Things You Need to Know

Business Etiquette

Travel with Style

March 18, 2010

Day by day, I encounter signs that the economy is improving. Last year’s travel schedule was the easiest one that I had experienced in years. In 2010, I am back out on the road with much more frequency. So far this month, I’ve visited New Orleans, Houston, and San Francisco. Still to come are visits in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Gainesville, FL.

On most of my treks around the country, I’ve talked about the importance of all of us reacquainting ourselves with some old-fashioned manners. The very basis for “good manners” is thoughtfulness and consideration of others—Not in any sort of obsequious way. But as a means of demonstrating that we all must co-exist in this world together and with a little consideration we can make that coexistence all the more pleasant.

Before you even head to the airport, consider the following five ways in which we may show consideration to our fellow travelers:

Plan you travel cautiously. Be aware that flight delays are a normal part of business travel. The earlier in the day you travel, the less likely you are to encounter a flight delay. If arrival by a time certain is critical, fly as early as possible.
Whenever possible, check-in on-line and print your boarding pass. This may eliminate the need for you to stop at the airline check-in counter or kiosk thereby skipping one additional bottleneck, where patience may be worn thin and tempers flare.
Dress and pack for TSA. Because security will insist that you pare down to a minimum, avoid outfits that incorporate lots of layering. Opt for slip-on shoes over shoes with laces. The former go off and on far faster than the latter. TSA will demand to see your one-quart bag of liquids and gel. Remove these items from your luggage long before you approach security
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the airport. I’ve never quite understood the frequent flyer who boards a cab and yells to the driver, “Hurry, my flight leaves in 20 minutes.” Doing so places pressure on the taxi driver to drive recklessly and increases everyone’s stress.
At the airport, be aware of others. Whether fellow travelers are standing behind you in security or waiting at their gate, they are unlikely to be interested in overhearing the details of your personal and business phone calls. When you need to speak on your cell phone, find a place where you may speak in private and modulate the tone and intensity of your voice.

And finally, to the true gentlemen travelers that I still encounter, who graciously offer to lift my luggage, a special thank you from the very bottom of my heart.