Episode 01: Traveling (AirFare)
In this “episode” I talk about how to get an exit row, how to pack when traveling (what to wear vs what to pack) and the best backpack to use while traveling.
Use this at your own risk, but whenever I travel, I refuse to pay for an upgraded seat (exit row) when the plane was designed for the 5 foot 10 inch person. Instead of getting upset about this, I simply get to my gate early (and sober for all you worried flyers) and ask the gate attendant, “I saw this was a pretty full flight. Are you looking for any volunteers to sit in the exit row and forfeit their original seat?” Half of the time, they will say yes and upgrade you immediately (just based on your height). Part of the time they will respond with a “let me see what I can do, I will get back to you shortly.” And very rarely do I get a “no.” If you received a “maybe,” make sure to stay within eyesight of the person you asked. I traveled this past weekend and received a maybe, 5 minutes before we started boarding, I was granted an exit row seat. There are other ways to go about attaining an exit row seat, but this way has worked for me time and time again. Just remember, kindness goes way further than bitterness. Most of the time, even if its a no, a flight attendant will upgrade you just based on comfort.
My favorite backpack that has become my daily life saver can be found here. For me, being able to wear one pair of shoes on any trip is not ideal. This backpack enables me to wear one pair, pack one pair, and still leaves room for things like my laptop, cords, and 3 oz hygiene materials. This backpack is not only a game changer for its size, but also its fit. the straps allow simplistic adjusting that compensates for whatever your are carrying. As a tall person, most backpacks look comically small on my back. This backpack looks completely normal when viewed by a normal eye. It has worked as a carry on item for me since the day first traveled with it. 10/10 highly recommend for my tall family.
Thank you for bearing with me and making it this far. Now that you know how to claim an exit row, and which bag may best suit your size, its time to discuss packing. Tip number 1: rolling clothes (Minus dress shirts) is an art form that we all NEED to master when traveling. I once fit everything but my pants inside one shoe within my backpack. Yes, you read that correctly. Rolling up your clothes, packing items inside your shoe, and packing those shoes inside of your bag has worked wonders for me. When clothes are rolled correctly, you do not even need to iron them upon wearing them (unless they were wrinkly to begin with). I have had issues rolling up dress shirts. The long sleeves and sharp collars tend to give me great difficulty. Because of this, I just fold them like they do in fancy stores and try to pack them so they remain flat.
Last but not least!! This is the most important factor when checking a bag: Wear your heaviest clothes, pack your lightest. I once traveled the airport in snow boots and two sweatshirts just to avoid going over the weight limit (again, designed for the average person’s clothes) of checking a bag. This is not the most comfortable way to travel, but you will get the most bang for your dollar out of it.
I am working on a podcast with some fellow gentle giants and will upload underneath upon completion. Thank you!
