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Lost my iPod Nano

I have got to learn not to use the seat pocket in front of me on a plane.  I left my iPod Nano on a flight last month and didn’t notice in time to get it back.  To date, I’ve lost two pairs of glasses, a pda (several years ago), and a Nano.  Good grief, how hard could it be to remember to check that pocket?  My excuse is that I’m tired from long hours traveling — which of course is no real excuse.

The good news is the Nano was an older version that didn’t hold much.  The last time I bought an audiobook I had to shuffle out half the playlist to make enough room.  I’m surprised the battery still worked, now that I think about it.

So!  The next night I stopped at BestBuy on the way to my hotel and bought a replacement.  The new 3rd generation Nanos are great!  I ended up getting the Apple iPod nano 8GB in Silver. You can get them with less memory (4Gb) but I went for 8Gb — it’ll be quite a while before I need to rotate out files to make room for new ones.  It also has a couple games and a much nicer display.

The downside: since the shape’s different I had also buy a new neoprene ipod armband for my workouts.  No big deal.  I found this one at Buy.com and love it.  It’s comfortable and sturdy, and comes with a keeper for the excess cords.

So, I have a nano I like now.  But I would have preferred to choose the timing instead of having it forced on me.   I will not use the seat pocket again.  I will not use the seat pocket again.  I will not use the seat pocket again.  (at least, until I forget yet again)

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Resources

Reducing Business Travel: Upcoming Trend

I posted last week about using web conferencing to reduce business travel.  It turns out that was a timely suggestion.

• A study released today by American Express says 60% of “midmarket firms” will cap spending for meetings and business travel. 
• TravelWeekly reports that in last week’s ITB forum in Berlin, Andrea Zimmerman recommended travel managers get more justification before approving trips.  Ms. Zimmerman cited both “green” issues like CO2 emissions AND business benefits like productivity gains.

In a time of economic downturns, it’s reasonable to think for a moment before we travel. 

I am not suggesting we try to do business without face-to-face meetings.  Personal relationships are important in business, and some conversations (and work) should definitely occur at the client’s site.  Other meetings often really only need one person physically present, if even that. 

So why do we still automatically fly out?  I think many of us don’t realize how the more advanced web conference features can help us lead a solid, interactive discussion.  If we did, we might push harder to pack our suitcases less.

My recommendation:  take a few minutes to learn your company’s web conference software.  There’s probably a demo or tutorial available — it’s worth giving up 30 minutes of your time.

If your company doesn’t have a conference vendor, you can get a WebEx free trial

You should definitely spend time with the customer when it matters, but if it’s just a routine status call (or if another key person can be on-site) ask yourself if you can be as effective remotely.

Safe travels.

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Tips

Sleeping on a Plane: Eye Mask Review

Last month I wrote about Sleeping on a Plane, and mentioned I like a gel-filled mask.

I’ve changed my mind.

A friend convinced me to try the Lewis N. Clark eye mask last week.  My gel mask now lives in the far back of my closet.

The Lewis N. Clark mask (pictured at right) is a simple design.  I found it to be softly padded without being heavy like some brands.  The adjustable elastic strap held it securely in place.

Most importantly, I didn’t have light peeking in under the edges.

The customer reviews out on eBags give it high marks, and at $14.99 for a set of 2, the price is hard to beat. 

If you’re trying to sleep on an international flight you might also look at their TSA-approved locks (I usually don’t bother with locks for domestic flights). 

And of course, if you’re traveling with the laptop you’ll want to make sure you have your power converters….

Safe travels.

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Transportation

Minneapolis Airport Tip: A free lounge to relax

Can you keep a secret?  After nearly 6 months’ travel through Minneapolis, I’ve just found a great new hideaway to wait out a layover.

Next time you’re in Minneapolis, look up when you pass Ike’s restaurant.  You’ll see an upper deck with some tables and black lounge chairs. 

I’ve noticed the chairs before, and that they were almost always empty.  I always thought the lounge was part of Ike’s and maybe wasn’t opened to customers very often. 

Guess what, this lounge has nothing to do with Ike’s.  It’s just a quiet place to sit and watch the world go by, with lots of space and very few other people competing for seats.  Last Friday I shared it with only two other travelers and the occasional airport employee. 

Now, for those of use with airline lounge access (through the airlines or via Priority Pass membership) this hideaway isn’t our only choice.  The airline lounges have snacks and beverages — a nice plus. 

Still, sometimes it’s nice to just have a quiet place to relax without anyone else around.  So keep this lounge in the back of your mind — but be careful how many people you let in on the secret.

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