compiled by Deborah Armstrong
With the summer convention nearly upon us, we thought it would be helpful to collect some ideas to make your travel easier. I would first like to tell you about scarves. In the summer, you don't want to tote around a load of heavy clothing, especially if the only cold gusts you'll encounter are on the air-conditioned plane. So I always pack a warm, fluffy scarf in my purse or laptop bag. And yes, guys, you too can wear scarves. Get something that wraps around your neck and head, because that's where we lose most of our body heat.
Meeting rooms can also be chilly, so a light sweater can live in your main suitcase to supplement that all-purpose scarf.
Many ACB leaders, despite years of independent travel, still choose to ask an airline employee to assist when transferring to a connecting flight. If they bring a wheelchair, which is often the case, you can have it tote your luggage while the person guiding you pushes your suitcase, and not you in that chair.
Michael Byington suggests you might consider accepting the chair. He points out that airport workers know how to move wheeled conveyances through crowded airports efficiently and may not be as skilled at guiding you through crowds. President Lewis taught her dog to run alongside the chair efficiently by giving it a bit more leash and hand signals to direct it when to turn.
If you use a guide dog, many leaders suggest you get information about the pet relief area inside the airport before you go. You can find this on most airports’ maps and use your favorite AI agent to describe the location to you. Or call the airport and write down the information so you can quickly get assistance if needed. Many airport workers may not know where the pet relief area is located, so having this information handy can save time.
Also remember that Aira is free at most major airports; they have maps they can consult to help you find pet relief, locate food, restrooms, and your connecting flight's gate.
Ardis Bazyn submitted these recommendations.
- Plan for delays. Bring snacks or sandwiches, water bottle (filled at the airport), and things to do — a book to read, notetaker to write, etc.
- Have flight times, flight numbers, numbers to call or links for changing flights if necessary. Customer service is swamped when there are delays, so if you can make the changes yourself, it helps.
- Bring a couple extra outfits in case you have to stay an extra day or have spills. She also brings at least one extra day of medication and vitamins.
I am a fan of reversible clothing because you can wear the dirty side next to your skin and get two days of wear out of each shirt or pair of pants — check travel websites for reversible travel clothing. They also sell packets of mild laundry detergent you can use in a hotel sink. Another cool travel innovation is inflatable hangers.
Frequent traveler and presenter on transportation Ron Brooks has a three-step approach to traveling with his guide. Step 1 is to check the paperwork. Air travel with a guide dog requires paperwork. The paperwork you’ll need to complete will depend on whether your flight is domestic or international, and on whether there are any flight segments of more than eight hours. Every airline handles its service animal paperwork a bit differently, so ensure you know the procedures on the airline you’re planning to use. And start early. Paperwork for domestic air travel can be completed at any time, but 48 hours in advance of the flight is recommended.
Ron's Step 2 involves planned packing. Depending on the nature and length of your trip, where you’ll be staying, and your preferences, you will need to make decisions about what to pack. Think about whether you plan to bring or buy your dog’s food upon arrival. You should also think about any supplies you might need, such as grooming equipment, dog boots for very hot, cold, or snowy weather, a mat for your dog’s comfort in a hotel room, tent, or wherever you happen to be sleeping, toys, any required medication, and of course, pick-up bags. Pro tip: if you travel often, get a second set of the supplies you plan to pack regularly; it saves time. And even if you choose to check your dog’s food or buy it upon arrival, bring two meals in your carry-on luggage, because no guide dog appreciates missing meals if the airline loses your bag. Same goes for required medications. Do not check them; they are more useful in your carry-on bag.
Ron's third step ensures your dog's mental health. He suggests you turn your travel day into one big happy habit. Travel days can be chaotic, and most dogs — and people — do not thrive in chaos. Here are a few tips he suggested for keeping things calm, cool, and collected:
- Pack as much as you can on the evening before travel. It reduces stress and the need to rush.
- Reduce the amount of food and water you give your dog on the morning of your trip. How much depends on your dog, on the length of your trip, and on your dog’s familiarity with travel.
- Give your dog lots of time in their favorite relief spot just before leaving for the airport. Air travel is unpredictable, and airport pet relief areas are not generally happy places for your dog, so give them a good last-minute break in familiar surroundings before you leave.
- Give your dog attention along the way. No matter how your trip is going, taking a few seconds to give your dog a pet will make both of you feel better.
- Limit interactions between other people and your dog. Air travel (even the part that involves lying at your feet or waiting in the departure lounge) represents work for your dog. Keep their work simple by limiting their interactions with other people.
- Pack your patience and sense of humor in your carry-on luggage. Whether it’s a poorly timed rideshare denial, a paperwork glitch at the airport, a flight delay, or something else, travel days can be stressful. Your dog will react to the stress you feel, so approach your day with curiosity, patience, and a sense of humor. And remember, the goal is getting there. Everything else is just noise.
Leaders besides Ron also focused on packing. Peter Heide suggests wrapping a rubber band around medication containers to ensure they won't pop open when your bag gets jostled. I use rubber bands to mark the outside doorknob on my hotel room so I can quickly ensure I'm at the right door.
I also use rubber bands if I need to keep matching clothes on hangers together. Another rubber band trick is to use one to wrap a shirt on a hanger around a shower curtain rod, so you can hang the shirt over the shower steam to quickly remove wrinkles.
If I need to mark the right side up for a hotel key card, I use a Band-Aid, which easily peels off when it's time to return the key card.
Most leaders agree medication needs to be stored in your carry-on, and to take full advantage of the two items you are allowed to bring on the plane. For example, if you normally carry a small backpack or purse, investigate the size limitations for your airline and possibly use larger bags if permitted; for example, substitute a large string bag for a purse or a larger laptop bag that can hold more than your computer. Don't forget to leave room for stuff you purchase to bring back home.
Pack a good pair of walking shoes – you’ll be doing a LOT of walking at the convention. Be sure you've already broken them in and that they have closed toes for your safety.
Remember to bring your sunscreen and bug spray, especially if you’re going on a tour. A sun hat is also useful. And for those who burn easily, sunburn ointment can help.
And whether you use a dog or not, pack an extra cane in your luggage.
We hope these tips, gathered from a group of frequent ACB travelers, will help keep the trip enjoyable.