What Can I Do To Make Traveling Less of A Hassle?
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11:31AM Michael Smith and I were talking, while he was here last week, about the hassels of travel and I mentioned that I’ve been doing it so long that I just don’t even notice it. Here’s what I do:
First I always leave in plenty of time. I don’t want to be crazed in traffic or at security or running like crazy to get to the gate. Just leave in plenty of time and always carry a book or periodical that you can read. I also have a Treo, so I have my calendar and my complete data base with me, and can make booking and press phone calls, travel arrangements, or do email. I have plenty to do when I get there to wait for the plane.
I usually give my bags to a porter, who takes care of everything, and when a bag is a pound or two over, usually they will overlook that as you tip them. The airlines are getting very strict about the weight issue, now that George and his cronies have made oil so expensive (and profitable for them), so make certain that your bags don’t weigh over the fifty pound limit.
I usually take one suitcase in which I have my clothes, toiletries, effects pedals, strings, posters, etc. It always weighs 49 pounds. The other allowed bag is usually a case of 140 CD’s, which is what a case will hold if you use the digipaks instead of jewel boxes. With jewel boxes you can only get 100 into a case. I put the cords in my guitar gig bag, which I carry onto the plane. They allow you to have one carry on and one personal bag, in which I have a notebook, book to read, tape recorder, batteries, tape, first aid thingys, salt and pepper, ipod, sunglasses, and noise cancellation earphones. You would not believe how much easier a flight is when the noise level is down. And they also plug into all the airline jacks if you want to use them as earphones for the inflight entertainment.
I don't carry any liquids that they might confiscate at security. If you want juice or water, buy it for too much money after you get thru security. I keep my drivers license in a separate little leather thing, so i can just hand them that and the ticket. I wear slip on travel shoes that don't lace and weigh very little, so they are easy to get on and off. I get them at Big 5 Sporting Goods for about twenty bucks. I don't travel with a big metal buckle in my belt and I take off my watch as soon as I get into the security line. I put it and my change in my carry on bag. I just make it as simple as I can for them to pass me through.
When I land, 
I always use one of those luggage carts to schlep my bags and most of the time don’t pay for it. I just walk outside first and pick up an abandoned one that hasn’t been returned to the cart receptacle. It’s only three dollars if you want to rent one, but almost always they are just lying around. When you do ten cities in ten days that could add up to as much as sixty dollars, unless you use the sky caps on the way into the airport, in which case I tip $2.50 per bag, so it even adds up to more expense. Save where you can. Particularly now, when the road has become so very expensive and the venues are only giving you one night, and for me, it’s usually a week night, because they want bands on the weekends. They use to hire you for a week or two and it made touring such a joy. It also gave you time to build an audience and get to know the city and the people. Now you must show up with an audience already in existence. A hard thing to do with out exposure, but I digress...imagine that.
I always rent a midsize car and when I go up to the counter I am as pleasant and charming as I know how to be. They almost always upgrade me to the next level. Almost every time. And if they don’t and the car that they give me is too small, I upgrade myself. When you have a lot of driving to do, it’s better to have a car that is comfortable and has good suspension, otherwise you end up really tired when you arrive.
I usually book two week tours and I try to make them geographically logical and I always fly in at least a day early and I fly into the last city on the tour. That way I don’t have to pay a drop off fee for the car and I only have to get one round trip airline ticket. I also use a travel agent and he checks to see if this is the most cost effective way to do it. I always opt for the most cost effective, except for connecting flights. The hassle, the possible baggage loss, the possible delays make connecting flights a nightmare for musicians. So from L.A. to some major city and then I drive a big loop to all the cities on the tour and then back to where I started for the last date.
When I pick up the car at the airport, I don’t get the bring it back empty gas thing they offer. When I first leave the airport, I find the closest gas station I can and that’s where I’ll be filling the car up before I return it. The other way, you always end up leaving a quarter of a tank of gas in their car and that costs you money.
When I am just using a hotel to sleep for six hours, I don't book an expensive one. I save those for when I am actually going to be around for a few days. If I am just checking in, sleeping, getting up and driving on, I am not going to waste money on the luxuries of which I won't be able to take advantage.
If you think of anything else you need help wise or you feel I forgot something important, please contact me
Reader Comments (2)
Nice post James. A few notes:
Rental cars: I always get the cheapest subcompact, because they never have them. Free upgrade 90% of the time, and I don't even have to smile and be nice. 8^) -- exception.. you don't want to be in a subcompact in snowy weather or driving through steep mountains.
Hotels: Priceline.com, baby. Granted, it's not what it used to be. Hotels have learned they can offer cheap rooms and nickel and 10-spot you for internet and parking. Perfect example of the ups and downs. I stayed in a $200/night efficiency in a nice part of downtown chicago for $30 per night. Unfortunately, parking was also $30 night. -- stayed in a great place for two nights, and still saved some money at a time when it was pretty important to do so.
Allowing extra time: It's probably the most critical thing to make touring worthwhile and enjoyable. I've been amazed (when I toured as a duo) that people are willing to risk losing a $1000 gig and a wasted flight just so they can sleep an extra 30 minutes. There are so many things that can screw up a flight, or your ride to the airport... you can plan for the worst, and still expect (and often get) the best.
all good ideas and thoughts fran, thanks for your input and your insight. that's a great idea about the cars.