Mask Mandate Archives

Travel is more than a physical journey.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Feb 21, 2021 | 0 comments

Many people will tell you that they want to travel and have spent years saving or planning for travel yet have not done it. Traveling is more than a physical journey; it takes a lot more mental effort than most people realize.

If you have yet to travel and have a strong desire, ask yourself why not? Often people that have finally made an effort to travel will forever be travelers. I have yet to find someone who has traveled and said, “never again.”

Travelers become addicted to the people, places, and experiences they have while traveling. They become more open-minded and able to challenge their beliefs and strengths. Many think travelers focus more on the destination. Still, at the core, the destination is never satisfying because they want to go somewhere else, they set a new goal, a new destination, and it never ends.

Travel goals mean little if a traveler does not consider the process of achieving the goal. Just like setting a plan to lose weight or getting through a job interview, mental preparation is often the key to success.

To achieve your travel goal, here are five questions to ask yourself,

Why do I want to travel?
Where do I want to go?
When do I want to get there?
How much effort am I willing to give?
What do I want to achieve by traveling?

I am sure that finding the answer to some, if not all, of these questions, will put you on a path to start traveling as you desire. The only way to start traveling is to do just that, start. Let me know if you find value in this piece; I’d like to know.

Five tips from a seasoned traveler.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Feb 17, 2021 | 0 comments

After twenty-three years as an international flight attendant and having lived and traveled on my own for many years, traveling has become second nature. However, it is not the same for many travelers, and it’s best to remember that airplanes are modes of transportation. Not all travelers have similar reasons for travel, so here are five of my tips to keep you grounded while traveling.

1. Unless you are traveling on a private jet, chances are the people around you aren’t traveling for the same reason. Your exuberance on your travel plans may be a bit annoying to your fellow traveler who may be going to a loved one’s funeral. Be mindful of others and pay attention to those around you.

2. Airline agents and flight attendants are people too. They are not there to serve you literally; their primary purpose is customer service and your safety. Everything else in between is simply a service provided by the airline or the flight attendant or gate agent’s kindness. Be respectful, and they will respect you in turn.

3. There is a saying, “you catch more flies with honey.” Flying often is a stressful time, and many people may act in ways that they usually would not. Offer grace to those who you may find annoying or intrusive. Many times, they are simply nervous and trying to find commonality with you. Remember that you probably will never see this person again, or they may live in your neighborhood.

4. Say thank you. It seems simple but showing appreciation can give you the most pleasant experience. I walk with Starbucks gift cards loaded with five or ten dollars. If an agent, flight attendant, or airport worker does something to be appreciated, show your appreciation. Remember that although you may do this a few times a year, airport workers do this every day and enjoy the recognition.

5. Be kind; it is merely the most gracious and inexpensive way to be a good human and an excellent traveler.

These ideas are not unique, but I know they are impactful after spending years in the travel industry. Do you have any tips? I’d love to hear them.

Five tips to claiming your space when traveling.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Feb 15, 2021 | 0 comments

I mentioned before about biases and microaggression often encountered by people of color while traveling. Even though I am an experienced traveler, I recently traveled and had some similar travel experiences, so I wanted to share my thoughts on how to feel more secure in your travel experience.

1.Keep in mind that you paid for the same privilege of travel no matter if you paid more or less than other travelers. Be mindful of others but always remember that your personal space is just that, and do not allow others to infringe upon your right.

2.If you have followed all the rules for the boarding process, know that you can take the time to put your items away and settle yourself in your seat. You should always give thought to the people behind you but remember the plane can’t leave until everyone is seated, so don’t feel obligated to rush because of an impatient traveler.

3.Storage space on an airplane is shared space, so feel free to place your items where there is space. Often travelers get quite flustered as the space above their seat is not available. So keep an eye out for storage space as you are going to your assigned row, and if you see that the space above your row is not vacant, feel free to use the overhead storage area before your seat or after. It is easier to retrieve your luggage when getting off the plane if it is in front of you rather than behind.

4.Try always to acknowledge your seatmates if they are already seated or if they sit after you. If they don’t respond, don’t be insulted, as this allows you to make sure you are being seen, even if not acknowledged. Many times, as travelers of color, there can be a perception that you don’t belong in a space. Claim your right and stand by it.

5. Finally, if you have paid for a specific seat, do not feel obligated to adjust to other traveler’s needs. It is thoughtful to help out if it fits your need but do not feel obliged to give up your seat to accommodate others, especially if your preference is not what has been offered as an alternative to you.

I hope these tips help for a more pleasant travel experience. Have you ever been made to feel as if you don’t belong when traveling? I’d love to hear about it.

Air Travel Realities.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Feb 11, 2021 | 0 comments

Airplanes take several trips a day, carrying hundreds of different passengers to a multitude of destinations. As a passenger, you are but one of the hundreds who travel in the lifespan of that airplane. Whether you are a world traveler or not, here are five things constant in air travel.

Leave your shoes on when flying on an airplane. Chances are you are sitting in a seat that many have sat in before you. There’s a strong possibility the person who sat before you may have spilled their drink at best, or at worst the contents of their stomach. It has been my experience that there is no deep cleaning of airplane carpets between trips, so please keep this in mind.

If you take an opportunity to visit a lavatory while on the airplane, you will most definitely want to keep your shoes on. The liquid you see on the floor, while most assume is water, is most definitely not.
Having your child or toddler crawl up and down the aisle or on the floor of an airplane is at worst unsanitary, not to mention unsafe. Not every passenger is child friendly or aware, and the likelihood of your child inadvertently becoming hurt or sick is more common than you realize.
Secure your items, especially the smaller objects. Items roll backward on takeoff and forward on landing. Things such as wallets, mobile phones, earbuds, or eyeglasses often go missing during these takeoffs and landings. The seatbelt sign will be on during takeoffs and landings, and you cannot search the airplane for your lost item. It is often left to the goodwill of your fellow passengers to return said items to you.
You should not only secure your small items but your valuable ones as well. The person sitting next to you is someone you perhaps have never met and probably will not see again. Trusting them to leave your purse in their care when you step away from your seat is a risk in itself. Flight attendants take on many roles but policing and investigating is not one of them.

Having flown thousands of trips over my flight attendant career, these are but a few of the circumstances I have encountered from a first-hand perspective. Are they any others you have experienced? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Five Tips for First-Time Flyers.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Feb 3, 2021 | 0 comments

Although airplane travel happens every day, the fear of flying for many is genuine, and there is even a name for it, Aerophobia. It is an anxiety disorder people experience when anticipating flying. After years of flying as an international flight attendant, I can safely say that the fear is real to many. However, I can also say that with over 23 years as a flight attendant, I have never had an airplane emergency other than sick passengers.

1.Every airplane traveler has a first time, whether it was years ago or a plan in the making. The angst you feel is widespread, and there are even courses given to first-time travelers. Jitters are normal, humans and flying do not go hand in hand, and the idea of being in the air with no control can be frightening.

2.Be excited about your destination and the plans you have made for your trip. Thinking of more pleasant thoughts can keep you from thinking of the idea of flying.

3.Make yourself comfortable for travel. Don’t overdress but be comfortable in your outfit. Make sure to charge your electronics fully. Many airplanes now have outlets for charging at the seats; all aircraft don’t have this capability. Choose music or videos you enjoy and have it already downloaded to your device. Wi-Fi is still incredibly expensive in flight and not always reliable.

4.Do not over medicate yourself for your anxiety. I can’t tell you the number of times passengers have gotten on my flight, taken a sleeping pill, and become incapacitated. Or worst to have drunk so much alcohol beforehand, they have become sick, belligerent, or denied boarding. It’s just not worth it.

5.Practice calming tricks like breathing or meditation beforehand. Let your flight attendant know that it is your first time flying. They are very experienced and will keep an eye on you and talk to you during the flight. Flight attendants are much happier to see you calm than anxious. More so, they will keep an eye on you, and you won’t feel so alone. Think of your flight attendants as friends, and they are so much more than waiters in the sky!

Have you experienced any first-time jitters? Let us know; we’d love to hear.

Why I Stayed at the St Regis Aspen.

by Donna Hunter PhD | Jan 31, 2021 | 0 comments

As I wrote in an earlier blog post, when planning a trip, there are many considerations. For me, staying at top tier hotels and resorts is an essential part of ensuring I have a pleasant travel experience. Here are the five reasons why my stay at St Regis Aspen, Colorado, did not disappoint.

1.Service was outstanding. When I landed at the airport, there was a hotel representative in baggage claim who took my bags, and I did not have to struggle with luggage from the airport to the hotel. At check-in, I was welcomed with an acknowledgment that it was a birthday trip. The hotel provided complimentary champagne that was delivered to my room the night before my birthday. I was presented with a box of macaroons and truffles at breakfast the morning of my birthday. From the front desk, the hotel staff, to the concierge, everyone seemed to know who I was and why I was there and made an effort to make sure I had a wonderful stay.

2.Car availability. The hotel offered a BMW 7 series for a 4-hour test drive period free of charge upon request as long as it was available. Usually, this service is provided once per stay, but due to COVID, it was available upon request and availability. I was able to use the car service twice during my stay, which was great considering I did not have to worry about car rental or parking.

3.Breakfast credit. Due to COVID and dining restrictions, the hotel offered a breakfast credit to dine in the hotel’s modified outdoor dining tent. I could have a full breakfast every day of the trip before my day of activities and a nice fluffy blanket to keep you warm while dining.

4.Airport shuttle. The hotel provided a shuttle service to the airport every thirty minutes, and the hotel personnel loaded my bags onto and off the shuttle from arrival to check-out. I did not have any concern with carrying my luggage to and from the hotel.

5.Heated pool and steam caves. After a day of snow activity, it was a pleasure to sink into the heated pool at the end of the day. The ability to be in the pool in the middle of winter with snowfall was an incredible experience and one I would thoroughly recommend.

Are there any hotels you love? I’d love to know, so drop me a line.