featuring Starbucks coffee) and light fare in the evenings (including wine and Heineken 0). The fitness centers have what I need. No frills, but all the necessities to make for a good night’s sleep after a long day and a productive morning before going out in the field.
I like two Queen beds (one to sleep in, one to lay out my outfit for the next day), and I like my room to be as far from the elevator as possible (to get my steps in, and because elevators are loud).
Checking bags
Luggage brand: Tumi. In all sizes, preferably in black. It is expensive, but worth every penny. My roller is finally looking like it’s ready to be retired, and I have had it for 8 years.
Hear me gently. I always check luggage (unless it is an overnight trip). And yes, I can already see you shaking your head and rolling your eyes in horror. Most of the travel blogs and pro tips are all about how not to check. I can’t do it. I have too many Alchimie Forever products I use – and not all come in travel sizes; my fragrance, Jicky by Guerlain, which I have put on every single day since my 16th birthday doesn’t come in travel size; I don’t decant; and I refuse to change my beauty routine when on the road (which is all the time). Finally, almost always, I am traveling with products and samples for the partners I am visiting.
Packing
Black everything. One pair of slacks to three tops is my rule of thumb. Different shoes to make my outfits look different. A blazer, always - it makes any outfit look polished and professional. My jean jacket, a trench coat, or a winter coat depending on the time of year and geography. Workout clothes. One extra book (other than the one I am reading).
I always have a bikini and a pair of flip flops in my suitcase – regardless of purpose or travel or destination. Regarding the bikini, you just never know… and flip flops double as slippers.
I always travel with tea, instant coffee, Clif Bars, EmergenC, and almonds- all in a big Ziploc that goes in my suitcase. This helps keep me healthy on the road, which is not as easy as it sounds.
The one item I absolutely cannot travel without is my White & Warren cashmere travel wrap. Airports and airplanes are often cold, and this wrap keeps me comfortable no matter the AC setting.
Unpacking
I unpack as soon as I walk in to my hotel room (Hitha, I see you!). Even if I am there for only one night. Clothes get hung, toiletries (all the products!) get put out, shoes get taken out of shoe bags and lined up by the wall. This gives me a sense of control and makes me feel organized.
What I Never Do
Work travel is not tourism; rather, it is its own strange category of movement. When traveling solo (which is most of the time for work), I don’t see the sights. I don’t go out to eat (hence the importance of the Courtyard’s Bistro). Occasionally, if I am in a city where a girlfriend lives, I will reach out to meet for a glass of wine. Very occasionally. I know cities by airports, hotels, and Alchimie Forever partners only!
Of course, when traveling with a colleague, this hermit behavior is softened!
Why I Love Work Travel
Being in the field is my favorite part of my job. Visiting with new business prospects and existing partners is equally stimulating. Training estheticians on Alchimie Forever products is how I learn what is working, what is not, what we are missing, what we should do more of. No brand was ever built sitting behind a desk…
I have visited all but three states in the USA (South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska). I love seeing how crazily different various parts of this country are. It’s always hard for me to wrap my head around the diversity in landscape, climate, culture, wealth. I love this country and it is a privilege to get to know it.
For someone who spends so much time in transit, I have learned that discipline and solitude is how I protect my energy. And that routines matter more, not less. The same beauty routine. The same tea. The same hotel chain. The same window seat. These small rituals become anchors when my life is constantly moving.