Why Should I Network on Planes?
April 12, 2012 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
After all the hoopla of checking bags, getting through security, navigating the airport crowds and fighting for a seat at your gate, spending the entire homeward journey talking to a stranger likely ranks among doing the in-flight beverage service yourself among things you want to do.
But it may be in your best interest to power through it and get chatty…airplanes are a fantastic place to network. (They don’t call ‘em the friendly skies for nothing!)
Try talking to your fellow passengers before you doze. (Photo credit: caribb)
There are lots of ways to strike up a conversation on a plane:
- If the person next to you is wrapping up a call as the flight attendants call to power down. Whether he’s speaking with a spouse back home or a co-worker, this is a great chance to get the ball rolling.
- If you spy a trade show badge or branded tote bag as your seatmate boards, use it as an opportunity to ask what he’s been doing.
- Have you been admiring your seatmate’s avant-garde technology? Ask about a gadget and how he uses it for work.
- There are plenty of opportunities to commiserate about shared experiences in flight. Experiencing turbulence? Make sure the person next to you is doing all right.
And there’s always the classic, direct personal introduction. Be sincere and natural, and offer your hand and a business card if you’ve got one.
Like all networking situations, it’s important not to force it. You may be feeling at the top of your game, ready to talk shop and swap business cards, but that doesn’t guarantee your seatmate will be. If you try to start the conversation and hit a brick wall, give it a rest — the last thing you want to do is create awkwardness in an already cramped, uncomfortable space. Pay attention to their cues too: if they put on earphones, lay back to go to sleep, or are engrossed in a book or magazine, chances are they aren’t in the mood to talk.
(And likewise, don’t feel pressured into continuing a conversation you aren’t interested in having. Most air travelers understand the simple cues.)
But if you’re feeling up for it, start by introducing yourself and take it from there — you never know what might happen.
Related articles
- Still Ignoring Your Seatmates? Big Mistake (inc.com)
- A Positive Attitude Is Critical for Small Business Success (blogs.constantcontact.com)
Travelpro, Atlantic Luggage and Austin House Announce the “2012 Gift Guide for Moms that Love to Travel” (PRESS RELEASE)
April 11, 2012 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
(Boca Raton, Fla.)—Travelpro, Atlantic Luggage, and Austin House are pleased to announce their “2012 Gift Guide for Moms who Love to Travel.” Make this a memorable Mother’s Day with a gift from their expansive lines of luggage and travel accessories, designed to suit the needs of the female traveller.
“This year’s Gift Guide offers a variety of fashionable luggage and travel accessories that are ideal for mothers who travel and the budgets of their loved ones” said Scott Applebee, Vice President of Marketing for the Travelpro family of brands.
Travelpro Platinum 7 Deluxe Tote
Surprise her with the stylish Travelpro Platinum 7 Deluxe Tote, a perfect Mother’s Day gift constructed with luxury design, distinction and functional superiority. This tote includes a leather monogram patch for the engraving of initials as well as black nickel accents throughout the bag. The Deluxe Tote is available in wine and black nylon fabrics and the suggested retail price is $129.99.
The Executive Pro Ladies Rolling Brief is a fashionable gift choice for the working Mom who is a frequent business traveler. This Ladies Rolling Brief is lightweight and durable with ample storage including a business organizer and padded laptop/tablet sleeve. A telescoping handle and ballbearing wheels deliver what every busy executive needs on the road. The piece is available in black and the suggested retail price is $149.99.
The new lightweight and affordable Maxlite 2 20″ Expandable Carry-on Spinner is another great Mother’s Day gift choice. It offers a wide array of innovative features that ease the hassles of travel. The 4-wheel Spinner system provides a smooth glide with 360 degree maneuverability, making it easy to navigate through airport check-in lines and terminals. The patent pending Contour Handle Grip improves ergonomic comfort and movement control and the rugged polyester fabric, available in ocean blue and black, is stain and abrasion resistant. Suggested retail price is $139.99.
Make her next trip effortless and stress-free with the Atlantic Ultra Lite 22″ Carry-on Upright, weighing in at only 6 1/2 pounds. With the trend toward ever-increasing airline overweight- and checked-baggage fees, the virtually weightless Atlantic Ultra Lite collection allows her to pack more and pay less when she travels. The collection’s best features are the expansive packing interior, the durable exterior fabric and the stylish color choices: cobalt blue, moss green and charcoal. Suggested retail price is $79.99.
Another great gift choice for mom is the Atlantic Compass 2 25″ Expandable Spinner. This lightweight luggage is packed with a wide array of features that makes travel easier. Tested for high-mileage travel, Compass’ 2 high quality and durable spinner wheels can roll in multiple directions for maximum mobility through busy airports. A removable garment sleeve comes standard on uprights to help prevent wrinkling of shirts, blouses and pants. The affordable Compass 2 25″ Expandable Spinner is the ideal piece for moms packing for the entire family. Suggested retail price is $129.99.
Austin House, a leading brand of innovative travel accessories, features a multitude of cost effective items that will make unique and useful gifts for this Mother’s Day. Let your loved one know that traveling can be hassle-free with this line of travel accessories. The new Austin House Travel Comfort Kit offers a 3-piece set including an eye mask, inflatable pillow and soft fleece blanket. The pillow cover doubles as a convenient storage bag. Another option for the traveling mom is the Austin House Motions-Less elasticized wrist bands that help control nausea due to motion sickness, inner ear imbalance or morning sickness. The wrist bands are one size fits all. Also, the new Austin House Packing Cubes make packing easier and more orderly. Available as a 3-piece set, each cube rolls into its own pouch, taking up minimal space inside your luggage. These versatile cubes are great for any savvy traveler. Or give mom, the new Travel Document Organizer to help her keep her important travel documents secure and in one place. The organizer has a secure zip around closure and a large pocket for documents, a passport and currency along with additional credit card/ID slots.
About Austin House
Austin House started in 1974 to make travel as safe, comfortable and hassle-free as possible. Today, the strength of Austin House is its vast selection of travel essentials and clever ideas, including safety locks, travel clocks, luggage straps, luggage tags, passport and document holders, personal security, comfort and care items, leather goods, adapters and converters and electronics accessories. A one-stop shop for travel accessories, Austin House is the essential resource for the serious traveler. Please visit Austin House for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.
About Atlantic Brand Luggage
Since 1919, the Atlantic brand has been synonymous with affordable, value-added and lightweight luggage. As a market leader in the lightweight luggage segment, including neatly designed uprights and spinners to trendy and smart garment bags and totes, all Atlantic branded luggage is of superior quality and durability. Whether for business or pleasure, travel is easier with Atlantic luggage, now part of the Travelpro family of brands. Please visit Atlantic Luggage for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.
About Travelpro
For twenty five years, Travelpro International has prided itself on design innovation and durability in crafting the highest quality luggage for travellers worldwide. Since transforming the ease of modern day travel with The Original Rollaboard wheeled luggage, Travelpro has been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide. Travelpro is dedicated to building a lifelong relationship with its customers by consistently understanding and exceeding their needs. The company offers a variety of innovative, high-quality luggage collections and computer briefs; each aimed at a specific user lifestyle and rigorously tested. Travelpro was the winner of the 2009 and 2010 Leading Edge Award from Executive Travel Magazine for “The Best Carry-on Case.” Travelpro is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the invention of the Rollaboard throughout 2012. Please visit Travelpro for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.
Related articles
- Travelpro Announces its Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Invention of the Rollaboard (travelproluggageblog.com)
- Travelpro to Introduce Record Number of New Products at the 2012 Travel Goods Show [PRESS RELEASE] (travelproluggageblog.com)
Travel Trends for 2012 and Beyond: Adventure and Mission Travel
April 10, 2012 by Karen Amin · Leave a Comment
Business travel will always be business travel; families will never stop going to Disneyland and Disney World; exotic beach locales will continue to be popular among those looking to get away.
But we’re seeing a surge of popularity among a different kind of travel, and we owe that surge to the burgeoning Generation Yers who’s graduating from college, entering the workforce and starting to spend their discretionary income on travel.
Bamboo and ferns in Peruvian rainforest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
These are people who have gone through their education expecting to find jobs after graduation that will help them make the world a better place. They want all aspects of their lives to be more meaningful than those of generations before them, and that includes the trips they take in their spare time. They don’t just want fun trips. They want their vacations to mean something to them, and even to the world, or their corner of it.
Adventure Travel
If our 20-somethings have taken a job where they’re commuting by car or train to work every day, working in a corporate setting, dealing with the bureaucracy that their parents before them did, grinding it out…when they get to vacation, they’re really looking for an experience.
So they may pack up and head for somewhere exotic, but not in the way traditional travelers do. They’re looking for active experiences — from hiking and biking to riding in helicopters and ziplining — that will help them see the world in a new ways that literally take their breath away. It could be a trip down the Amazon, taking a motorcycle trip through Australia, or hiking in South Africa.
Mission Travel
This generation is one that’s very affected by the state of the world around them. Living in America, it can be difficult to feel like it’s possible to make a difference in the day-to-day lives of those suffering in places beyond our borders.
On vacation, the last thing these travelers want is to feel like they’re on a guilt trip, escaping to the lap of luxury while people and natural life around the world suffer. So other travelers (Generation Y and beyond) may choose to pursue mission trips, using their time away from work to help those who are less fortunate, to build something that will help others. They may be building houses in Mexico, caring for orphans in Haiti, or helping NGOs in Africa provide healthcare. But they’re off doing something to help people live better lives.
Chances are, these travelers are packing lighter, but they expect to come home with so much more under their belts than a few souvenirs.
Related articles
- Adventure Travel Packing List (travelproluggageblog.com)
- Adventure Travel for Everyone (transcontravel.wordpress.com)
- Adventure travel bargains (money.cnn.com)
- What Is Adventure Travel and Is It For Me? (channelvoyager.com)
Can Today’s Lightweight Luggage Take the Stress of Travel?
April 5, 2012 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
A lot of people ask how today’s luggage manages to be so lightweight. And if it’s so light, they ask, will it hold up to the stresses and strains of regular travel?
The answer is most likely yes.
In the “old days,” weight and strength were directly proportional. If you wanted the most durable bag, you needed to use the heaviest materials. Today, that’s not the case. Fabrics have evolved to the point where a light material can also be very strong.
Luggage manufacturers have established an appropriate trade-off between weight and durability. At TravelPro, we look at everything that could weigh down a bag, from the outer material to everything that goes inside.
Our designers use specific guidelines as they craft our luggage. The frames are made from a flexible, durable honeycomb — which also happens to be quite light — then designers go from there as they choose handles, wheels, pockets and even accessories that are included inside the bag.
Fabric is one of the biggest considerations, and it’s usually a choice between polyester and nylon. Today, both are great, durable choices for everyday luggage. Polyester was once considered a low-end material, but manufacturers have made huge strides in strengthening the fabric and making it more aesthetically appealing, too.
All of these things become a factor when deciding what goes into the bag and how much it will weigh — we analyze every component of every bag we make to ensure that it doesn’t exceed our specifications, so you can have the comfort in travel and peace of mind that your belongings will be safe and secure inside your luggage.
Related articles
- Choosing Luggage: Hard-Side Versus Soft-Side (travelproluggageblog.com)
The Importance of Knowing Bag Dimensions Before You Fly
April 3, 2012 by Karen Amin · Leave a Comment
Picture this: The night before you leave for an important trip, you pack your bag to your exacting business-traveler standards. Your clothes are rolled, your shoes neatly line the bottom of the bag, you’ve layered everything just so.
You arrive at the airport prepared to breeze through security, your zip-top bag filled with 3-ounce everything already in hand, when you’re stopped by an eagle-eyed agent who says your bag’s too big.
She points you toward that dreaded metal rack, and you hold your breath as you try to slide your bag neatly into place…and it gets stuck.
The agent looks at you and utters the five worst words imaginable: “You’ll have to check that.”
With today’s sky-high baggage fees and all the other hassles and concerns associated with flying, it’s important to be able to control as many factors as possible. One of those is knowing exactly how large your luggage can be for whatever flight you’ll be on and wherever your destination may be.
It doesn’t have to be a guessing game! Depending on the size of your plane and the type of flight, you can always know with some certainty how large or small your bag needs to be before you travel.
Your best source is the airlines’ websites. Carriers are eager to help savvy travelers and offer a wealth of information online, including the maximum size and weight allowances for carry-on baggage, plus size and weight limitations for checked baggage — and any fees associated with doing so.
The TSA can also be a helpful resource for general baggage guidelines.
The key to preserving your sanity when traveling is preparing as much beforehand as possible. Don’t allow what you don’t know to trip you up when you’ve got places to go and people to see!
Related articles
- How to Fly Through Security (foxnews.com)
- TSA Week in Review: Debrainer Discovered at BWI (tsa.gov)
- Tips for People with Baggage (leggotunglei808.wordpress.com)
What’s the Right Way to Stow Carry-On Luggage?
March 27, 2012 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
Carry-on luggage is the root of a lot of stress in travel these days. Hidden liquids and oddly shaped items can cause holdups at TSA checkpoints; you have to keep an eye on your bag at all times; and, of course, the melee during boarding is almost always caused by that sticky, tricky, age-old question: What’s the right way to stow a carry-on in the overhead bin?
The short answer: There’s no right way.
The longer answer: It depends on the shape of your luggage and the size of the bin.
It’s a lot like loading a new roll of toilet paper onto its holder, actually: Whether the paper hangs over the top or drops back behind, it’s a matter of what feels most natural, what fits. Many people have strong preferences about it, but the bottom line is, you’ll know if you’re sticking your luggage into the overhead bin the “wrong” way. You shouldn’t have to jam it in there, and the bin should close completely with your suitcase in it. Whether that’s wheels in or wheels out, it’s as simple as that.
Many flight attendants say that wheels out is the way to go, and in the past, that’s made it hard to get bags out when deplaning. Great news: Most Travelpro® Rollaboard® models actually include carry handles on the top, bottom and side for easy grabbing as you rush to leave the aircraft..
If you’re looking for a one-size-fits-all bag, 20-inch Rollaboard® models can be great. In most cases, you won’t have to fight to squeeze them in bins, and they’re suited for both domestic and international flights (bins on international flights are smaller, and most international flights only allow the 20-inch bags).
In most cases, if your bag is regulation size and still won’t fit in the bin — perhaps in the case of commuter planes — then flight attendants usually offer a complimentary gate check, so you get the best of both worlds: no worries about hoisting your bag into the bin, and no waits at baggage claim. It’s usually waiting for you, once you leave the plane.
So far, there’s no master chart online anywhere that lists the dimensions of every plane’s overhead bin, so be sure to check your airline’s carry-on size regulation (and remember that the wheels count as part of that), and prepare to act quickly to find the fit that’s “right” for your particular flight.
Related articles
- Choosing Luggage: Hard-Side Versus Soft-Side (travelproluggageblog.com)
- Overhead bins get bigger to fit more carry-on bags (cbsnews.com)
- Overhead Bin Overhaul (foxnews.com)
- Overhead bins get bigger to fit more carry-on bags (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
What Does Gen Y Look For In Luggage?
March 22, 2012 by Karen Amin · Leave a Comment
Everyone’s talking about Generation Y these days. The “Me” Generation. Psychologists are researching what makes them tick; older generations are decrying their work ethic and supposed sense of entitlement. But we, of course, are thinking about what they’re looking for in a piece of luggage. (We also happen to think they have a great work ethic.)
The late teens and 20s are times of huge transition for people. You’re leaving school, entering the work world, and are seizing new opportunities that present themselves. So let’s look at two different possibilities for a Gen Y traveler, and the needs they might have.
They don't want this! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Graduate Traveler
The post-college backpacking trip is still alive and well. Ask these 20-somethings about what type of luggage they want, and chances are they won’t have thought about it too much.
Travel these days can be pricey, so they’re probably planning to spend all their money doing things after they’ve arrived at the destination. They don’t want to sink a ton of money into a suitcase when there are sights to see. So above all things, they want affordable luggage.
But this is a generation raised in a culture of style and discernment, so that affordable luggage shouldn’t sacrifice looks or quality. That’s where TravelPro’s adventure luggage comes in. High-capacity rolling duffels, roomy backpacks with plenty of pockets — all durable and ready to tackle both city streets and tough terrain — these are the types of luggage the young, adventurous traveler looks for.
The Entry Level Career Pro
Our 20-something colleages who just got their first big job will probably be looking for something a bit more serious, to impress the boss and feel more official when they travel. They may also have a bit more money to play with because they’re landing on a cushion of salary they’ve never experienced before. (Trust us, it’s an awesome feeling!)
They want something durable, efficient, organized and still stylish: perhaps a piece from TravelPro’s Walkabout Lite 4 series.
Generation Y is made up of millions of very different individuals, and this generation is just one of the reasons TravelPro offers so many different types of luggage.
Related articles
- Choosing Luggage: Hard-Side Versus Soft-Side (travelproluggageblog.com)
- Get Out of Town Painlessly for Spring Break (travelproluggageblog.com)
- What is Adventure Luggage? (travelproluggageblog.com)
Secrets of Overpackers
March 20, 2012 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
Generally in our blog, we recommend packing light and being very efficient in what you travel with — to reduce fees 
when you fly and cut down on clutter in the hotel room or wherever you’re staying. Many travelers share our views, either out of thrift or preference, judging from the shortage of available overhead-bin space.
But not everyone shares our opinion. Travel is a highly personal thing, and for some people, having clothing options and the comforts of home is an absolute must.
A reporter from the Sacramento Bee recently interviewed “overpackers” from all over the country about why they do what they do…and how to successfully overpack, if there is such a thing.
One traveler insisted she needed at least eight pairs of shoes for almost any trip; another packed 10 towels just for drying her hair. One man needs a separate suitcase just for his scuba gear when he travels to the Caribbean. Another learned a hard lesson when he was hit with a $90 overweight-baggage fee for his bag being 6 pounds too heavy.
If you’re prone to packing a lot, there’s a chance you’re also a heavy packer. No one wants to be one of those people redistributing and repacking items at the counter — avoid those huge overweight-bag charges entirely by weighing before you head to the airport. You could always bear-hug your suitcase and step on your scale, but you can also use a luggage scale from Austin House to weigh your luggage before you ever leave for the airport.
The article also mentioned carry-on size and weight restrictions and cautioned that carry-on space remains at a premium (but that gate checking is a surprising plus for travelers on very small aircraft).
We have one solid recommendation to add: Even if you are an overpacker, don’t overstuff your bag. Leave room for souvenirs or purchases. Or, if there’s absolutely no room left in your bag when you’ve finished packing, stick a low-profile duffel bag or tote in a suitcase pocket so you can still bring home those spur-of-the-moment purchases.
The article’s bottom line — and our line of thinking, too: Pack what makes you happy, but be cautious about your bags becoming overweight.
Related articles
- Tips for People with Baggage (leggotunglei808.wordpress.com)
- Choosing Luggage: Hard-Side Versus Soft-Side (travelproluggageblog.com)
- Unpacking (bingtobaklava.wordpress.com)
Choosing Luggage: Hard-Side Versus Soft-Side
March 15, 2012 by Karen Amin · 4 Comments
When choosing a new suitcase today, it’s not just about the size, capacity, number of wheels, or TSA compliance level: 
You also get to decide what you want your stalwart travel companion to look like. One big decision is whether to choose a soft-side or hard-side bag. Here’s a look at both types and why you might choose one or the other.
Choosing Soft-Side Bags
Obviously, these bags boast huge flexibility. Because the tops aren’t rigid, it’s easier to squeeze them into tight spaces like crowded overhead bins, even when you’ve overpacked a little. To add to their inherent flexibility, many of TravelPro’s models even come with 2½-inch expansion capability to allow for even more packing capacity.
Their flexibility makes them durable in a different way than their hard-side counterparts. They won’t yield to pressure from being tossed onto luggage conveyers and the like, so you won’t have to worry about the occasional bag handler getting rough with it, because it can withstand many of the bumps and bruises.
Inside the bag, there are generally more opportunities for organization, from pockets to special dividers for different items you may need to pack.
Finally, as you might expect, these bags also tend to be lighter weight than their rigid counterparts because the fabric is considerably lighter than the plastic needed to build a hard-side bag, though it all depends on the other components of the suitcase, from the frame and hardware to the accessories included with it.
Choosing Hard-Side Bags
Hard-side luggage can be made from a variety of materials, including ABS plastic and highly durable polycarbonates. In many ways, their features are the same as the soft-side bags — fairly light weight, durable, designed for easy organization.
The biggest reason people buy hard-side luggage these days is to show off their individuality and personality. Many find these bags more visually exciting than the standard, business-class black roll-aboard models.
They’re available in all kinds of colors, with flashy printed patterns, solid colors or actually textured; their surfaces can come in gloss or matte finishes. Some models really stand out, reflecting how travelers see themselves as well as making their lives easier at baggage claim.
The downside to these surfaces: They can be more prone to scratches, surface blemishes and bigger structural damage, both from others handling them and from normal wear and tear, pushing them into overhead bins and more. And your belongings will usually be safer from harm inside a hard-side suitcase because they don’t flex as much. (But your best guarantee is carrying on all breakables in a separate container!)
What is Adventure Luggage?
March 13, 2012 by Karen Amin · Leave a Comment
Last year, Travelpro launched its own line of Adventure Luggage, the T-Pro Bold collection. Luggage you can use when conservative, business-style luggage just isn’t appropriate. Think deceptively large duffels on rollers, rugged uprights and roomy backpacks.
This type of luggage has a more casual look than business-style luggage, with visual features that aren’t included on typical suitcases: compression straps, reflective piping, handy external pockets for multiple uses, wet pocket areas, storage for umbrellas, keys, etc. close at hand.
Travel writer and Travelpro blog contributor Mark Eveleigh sporting his TPro Rolling Duffel.
The T-Pro Bold line from Travelpro is a perfect example of adventure luggage: It’s sporty and stylish looking, but it’s designed to be durable and practical, with convenient access to all the things travelers need: cell phones, laptops, tablets, MP3 players and even snacks.
The bags are made with a durable polyester fabric, treated with with DuraGuard, a coating that protects the fabric from stains, water and abrasion. The zipper pulls are extra strong, and the wheels are oversized and have been tested over 30 miles for maximum durability.
On the outside
Inside, it’s all about efficient storage and protection for the adventurous traveler’s things.
Upright models’ main compartment expands 2½ inches for heavy loads, with multiple interior pockets to keep accessories and clothes organized. There are accessory pockets for umbrellas, shoes or last-minute storage, and foam pockets on some models are great for protecting laptop computers and tablets.
A lined, moisture-resistant pocket keeps food and drink safe, or separates wet swimsuits or sweaty clothes from the rest of the bag’s contents. There’s even a carabiner and bottle opener to help keep you hydrated.
The Bottom line: Adventure luggage pieces are designed to get up and go with the adventurous traveler. They’re light, durable and easy to maneuver through busy airports, city streets and rough terrain alike. And they look great, too — because being adventurous shouldn’t mean sacrificing style.
