What will they think of next?
I recently polled some of my WOWees inquire about their favorite “stuff” that they never travel without. Got some great ideas. But first … I’ll share some positively stupid ideas!
- Clockwise, from top left: Eeeuuuww!: “Pee Pocket?” (you’ve got to be kidding!); “TV Hat” – Holds your phone at the end of its exceptionally large brim with shades to block the light (If you can’t travel without TV, you should stay home!); Commuter Hat prevents head bobbing on the subway; Wearable Sleeping Bag (show this to the front desk clerk and they’ll most certainly let you check-in early!)
And then there are some good ideas that I’ll personally never use . . .
Clockwise, from top left: Inflatable headrest (it’s gotta be bulky!); WiFi t-shirt (glows when you get a strong signal – but might attract unwanted attention!); Ostrich Pillow (I might try this at the office!); Kickboard Luggage Scooter (no more running to my gate, but I’m too old for this!)
And then there are a few that are borderline genius – but will never get any traction with travelers:
Clockwise, from top left: Hmmm … a Female Urinal? – could be handy at times (and far preferable to a Pee Pocket!); Pillow Hat (don’t you hate it when your pillow shifts when you’re sitting upright in an airline seat?); Flying Car? (wonder if I could get some extra miles out of my Audi TT?)
But seriously …. here’s my short list of the best travel inventions of all time:
- Suitcases with wheels (remember when there wasn’t such a thing?)
- BOSE Noise-Cancelling Headsets (I never travel without them)
- Non-smoking policies (hard to imagine that it wasn’t always this way!)
- Internet (a mixed blessing … since it’s nearly impossible to completely unplug…)
- Global Entry
And here are more suggestions, in no particular order, from the best travelers in the world, my WOWees!
- Vacuum bags for packing (yeah, I love these, too!)
- Luggage scale
- Bluetooth speakers
- In-flight movies on demand
- Hand sanitizer
- Travel towel or Cool-It towel
- Travel apps and GPS
- iPad/Kindle
- Wrinkle-free clothing
- Tilly hats
- Airbnb
- Trip Advisor
- Premium economy seating
- Voltage valet power strip
And the most creative suggestion from a veteran WOWee: “How about Gabriel?” 😉
. . . referring to Gabriel Haigazian, my VP Operations and Miracle-Worker-re-All-Things-Travel-(Especially-Airline-Stuff). Couldn’t agree more … except to add the other wonder workers on the CTP operations team: Howard Wise and Whitney (Merritt) Chen, with back-up from our utility player, Deborah Spangler-Welch.
The CTP “Dream Team” – the greatest travel invention … EVER!
Couldn’t do any of it without ’em!
What’s YOUR favorite travel invention?
9 Comments
Jim Gerwick May 22, 2015 at 2:28pm
Since nobody has been able to get rid of the TSA, I will settle for nominating the iphone.
Connie May 22, 2015 at 2:29pm
I never get on a plane without my travel neck pillow.
Scott Gibb May 22, 2015 at 2:45pm
Snacks, always snacks.
Marilyn May 23, 2015 at 6:42pm
Jerky, always jerky. [I mean BEEF Jerky – not you, my dear husband 🙂 !! ]
LuAnne Center May 22, 2015 at 3:15pm
Rubbermaid’s sink stopper
Deborah May 23, 2015 at 2:55am
Zip locks and my blow up pillow
Hilda Haigazian May 23, 2015 at 7:02am
I used the scooter for 2 months it is great I am bringing it on the cruise, you are not too old to use lol.
love the pee pocket going to buy some I have the go girl and was very handy in China but disposable is much better
joann y June 1, 2015 at 9:49pm
Velcro strap slip on shoes. Speeds up TSA when someone is on your behind. Also my hip replacement card. Doesn’t get me thru the line any faster but I just like the look the TSA people give me. Very entertaining.
Chrissy July 2, 2015 at 2:53pm
You obviously have never been on an airplane with urine on the ground after flying for 10 hours and getting your skirt or your pants wet!
I use the Pee pocket for my tran-scontinental flights from New York to LA. I truly never travel without a Pee pocket in my purse…