Travel has changed a bit. The planes are generally more crowded, and the overhead bins are filled to capacity. There are several ways you can cope with the changing climate of air travel. If you are flying to a popular airport such as O’Hare in Chicago, it’s best if you do not expand that 
carry on bag. The overhead bins are filled and you may have to gate check your bag. If you use a smaller carry on bag or use your bag in the less than capacity mode, you’ll have a better chance of fitting the bag in the overhead. I will often take the international sized carry on luggage on these busy flights. I’ll take a slightly larger personal bag, and fit the personal bag in the overhead compartment. These bags are soft sided and can be pushed into smaller areas. I’ll place the international or 20″ carry on luggage under the seat in front of me. You also need a lot of patience when traveling. I bring along at least two paperback books to read and I always have several snacks with me. Be sure to comply with all of the new airline regulations also. If you are bringing along small toothpaste, or any liquids or gels, put them in the three-one-one case. This is the clear plastic case in a one-quart size, filled with bottles or jars of three ounces or less. You may only bring one of these per person. Be sure you have an identification tag on your carry on bag, as you may not always be able to put it over your seat, or even nearby. And of course, leave your Swiss army knife at home, or packed in your baggage and not your carry on luggage. Remember that the airlines are dealing with these higher fuel prices just as all of us are at home. They are trying to do the best they can, and grumpy passengers do not make the travel experience pleasant for anyone.
July 7th, 2008
Travel by air is constantly changing. Airlines have new restrictions on the size of your luggage and the weight permitted. Be sure to check with each individual airline on their weight and size restrictions prior to your reservation. Those cases you used in the past may not work today. How can you tell? The newest travel item is the portable 
Luggage Scale with Tape Measure. This easily weighs your luggage so you will not be charged at the airport. It is very easy to use. You put the hook on the handle of your luggage and lift the luggage slightly. The weight locks on to the scale for easy reading. You do not have to lift your heavy case all the way up to your eyes. Put the case down, take the hook off the luggage and look at the scale. The dial stops and it has locked in the weight. This handy item, which is under $10.00, also has a tape measure. Many of the airlines have a 62″ height plus length plus width size limit. If the luggage is severely overstuffed, it may go over the size restriction. If you like to shop when you travel, and plan to bring home a lot of souvenirs, you will need the scale for the trip home. The tape measure also insures that you comply with the new regulations. It makes it very easy to check the overall dimensions. Reset the scale to zero with a simple twist of the dial, and you’re ready to weigh another bag! Now you can start packing!
June 14th, 2008
Finally, the Yellow Bird from Vera Bradley Luggage has arrived. And it was well worth waiting for! The sunny color will bring a smile to your face. It doesn’t matter how aggravating travel can be – this will make it all right. The luggage is, of course, well designed. It has the 100% quilted cotton lining inside that complements the exterior color. The Pullman cases have a floating divider that organizes your packing the way you want. There’s also a matching shoe cover to protect your clothing. Of course, the outer fabrics are abrasion tested, tightly woven polyester for durability and soil resistance. To keep the luggage lightweight, the pull up handle is sturdy lightweight aircraft grade aluminum. The handles lock so you can push or pull through busy airport and train terminals. The inline skate wheels have industrial strength steel ball bearing. These are quiet and effortless to wheel on all types of surfaces. The corner HUB Guard protects the wheels against wear and tear when traveling. Enjoy this great looking luggage and make some exciting travel plans!
June 7th, 2008
According to the N.Y. Times there’s a new website especially for students traveling abroad. It’s maintained by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ and is part of a campaign to promote safe and smart travel by students. The information included on the site includes what to do in case of a natural disaster or any other emergency. It also has contact information for victims of crime. There are also the locations of United States embassies and links to country information. Also included are travel alerts and warnings. Go to www.studentsabroad.state.gov for the complete information. On the website you’ll also find:
* Wallet card to fill out with emergency contact information
* Preparation checklist
* Packing checklist
* Directions and deadlines for applying for passports and visas
* How to vote in the U.S. while you’re abroad
June 1st, 2008
Whether you call them pad covers , or padfolios, they make great gifts, especially at this time of year. Young people are graduating, and carrying one of these is the perfect way to go on a job interview. They neatly hold your resumes, and the pad allows you to take notes. There’s a handy pen slot and a place for business cards. These useful pad covers fit inside your briefcase, or can be carried alone. There are zippered styles as well as the usual bifold style. They come super slim or loaded with pockets and compartments. Pad covers come in a huge assortment of leathers, colors and price ranges. They are also handy to take away to college and bring to lectures. Those lucky enough to be beginning new jobs, have a very impressive way to show up for meetings. You look eager to learn and ready to work! These padfolios are available from Bosca, Dilana Leathergoods, Lodis, Vantaggio, Kenneth Cole, Alicia Klein, Millenium Products, Jack Georges, Buxton, and Mosaic Travel Gear. There’s one to suit every person, and they are especially appreciated with your monogram stamped into the leather.
May 31st, 2008
Delsey Luggage has an actual traveling closet. This is their Helium Pilot Garment Bag. It comes in two sizes and they are both like a mobile full sized closet. You can hang your clothes using any hanger from your closet, or on wire hangers directly from the cleaners. The hangers are staggered inside the bag to keep the bag slim. On the side of the hangers where they slope it is usually wasted space. Not in the Delsey Helium Pilot garment bag. The mesh zippered pockets on both sides give you a great place for socks, stockings, toiletries, and other small travel accessories. The case zippers open down the middle of the bag. On either side there are pockets galore. (Just like your bedroom armoire.) The labeled storage pockets help you stay organized. Padded pockets protect fragile items. There’s also a fully zippered water-resistant hidden laundry pocket for dirty clothes on the way home! This luggage is made of super durable 2520 denier ballistic nylon by Dupont. The fabric is Teflon protected to resist soiling. The case is lightweight with an air flex frame that protects the contents in the bag without adding extra pounds. These cases are complete with a TSA combination lock. This is the only lock permitted to be used at US airports. TSA security personnel have a master key and can open the lock if they deem it necessary to look inside your bag. For a limited time only, we are giving a free matching attachable duffel bag with the purchase of the Delsey Helium Pilot traveling closet. The luggage is available in platinum or black and is a welcome addition when traveling.
May 24th, 2008
What to do if you are traveling to a foreign country and want to get along better? It, of course, helps if you speak the language. What better way than a Lingo translator, and one that actually speaks the language! This handy translator will translate over 30,000 words in a crystal clear human voice. It has an easy to use navigation wheel. It will also save your favorite phrases in memory. Included is also a currency and metric converter to help you convert the money exchange. This incredible travel item also plays hangman and quiz games and comes complete with a world time clock and alarm. Additionally, there’s sightseeing information for 12 countries. The twelve languages featured are English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish and Russian. The Lingo Navigator comes complete with two AAA batteries and an earbud, and is very reasonably priced. What more could you ask for in a travel companion?
May 23rd, 2008
Concerned about what to do when the lights go out? You won’t need to be as concerned if you have the newest solar powered, self-powered AM/FM/Weather band 
portable radio from Eton. This very handy hand crank or solar powered radio comes complete with a flashlight. You don’t have to worry about dead batteries - just crank the handle. It will even re-charge your cell phone so you can make calls. The Weather band will keep you advised along with the radio of what is happening outside. This 7.5-ounce lightweight radio gets all 7 channels of NOAA weather. It’s also tiny and easy to carry, only five inches in size! What a great item to keep on hand at all times. It is even convenient in the car or on a boat. This new emergency radio is ideal for all travelers and is brand new for the season! Make sure you have at least one on hand before the heat of summer causes power outages.
May 19th, 2008
The newest way to get all of the electronic gadgets organized at home is the valet charger . This doesn’t just hold your items, it charges them up for your busy day tomorrow. This is a wooden valet with a hidden power strip inside. Instead of plugging in your cell phone in the kitchen, and your ipod in the bedroom, everything can be in one convenient place. This valet charger wills charger five different gadgets at once. It’s complete with a surge protector. This is the most efficient way to recharge all of those important electronic gadgets that we no longer can do without. The valet neatly conceals the cords while charging. There’s also a lined shelf for other accessories like keys, watch, change, etc. It will safely recharge up to five electronic devices at once and you’ll always know where to look for your important electronics. The valet charger is a great item for home or in the office. The valet can be personalized with your name or initials on a silvertone plate. Your electronics will be in one place, fully charged and ready to go! It doesn’t get better than that.
May 17th, 2008
Funky, stylish and built to last, the new line of 
Jansport backpacks are in! These bags combine fashion-forward looks and the latest features. And they are, of course, designed for ergonomic comfort. New patterns with names like World of Hearts, Chocolate Chip Pink Daiquiri, and Graffiti are sure to delight and make studying easier. Many have compartments for laptops! They are super light, and have multi pockets and organizers. The Big Student backpack has S-curved straps for support and comfort when carrying all of those books and papers. Some of the models even have wheels for easy rolling over multiple surfaces. Jansport even has messenger bags with names like Elefunk. These have the padded back panels and adjustable padded shoulder straps. There’s even a water bottle pocket and cell phone slot. Don’t let the crazy colors and names fool you. The Boost backpack model has a capacity of 2300 cubic inches of space! Each bag is built with the strength and durability you’ve come to expect from Jansport. They are all specially priced on our “bag-to-school” sale with savings up to 50%.
May 13th, 2008
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