I checked into my hotel today, got settled in and took a nap.  Since I had flown all night, I was tired, and hoping to grab at least a few hours of sleep.
I crawled into bed, and slept soundly till the alarm went off a couple hours later.  When I awoke, even though it was mid-day at my location, the room was still dark.  I could easily have gone back to sleep, were it not for commitments requiring me to get up and get moving.
As I got up and got going, I discovered the reason the room was still dark …read more

Marriott International is the latest hotel chain to switch to a smoke free environment in all guest rooms and common areas.
Responding to guests who complain about the lingering smell of smoke in the room, the policy goes into effect in September and will apply to all hotels with the Marriott brand (Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Renaissance, Courtyard, and Fairfield Inn).

Flight Attendants hate delays just as much as passengers.  We, too, like to get home, or to our destination, on time every bit as much as everyone else.  But if you travel often enough, you realize that it just isn’t going to happen all the time.
Unfortunately, delays are an inevitable part of travel.  Whatever the reason (mechanical, weather, ATC holds, etc.), it means extra time spent at an airport.  Rarely is than fun or relaxing.
Since delays are going to happen, however, it’s always preferable to be at an airport with amenities to help make your wait as pain-free as possible.  …read more

I first read about the Lights Out Sleep Mask on Inflight HQ.
I didn’t give it a second thought at the time, because it didn’t seem particularly different, or even interesting.  Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of sleep masks:  simple, tasteful black ones, vibrantly colored and patterned designer ones, and everything in between.
Although I have a simple sleep mask, I’ve never used it.  It seems that I can sleep under most any conditions.  But those people who require darkness to sleep absolutely swear by a sleep mask and always travel with one.
On a recent flight I saw someone using …read more

I’ve always felt that napping well was an art form, whether it’s a ten-minute catnap, a twenty-minute power nap or a two-hour rendezvous with REM sleep.
Because my job frequently has me flying when other people are sleeping, and vice versa, I have come to rely on the recuperative powers of a nap.  It is an integral part of my day to day travel experiences.   A nap refreshes me, calms me, gives me energy. 
I rarely plan when I’m going to take a nap, much preferring just to let the mood come upon me.  Now, however, there is all sorts of talk …read more