Ask Engadget: What's the must-have gear for business travel?

Ok, last week reader Stephen D. wanted to know what the best Bluetooth headset was, this week reader Taylor R. wants to know, what's the must-have gear for business travel?

I'm starting a new job where I'll be on the road at least once a month, and I want to ask Engadget for some advice about are the best gadgets for business travelers. I've got my laptop and iPod, but I really could use some recommendations for a good portable mouse and a USB keydrive, as well as some suggestions about what other road warrior gear I need that I'm haven't thought of. I've also been wondering, are any of those WiFi detectors worth buying? Are they helpful?

Any tips for our new friend?

[Sparky @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Get a flash drive - get one 2x the size you think you will need. 512 or 1gb versions are cheap these days. I have both an inmation, and an iomega and I'm happy with them both. If you have wifi in your laptop you should get a pocket AP (from apple, netgear, or belkin) so you can connect in hotel rooms without having to use a cable. I personaly love to have a PocketPC for both entertainment and scheduling without having to whip out the whole laptop every 10 seconds.

[Leo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I recently read a great article series that covered this exact topic for users of Mac OS X. You may be able to gather some good info on what to carry. Also get a very good traveling case/gear bag.
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2004/08/31/traveller.html

[Akshay Rangnekar @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Get Vindigo. Priceless when you're in a city and don't know what to do, where to eat, etc.

[Erik @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I'm on a plane 1-4 times a week and one of the first things I splurged on was Sony MDR NC11 noise cancelling earbuds (I actually started with the older NC-10's, but left them and my iPod on a plane - reason to get a brightly colored case). Best purchase I've made specifically for travel. They make all crying babies and self-important adults go away and allow you to listen to music or audiobooks at a safe low volume, rather than having to crank it to 11 to overpower the plane's engines. You'll be much more relaxed at the end of your trip too. The full size headsets, like the Bose, may sound a bit better, but the vast difference in size and convienience make the earbuds much better for a lifestyle that involves folding tray tables and seat pockets.

[Tyrone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I suggest you get some nice pair of headphones, not the noise canceling, but something like shure e3c. They are great!!! I have used them quite few times while traveling on plane and it works wonders. Remember the time when you had a crying baby sit next to you, or the time when the old lady wouldn�t shut up (all personal experiences) well this will shut them all up! BTW it works well with IPOD.. Just don�t turn it up too high.... There are others out there that work but they are bit more expensive.

http://www.shure.com/earphones/eseries_e3c.asp

[anon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

You most definitely will want to get a pair of in-ear headphones. I have the shure E3's and they're great for blocking all the noise on the plane and subway. The noise cancelling ones are just way too big and require batteries - a total pain to manage when travelling. Also, a good laptop bag with a few functional pockets (many small pockets are useless) is essential - i prefer a top-loading bag so i can easily take out the laptop for airport security.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

My #1 must-have piece of kit for biz travel, heck, any kind of travel, is my Treo. Sure, it's a good phone -- that alone makes it nearly indispensible -- but factor in that it gives me Internet/Email/Web connectivity everywhere I go and the battery lasts 2-3 days with average usage (lots of GPRS in my case) and it's just da bomb. In addition to all the typical media player, PDA, game capabilities of the genre, the forthcoming Treo 650 will also act as a USB flash drive, eliminating yet *another* thing from my travel bag.

[Lord of the Tray TableKing @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

This thing is indespensable when traveling... different tips for different gadgets. Car/airplane/hotel room power when you need it. Charges phone, mp3 player and what ever else you can find power tips for. If this thing only had an integrated solar panel it would be the ULTIMATE power source. Etymotic headphones work great around 23 dB noice reduction and minimal sound distortion.

[Darren @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

But I've been very happy with my tiny but reliable mouse (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=007) from Microsoft. It's been knocked around a lot in an exterior pocket of my laptop bag, and it's still working fine.

[Barry Brahier @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I heard about this from Engadet HQ and its actually better than advertised. Cheap too, I got mine at PCConnection. The only downside is if you've got a big hand it may not work. While it doesn't eat batteries its always smart to have a pair of AAA's with you.

[christopher wanko @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Radio Shack makes the iGo Everywhere, which has about every possible tip and voltage you might need. A premium over older variable-voltage adapters, but you don't have to wire your own tips like I did.

Noise-cancelling headphones are worth their weight in uranium. Every consultant I've ever spoken with about them agrees, and these are individuals with an average of 250k flier miles. Sound reproduction is always better when it cancels out competing noises; much more so when it can shield you from unwanted ones on its own.

Spare batteries for everything: laptop, PDA, MP3 player, whatever.

Flash? I carry a Lexar JumpDrive Trio, and I can put my Sony MemSticks, SD, or MMC cards right in. That makes it unlimited storage, plus it's now USB 2.0. I put *all* critical info on at least one MS or MMC card, just in case. Because my cellphone handles MMC, I usually keep another spare on that card, too. WinRAR is a wonderful thing for compressing big docs to small, recoverable archives.

Speaking of USB, get a small USB 2.0 hub. Laptops generally have one or two USB ports, and you will undoubtedly needs two or three simultaneously.

Bring your own CAT-6 cable, of course. Don't forget your SecureID fob either, to get into your corporate LAN while away.

[Jish @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Some overlooked "must-haves" for business travel ... perhaps not quite gadgetry:

- Earplugs (hotel walls are often thin, you need sleep before your morning meeting/presentation)
- Short ethernet cable (where wireless isn't available in hotels, they often run out of ethernet cables at the front desk)
- Flash memory drive (no need to power up your laptop just to get your powerpoint)
- Coins/small bills (a lifesaver when you're parked at a meter and are short on time, and the bills are handy for tipping the valet guy).

Other more typical "gadgetry" recommendations (that may be too obvious to mention, really): lightweight laptop (with DVD player), noise-cancelling headset, portable music player, mobile phone (with alarm and e-mail), compact wireless mouse, digital camera.

As noted at destinova.com.

[nattinee tansoon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I travel a lot and find jet lag is one of my main problems, especially on long hauls from the Far East to Europe and back...

I use pzizz to help me catch up on lost sleep - sometimes as little as 15 minutes will have me up and running again... more than enough to get me through the day.

It's also a great stress-buster!

[Michael OD @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I have found my new Netgear WGR101 indispensable. Most of the hotels I stay in offer in room broadband, very few offer WiFi. The WGR101 is a small 802.11b/g Router. I simply plug in the hotels CAT5 and my entire room is now wireless. Setup is a snap and I can with share the connection, or lock it down so I am the only user.

You can pick one up for less then USD $80.

Highly Recommended.
http://netgear.com/products/details/WGR101.php

[FizzFizz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I have some ethernet, phone and USB cables that retract into little space-efficient spools. Once retracted, they're much easier to throw into a bag and they don't come out all tangled up.

I've also heard good things about those Zip-Linq cables that charge your cell phone from a USB power source; you can leave your cell charger at home and charge your phone from your laptop.

[...Marco @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Start with your 40GB iPod loaded with upbeat music, relaxation soundscapes, and a choice of audiobooks to kill the airhours. (Time expands when sitting in cattle class).
Add a Belkin iPod battery pack and your Sony NC11 noise cancelling headphones (BOSE cancel the noise better, but they scream feedback on your neck pillow when you fall asleep - very unpleasant and not fixed in the new model either).
Inflatable Neck Pillow and cloth eyeshade, as vinyl ones make you perspire.
For emergencies, pack a razor, toothbrush/paste, aftershave, lipbalm, soap and facetowel in case your luggage does not make it... ok so I was trapped in an asian airport for hours with shower but no cloth or paper towels... you try drying yourself from a shower with toilet paper. A small snack (nuts or lollies) and a bottle of water in case the trip is so rough the stewardess never gets to serve you.
Medication, including headache, melatonin for adjusting your body clock, and MOST importantly, a decongestant for when you catch a cold during the flight... it blows me away that airlines normally do not have these when landing with blocked ears is extrremely painful.
Palm T3 for dealing with timezone changes, tricky travel schedules, and the all-important GAMES for killing time in the interminable waiting for planes, security guards, courtesy buses, etc.
CAT5 cable, phones cable, Airport Express AP, USB sticks (no brand, I waited til I was given freebies), and altec lansing ipod speakers that make the alarm function of the iPod actually wake me up.
iGo Juice for laptop (which is light but has DVD player with it). USB charging cables for phone, Palm, and ipod so you can charge them from the laptop if no power outlets available.
All this packs into my Targus backpack that keeps my hands free for documents, and waving explanations of my destination to french taxi drivers.
Did I mention the hipflask of vodka?

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I travel about 100-150k miles per year. I have a small case meant for toiletries that I keep all the cables, adapters and misc. stuff I need on the road, so that I can just automatically toss it into my suitcase each week without needing to think too much about it.

I go for the Etymotic earbuds for my iPod. I've tried the Bose and Sony noise canceling ones and they're okay but I think the Etymotic is better. I also have a pair of Audio Technica titanium earbuds that I keep on hand for when I don't want something stuffed all the way down my ears.

I couldn't travel without the Altec Lansing inMotion speakers. It easily fills a hotel room with acceptable quality sound, plus it charges the iPod as well.

The niftiest gadget I have is a generic little box that allows me to go from the video output of my laptop to the Video in jacks on a tv, so that I can watch DVDs on TV rather than on my laptop's relatively tiny screen. I then pump the sound through the inMotion speakers.

Last but not least, I do watch DVDs on my laptop when in the air. Much better than trying to be entertained by the airlines' offerings. So I have a Targus power converter for those rare times that I fly business class and can plug in for power on the plane.

[Vance @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I totally agree with the noise-cancelling earbuds. Man, what a life-saver those things are.

Will there be times when you need to do basic word processing or spreadsheet tasks? Rather than lugging along a laptop, I'd pick up an AlphaSmart Dana. Instant-on, lightweight, solid-state, full keyboard. Runs thousands of Palm OS applications. It really is a beautifully designed tool. Best part: battery life of over 25 hours. It won't play DVDs or run Photoshop, but if you just have basic business needs, it's the perfect travel solution.

For me, I also got a waterproof bag. Depending on where you're going, it may not be a big deal. But for me--in rainy Taiwan--it's really a great thing to have. I have a Crumpler Super Snipe. Looks a little more casual and trendy than your normal business bag, but it's very durable.

[Jonathan Rockway @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I love my RadTech bluetooth mouse. It's very small, but very convenient. No wires or dongles needed :)

I have small hands, so it's my everyday mouse, as well.

http://www.radtech.us/Products/BT500.aspx

Oh, and why buy a flash drive if you have an iPod? Surely you're not using every last gig for music :) Just put it into disk mode, and put your files there. If you need to use it on Windoze machines, just format the thing on a Windows machine and re-sync your music. Works quite well here.

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

This year I've had the privilege of visiting London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. I already had the laptop, Treo 600, Blackberry, USB 2 flash reader, digital camera, and recently an MP3 player. But before I left the US, I bought an assortment of outlet converters at Radio Shack for about US$11. The set came with four converters, one for each electrical plug type in the world. Japan uses the same outlets as the US, so I didn't need that adapter, but the UK/Hong Kong and European adapters came in handy when I needed to power up in my hotel room.

A good set of headphones and an assortment of DVDs were a great way to pass the time on the 16-hour flight back from Asia. If in-flight WiFi ever takes off, all my entertainment needs will be covered.

[david ankers @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Gadgets:
- laptop
- phone (Nokia 6310i) with special backplate for two SIM cards, one is office card and other is personal card this allows me to switch the office off but still take personal calls. Can only have one card "on" at a time but when "off" my personal number is set to forward to office number, so my wife always uses personal number
- Palm (TT)
- iPod mini
- camera (Casio Exilim) depending on destination

During many years of frequent travelling I have sought the smallest+lightest bits & pieces. Only recently have I been able to use USB ports on my laptop (was on NT) so have recently bought some new stuff (probably saved shave a few grammes!). The extending cables are a great improvement. The current arrangement is as follows.

Bag 1, for short trips in Europe
- power block & cable with European 2 pin plug which is good for most of Europe & Asia (had to cut some plastic away from cable to fit the 3pin socket on the power block)
- UK adapter (ingenious piece of plastic with prongs to push aside the shutters protecting the live contacts, the cable pokes through holes in the plastic)
- spare phone battery
- laptop to phone data cable
- extending phone cable (RJ45) with adapter for UK, 2 double sockets(2F>F 2F>M) and 1 reverser (all of which helpful when trying to connect to some hotel switchboards)
- extending USB-Palm hotsync cable
- extending USB cable with changeable tips for Palm (charge only) and phone
- extending USB-iPod cable
- Sandisk SD card reader & short USB cable
- spare SD card
- a Kensington security cable in case the hotel safe is too small

Bag 2, for longer trips
- adapters from Euro 2 pin to US & Australia sockets, I have a set bought in Singapore which are not much larger than the prongs of the plug (this is why I use the 2 pin cable)
- aircraft power adapter with USB socket so can be used to recharge any of my stuff
- noise cancelling earbuds are essential for sleeping on a plane, I have a Sony pair
- spare battery for earbuds
- adapter from aircraft sound system to normal headphone socket so I can get benefits of NR with in-flight entertainment
- a 2pin-USB adapter + 2nd set of adapters allows me to charge a second device indepedently of laptop OR leave the laptop behind when I am holiday
- USB mini-mouse with extending cable, better than the stick thing in my laptop keyboard for working on PowerPoint

Plus, if I am taking the camera
- spare battery & extra SD cards
- base station, power block & cable (I wish I could charge the camera from USB but it has an odd socket)

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I travel about 100-150k miles per year. I have a small case meant for toiletries that I keep all the cables, adapters and misc. stuff I need on the road, so that I can just automatically toss it into my suitcase each week without needing to think too much about it.

I go for the Etymotic earbuds for my iPod. I've tried the Bose and Sony noise canceling ones and they're okay but I think the Etymotic is better. I also have a pair of Audio Technica titanium earbuds that I keep on hand for when I don't want something stuffed all the way down my ears.

I couldn't travel without the Altec Lansing inMotion speakers. It easily fills a hotel room with acceptable quality sound, plus it charges the iPod as well.

The niftiest gadget I have is a generic little box that allows me to go from the video output of my laptop to the Video in jacks on a tv, so that I can watch DVDs on TV rather than on my laptop's relatively tiny screen. I then pump the sound through the inMotion speakers.

Last but not least, I do watch DVDs on my laptop when in the air. Much better than trying to be entertained by the airlines' offerings. So I have a Targus power converter for those rare times that I fly business class and can plug in for power on the plane.

[Andrew Yeomans @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

...or similar live-CD. You can get back your laptop data when everything else has failed, and run your presentation from the CD. Or fix your colleague's system. And if that doesn't work, you can still play Frozen Bubble from the CD.

[Thomas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

As for the WiFi access point, have a look at the new WiFlyer (www.wiflyer.com), which works with analog phone connections. Neat for hotels.

Otherwise, for entertainment, Audible audio books, which play on the iPod, are hard to beat if you like books at all.

Thomas

[Jase @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Also, if you use Excel much, grab one of those USB numberpads that also works as a standalone calculator. Fantastic idea and much quicker for data entry than the laptop keyboard.

[fabienne @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

i bet the average engadget reader is male, but maybe some women are reading this comment section so here are my two cents (for guys too):
--someone above mentioned only getting to charge a laptop in business class, but there are many airline carriers (domestic and intl) that have some seats in coach with chargers under the edge of the seat. you can use online seat locaters (i prefer seatguru.com) to see where power plugs are found in coach for the airline you're using.
--bring a change of clothes ladies. if your luggage is lost you'll want more than a toothbrush and razor that guys bring along. transfer your facewash to a small leakproof container, bring some makeup in your carry on.
--upload important presentations / data to your own server. sometimes even your flash drives/ipods/knoppix boot cds get stolen.
--when travelling to a country you haven't travelled to before, look up how to dial out, where to rent temp cell phones, where to get country based sim cards, look up this stuff before you leave.
--voip rocks. get yourself on a voip plan that allows you to jump on any dhcp (or even static ip, figure out how to reset your voip box via touch tone before leaving) anywhere in the world. just be sure to take a small (analog!) phone that is portable, non powered, and some adapters to power your voip box. also figure out how to serve up some dhcp from your laptop when it is wifi-ing. this can be handy to get yourself some non-expensive phone minutes when on airport wifi and such. plus you'll wow the tech guy next to you that thought you were just another grungy college girl touring the world.
--bring a pair of flip flops (thongs, sandals whatever you call them in your part of the world). living in heels is never fun.
--dark sunglasses double wonderfully as sleep aids instead of sleep masks.
--triband or quadband cell phone.
--melatonin. be sure to bring your own, it's not sold in france for example.
--small happy laptop. macs have a suite of power adapters that snap onto the square style power blocks.
--vitamins, water and prescriptions, bring extra. you never know when you'll be stuck somewhere for an extra couple of days due to a snowstorm or unfortunate incident.
--credit/debit card with a 4 digit pin code with no zeros or repeating numbers. note that many credit cards have to be "unlocked" for intl use and some don't work abroad. call your company.
--extra business cards and / or an easy personal / prof. web addy.

[ChzPlz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

My single most used gadget is a BlackBerry 7510. Instant email anywhere you can get a cell signal without having to open my notebook, decent sized qwerty keyboard for taking quick notes, excellent battery life, good cell phone, the best speakerphone I've ever seen on a mobile, and a decent enough sized screen for looking things up on the web.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Nice ideas, especially the Shure E3C's or Etymotic; The only people still using noise canceling sets are the ones that haven't tried these. Don't forget an adaptor for the inflight audio system.

A quad-band GSM phone with calendar, contacts, and if you can swing it, email. TREO (650 now?)is nice, Backberry (7290?) also. Also check out the mpx220 when it comes out this month (no email). Include a high-quality noise canceling Bluetooth headset. Skip the PDA's with phones, they're WAY too big.

Even if the they're not "gadgets" pharmacuticals are nice to. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), helps you sleep on long overseas flights and noisy hotel rooms with bad beds. Also throw in the ususal assorment of asprin, Imodium Advanced, and chap stick (aircraft air is really dry).

Last, get a nice wheeled bag (Briggs and Riley, etc.) for everything and NEVER check check it.

...msg

[AK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I've been traveling with my laptop for the past four years. I bring my laptop home every day and travel once to twice a month for at least a few days at a time.

I use a laptop because I can carry everything with me, not because I can work anywhere. I'll still use a desk to work and rarely open it up in an airport or in a plane.

Keep it light and simple.

I have the following "gadgets":
- Three of the same mouse. One for home, one for work, and one in my travel bag. Not having to worry about packing them and having spares makes it worth the money. Having the same mouse keeps the "feel of working" the same so I don't get frustrated.

- Three power adapters. Same reasons as above. I did spend more money on those capable of mutliple currents so I don't need to worry about wattage requirements. Get the two prong version over the three.

- Smartphone. To keep appointments, contact information, and notes with you at all times without having to open the laptop.

- Comfortable bag. I use a Kensignton Saddle bag as it has plenty of space for the laptop, pens + stuff, and work materials. It quickly goes from a shoulder bag to a backpack so I carry it comfortably.

- Blank CDR: I always backup important files onto a CDROM. In case something happens to my computer on the road, I can pop in the CD on someone elses computer and keep doing business. I presume you laptop will have a CD Burner.

- CD/DVD carring case: just carry the media, not the pamplets and plastic cd cases. Lighter is better.

I'm not ready to recommend USB Flash drives. I have used one to transfer files from my computer to another machine and keep running into driver compatibility issues.

The other gadgets like headphones, music players, and video entertainment is up to your preferences. I stay away from them because it just adds weight (gadget, cables, media, batters, etc). When I get to my location I tend to explore the area rather than stay couped up in the hotel room.

[SOF @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I didn't discover Netflix until late in my travelling career, which is a pity. Rent the DVDs before you go, watch the movies on your laptop or Personal DVD player, and bring the envelopes with you so you can send them back from wherever you are. Even basic membership can keep you happy for most trips.

[John Davd Stutz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

One absolutely critical gadget that everyone seems to have overlooked:

An umbrella.

Did ya ever arrive at a location in a suit and a downpour began?

[Choiski @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I always pack a power strip now; most hotels only have 1 or two available plugs in convenient places. Or you can bring one of those cheap cord doublers (which are handy for those plug transformers too!)

I second (or third) the iGo juice. Worked great when I carry the PowerBook, but it has no adapters for my Dell 600m! >:O.

[saleh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

From the focus of this site, you probably like gadgets, but when you buy anything for travel, look at the weight and size. Power adapters add up; you can end up carrying several pounds of them if you aren't careful. Several of my favorites are already listed above, but I've added a few more.

High-quality laptop case - the better cases use lighter and stronger materials. I've used a Brenthaven for 3 years, and it looks almost like new.

iGo charger, plus 3-way splitter - only one charger can charge laptop, phone and gameboy, plus power speakers. Be aware that they have a "Power Tip R" to power your USB-powered devices.

Lithium AA batteries for battery-powered devices - a few spare sets of lithiums is lighter than a charger. If you use NiMH batteries, you have to carry them back with you.

Portable speakers - Several manufacturers make decent ones. I have the Creative travel speakers, which use the same voltage/plug as a Nokia cellphone, so the iGo can power them. I had some NXT speakers for a while, but they sounded awful.

Car cassette adapter - In rent cars, FM transmitters (e.g. iTrip) may or may not work; a cassette adapter is generally a better option.

Headphones (for flight) - Etymotic ER4-P, or similar in-ear phones.

S-video to composite adapter and short cable - Many hotel TVs now have composite-in on the front; use your laptop as a DVD player.

DVD Decrypter + Nero ImageDrive - As many DVDs as your hard drive can hold, but with no additional weight.

ISO Images of your OS, Office software... - There's little need to carry a stack of CDs; just mount with ImageDrive or burn a CD.

Cables - at least a retractable RJ45 cable, plus a crossover adapter. The crossover adapter will let you plug two machines back-to-back to quickly set up an ad-hoc network.

USB Keys - They're cheap and light, take a few. I generally carry 4 or so 64 MB keys (so if I leave it behind, its no big deal) plus a 1 GB key.

Medication - International only. It is amazingly easy to find a pharmacy or grocery store close to most domestic hotels.

Power adapter - again, international only.

Do NOT take - umbrella, power strip, more than 2 or 3 blank CDs... Just take your credit card; you can buy this kind of stuff when you get there.

One thing I do that isn't for everyone -- instead of the optical drive in my laptop, I have a 80GB hard drive. I generally have 10 DVDs and a dozen or so CD ISOs. If I need to copy data to another machine, I use a USB key (or a network).

[Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

I always carry:

* ibuprofen
* wipes (baby wipes work well)
* eye mask; idiotic looking, but essential. I like Eagle Creek's: .
* a small woolen hat -- seriously
* energy bar(s); next time you get to the hotel at midnight, fifteen minutes after room service closed, you'll thank me.
* everything in small bags
* colored velco ties for cables
* umbrella, smallest possible
* "to read" folder -- for articles, catalogs, etc.

As has already been suggested, NetFlix is great for travelling, as long as you remember to bring along the mailers.

I myself don't listen to music much, so the Etymonics' passive noise cancellation isn't as effective for me as plain earplugs (I always carry a handful of them -- Howard Leight MAX are the best I've found, with an NRR of 33). I use the Bose second gen. headphones without the cord but they're only okay, and outrageous at $300. I'm waiting patienty for hearing aid-style active noise cancelling earplugs.

Further notes:

Join every reward program there is, but try to use only one airline/car rental agency/hotel chain.

Never check baggage: ever. You lose time at check-in, you lose time at arrival, you lose flexibility to change routes at the last minute, you lose your luggage.

Treat Travelopolis (the airport + airlines + car rental + hotels + travel agencies, etc.) as a system or network. You're a packet in the network. It doesn't pay to get mad at the ticket agent or whoever (rookie rookie mistake); packets don't get mad at nodes that are down, they just re-route. Fly into an adjacent airport (e.g., Milwaukee if O'Hare is shut down), use another airline, whatever. Work the system.

Treat Lines (Queues) As Errors. If your flight gets cancelled, don't stand on the "customer service" line; call the 800 number. Lines at security? Find out if there's a connected terminal with a shorter line. Find a ticket agent and beg to be allowed to cut because your flight is leaving in 10 minutes. (Only if it is, of course.)

If you fly a lot, beg, borrow or steal a club room membership -- Crowne Room Club (Delta), Red Carpet Club (United), etc. Delta's has free drinks and TMobile wireless. Plus they're quiet and comfortable and the agents there tend to be senior, which is critically important -- they know Travelopolis and can help you.

[Tony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Wow! You are all my hero. I don't feel alone anymore. I have found my family. I am home!

Ok! Only stuff that hasn't already been mentioned. (which is tough)...

- Goodlink (with a Treo 600). This is the ONLY phone email service that is comparable to the Blackberry, (updates your email in realtime - aka 'push').

- There is ONLY one ultralight laptop (in the entire laptop world) that is also a serious PC gaming machine. "Sony S170": 4 lbs, Radeon 9700. (The next lightest option is shy of 7 lbs. Forget it!)

- Gameboy SP +(Tetris, Bomerman, then graduate to Advance Wars)

- Lik-Sang Compact Flash Movie Player for Gameboy: You will have the ONLY 5oz movie palyer with a 15 hour battery life.

- Pentax Optio S4i: The smallest, lightest decent camera IMO. 4MP, 3x Zoom, Fits in an Altiods can. HCIT.

- Slip-on shoes with no metal. Makes airport security a breeze.

- T-Mobile Hotspot Account: Can't live without WiFi.

- Apple Airport Express: Pocket Wireless Network for hotel rooms. (was that mentioned?)

- Oh! and a Starbucks Card.

[Rafael Illan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

Since your traveling a lot by car Get a Valentine 1 radar.Its a hefty $400 smackers. but you can avoid nasty speeding tickets
also you might wanna buy an Auto adapter for your laptop so you can charge your laptop on your car

In anycase Pioneer and Alpine are selling ipod adapter to use in their new dash cd recievers

take care and succese

[Justin Mason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:05AM]

for my part, I'll second the Gameboy Advance recommendation! a charged GBA SP has enough battery power to last from west coast US to Europe with the backlight off, I've found, which beats any laptop I've had. and big, ear-covering headphones are great for blocking all that ambient noise.

oh, re: "never check your baggage" -- ah, the classic US traveller, with waaaay more hand luggage than required. bear in mind that that advice helps in the US, but in Europe, they don't go for that kind of space-wasting and you'll wind up with that stuff under your feet and more uncomfortable on the flight than ever. ;) Also, I've never lost my baggage in a european airport. (yet.)