How to avoid -- or make the most of -- travel delays
— -- San Diego-based frequent flier Saul Klein started traveling 22 years ago and estimates he has spent more than 17,500 hours -- at least two years -- waiting around.
He counts among his waiting time standing in security lines, checking in for flights and hotels, waiting to board or get off planes, and waiting for luggage and car rental shuttles.
Yes, the time maybe could be better spent. But strategies to reduce the amount of wasted time or take advantage of down time have "become old and boring," says Klein, a senior vice president in the software development industry.
"I used to read a lot while traveling," he says, "but not as much in recent years."
Klein and other travelers who seek to better use their down travel time may want to look to some of the strategies employed by frequent flier Jason Womack, a productivity and performance adviser and author of a new book, Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More.
Womack, who flew on 140 flights last year and trains for triathlons and long-distance races while traveling, is well-practiced at knowing how to eliminate wasted time during trips -- so much so that he almost welcomes flight delays and the time spent waiting around.
"The real trick is to turn these pockets of time into opportunities to get real work done," says Womack of Ojai, Calif. "Not only does it alleviate the stress of the delays, but it allows you to remain productive. I call it doing what I have to do so that I can do what I want to do later."
Becoming a preferred airline, hotel and car rental customer is the first step toward saving and maximizing time, he says. Such status may provide priority boarding for a flight, expedited check-in at the hotel and rental car counter, and quicker service to resolve a problem if something goes wrong.
If you can afford the annual fee or can use frequent-flier miles for one, Womack recommends an airline club membership."You can have a quieter, calmer place to be the most productive at an airport," he says.
Here are some of Womack's other tips.
Before departure:
Become a packing minimalist. Leave at home unnecessary items and clothes you never wear while traveling. This will save time packing, unpacking and finding the things you need on the road. The minute you return from a trip, pack your bag for the next trip, and you're ready to go.
Own duplicate items. Save time not having to undo and redo your office setup by having a duplicate set of power chargers for phone, laptop and other tech devices. Also, have a duplicate set of toiletries.
Charge it. Create a list of equipment you travel with, and charge all of it the night before you leave home. Do the same thing in your hotel room the night before traveling home. Bring charging cords in carry-on.
Master your gadgets. Learn all the benefits of your smartphones, laptops and tablets. Their apps and software can save on work flow and travel time. Use apps that help find places to eat, provide directions or enable check-ins for flights.
Anticipate problems. The key to a successful trip isn't only being as productive as possible, but staying healthy mentally. Reduce anxiety by leaving earlier than necessary for flights and meetings. If you show up early, use the "bonus time" to work.
Finding a pharmacy can be time-consuming, so always travel with pain relievers, adhesive bandages and cold medicine.
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