This year’s big vacation is a trip to Detroit. Now you’re probably asking “Why Detroit? Isn’t it a dump?” Well, maybe so, but it has a couple of advantages. First, I’ve never been there before. Changing planes at the airport doesn’t count. Second, it’s home to a major league baseball team – so I can take in a game or two. And finally, there are direct flights from my local airport to Detroit. Put it all together, and it makes a little sense.

As always, I’m going to pad my post count as much as possible.

So before I arrive in the “Motor City”, my tips on packing and other travel-related stuff.

The weather might turn out to be something other than you expect. So bring a few things that you would want to have just in case. An umbrella. A hat. A t-shirt or jacket. You get the idea. Don’t go crazy; just be pragmatic about it. And bring an extra pair of socks and underwear, too – just in case.

Speaking of socks and underwear, those clear plastic zippered food storage bags are your best friends. So you don’t have little loose things rattling around your suitcase, bag them. Socks in one, underwear in another, toiletries and personal hygiene in another…. They let you keep things organized, and let the security people see what you’ve packed without their having to rummage through your stuff (if your suitcase is picked for personal inspection).

I also make a habit of sticking a few envelopes in there. One to store all the receipts that I’ll get, one for the cash I’ll want to have on the trip back…. Yes, almost everything uses credit cards these days, but you do NOT want to be running to that ATM with a usurious fee because you ran out of money for the taxi getting you home from the airport. Look, I always want to have some cash on or with me – it makes too much sense and I’m used to it. Also, figure out your tip for your hotel cleaning staff ahead of time ($5 per person per night; $10 if it’s a super luxury hotel; add more if you have any special requests from the staff or accidentally make a mess) and put that in its own envelope. There was a time in my youth where tips were a very important part of my family’s income – now that I can afford it, I tip generously because I know what it’s like to need that extra money. Look, don’t be That Person. Leave a little something for the staff that cleans up after you. They may be on the hotel payroll, but they don’t get paid nearly enough to compensate for the crap they get from other guests.

Earplugs are also your friends, if you’re not going to stick buds in your ears and listen to podcasts or other things on the flight. Airplanes can be noisy; protect your hearing and maybe take a nap.

If I have to change planes, I make sure there’s about an hour and a half between flights. Who wants to run around the terminal, looking for the departure gate of your next flight, while praying that your luggage makes it on board, too? Leave a little time for contingencies – and you can stretch your legs, grab a nosh, use the bathroom…. For similar reasons, don’t schedule anything for the same day that you arrive.

I travel light, and have no problem with paying a bit to have my one piece of luggage checked. So I really do get ticked off by all those people with their overstuffed little suitcases that they try to cram into the overhead bins while blocking the aisle on the plane. Especially when all I’m bringing on board is a tote bag with my travel documents, wallet, and personal electronics. Unfortunately, there’s no method of passenger boarding and disembarking that works in all cases (but it would be nice if, after all the “upper class” passengers get on or off, the people WITHOUT carry-on luggage got to go next…..).

Right, that’s enough for now. I won’t have anything to say until I actually DO get to Detroit…..