As you may be interviewing for internships and traveling to visit your companies of choice I have a few lessons to share from my recent travels. Hope they save you some travel headaches!
•1) Never fly through Chicago in the winter
One of the nation's busiest airport + winter weather = canceled flights! I've recently experienced this first hand which leads me to my next tip…
•2) Never check your luggage
Pack your stuff in carry on-sized luggage. If you get stuck or rerouted you will really appreciate have a change of clothes and deodorant with you!
•3) If you're stuck in an airport claim a power outlet and hold on to it!
Most airports have limited outlets but I'm not above sitting on the floor if I can find an outlet! You'll usually see a cluster of power cords and cell phone chargers on the floor you know you've hit the outlet jackpot! The best place to charge your laptop in the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport is a massage chair with a power outlet (of course it's not free!). Maybe they should call it the "Charge/Recharge Chair?"
•4) Get chatty!
Use your down time on airplanes and in airports as a way to make connections. You never know who you might meet. In the past few months I've met a guy who test drives cars for a living; he loves the autobahn and did the Baja 1,000 in a Volvo! I also met a guy who does security assessments for government buildings and military bases…important stuff! I've met some new connections from Microsoft, HP, and Apple too. I'm a Recruiter and I love to hear about what people do for a living and what excites them about their jobs. Even if you don't make a potential new contact at the very least it's a great way to be entertained!
I wish you safe travels!