💎 #13: Travel Hacks

There are 82 games in an NBA REGULAR season, which means a guaranteed 41 road games. This number does not include training camp, preseason, or playoffs. However, from October until potentially June we are constantly on the move. I think this part of the job was the most brutal adjustment (especially coming off of Covid shutdown). I had to do some learning on how to adjust, get my body mentally, emotionally, and physically in shape…and I had to do it fast. I won’t lie – it took me some trial and error to figure out the best routine and schedule, and I’m also grateful for some of our vets (both players and staff) who helped to guide me along the way.

I wanted to share a few travel hacks that helped me through the season. In the world of remote and hybrid working, these can become extremely valuable. These also can be helpful for my folks who sometimes feel like they need a vacation from their vacation when they do utilize PTO or have family travel excursions.

1. Nap on flights. 3am arrival times WILL weigh on you quickly and no one appreciates the zombie walking into work at 9:30am the next morning.
2. Hydrate. All of the travel will drain you. If someone offers you water, take it!
3. Utilize packing cubes. Invest in them ASAP.
4. Make sure you have your portable electronic charging pack. Even if you are the responsible being who always stays fully charged, someone else can benefit from it.
5. Be a snack bandit. You will never catch me with something in my bag. I am a self admitted hoarder of plane and/or meal room snacks.
6. Keep a stocked toiletry bag. No one has time to find the items for quick turnaround flights. No one [re: me] wants to have to go to CVS/Walgreens on every trip because I forgot something. Have your bag packed and ready to go.
7. Portable steamers are clutch.
8. For my POC…satin pillow cases are a life saver.
9. Bring your own blanket (and pillow). Some planes have them. Some don’t. Also in the age of covid, I’m really not interested in sharing with someone from a previous flight (or ten).
10. It’s the travel seat buddy for me. I’m a creature of habit and my seat buddy and I had unofficial staff meetings, family catch up sessions, world news updates, and life lessons. My seat buddy became family on the 30+ flights we took together.

You can find links to some of the aforementioned items HERE, under the travel + packing section.