The Commuters’ Plight
I hope you all are making the best of this interesting time in history. We, in the airline industry had our fill of managing this situation from the ground up. With the weight of the world on our shoulders, I’ve been asked to help manage the weight of your suitcases as you come and go.
“The Commuters’ Plight”
“What should I take, how much of it should I take, what kinds of events do I want to pack for…Whatever will I do?”
I understand these questions more than you know. For those not familiar with my background, my name is Jawara O’Connor. I’ve been with Mesa Airlines for about 5 years and commute to my post as a Captain on the CRJ, based out of Washington Dulles (KIAD). I commute from the beautiful, Pacific Northwest (Seattle, WA), a place I’ve called “home” for over 25 years. As much as I hate the commute, I love my home and figure I will just make the most of it also making the most of the roaring northeast cities. Packing for what could be weeks at a time, I’ve had to come up with interesting ways to fit my northwest life into one small carry on.
I hope these tips help you make the best of your trips while you negotiate what percentage of your home you can take with you on your trips around the globe.
Tip Number #1: The Itinerary Determine what activities (or lack thereof) you are going to do on your trips. Maybe skip the dress shoes if you are venturing out to the causal islands of Hawaii and pack those running shoes for scenic hikes!
Jay’s Solution: Several companies make gear called “from office to field wear”. They specialize in clothing you can wear from semi-formal to semi-casual environments. You might not be the best dancer on the floor, or quickest up that mountain but you will be moving a bit easier through the airport without all that extra boogie woogie in your suit case!
Tip Number #2: Keeping it Fresh Gotta keep it Fresh (like our Northwest forest) for the crew, and the passenger, right? While keeping it fresh can be a challenge, it doesn’t have to be hard to do.
Jay’s Solution: Companies like REI and Ex-Officio have camping gear that makes keeping things easy to clean on the road. Many of the gear I transport is made of tech fabrics which are not only easy to clean in a sink or tub, but weigh only a fraction of their contemporary cotton, and wool counterparts. This makes keeping that suitcase as light and breezy as our attitudes.
Tip Number #3: Keep it Together There’s nothing worse than getting that phone call at 5:25 a.m. wondering if you are going to make the 5:30 van. Well... making that dash can be a bit less stressful when you know that not only do you have your crew badge on, but your phone and iPad charger out of the wall!
Jay’s Solution: I can’t help you get out of the room faster or earlier, but having all your things in one place will make closing that suitcase and hauling things out the room in the pitch black a bit easier. Many travel stores sell compartmental sacks for camping and traveling. I often pack, all my suitcase items in separate small sacks (electronics, sack 1, casual wear, Sack 2 and so on). This way when I’m rushing out in the dark, I don’t have to worry about packing things or leaving them behind. If I didn’t open that extra bag, I don’t have to worry about what’s in the hotel room after I leave it.
Best of luck with your travels and I hope my tips help! If you see me in the terminal, I would love to know what you do to keep your home just a bit closer on our planes. Take care, stay safe, and keep the suitcase wheels down.
