OK, we all agree that travel planning is a pleasure on its own. But just out of curiosity: assuming no visa or innoculation tie-ups, if someone handed you tickets to anywhere in the world for immediate use, how soon could you be packed and at the airport?
It will take me 1 minute to pick up my purse (with credit and ATM cards) and my passport. Anything else I need I can buy when I get there! Five minutes to arrange with my neighbor for cat sitting and newspaper and mail pick-up. One-half hour drive to the airport. Now, to find somebody who will give me the tickets! Are you offering Escritora?
Guest
<BR>Love this question! I've actually thought about it before! <BR> <BR>Provided the tickets are handed to me during banking hours, I'm ready to go. <BR>I keep my passport in the safe deposit box at the bank so I always know exactly where it is between trips. So as of right now (Sunday night and tomorrow is Labor Day), I would have to wait until Tuesday. Otherwise I'd be ready. <BR> <BR>I actually keep a partially packed suitcase: comfy black walking shoes that I wear only when travelling, the 6 pairs of black socks that I only wear with those shoes, 6 pairs of underwear, travel size toiletries, maps, about 10 GBP worth of 1 and 2 pound coins (I always bring some home to take next time, don't really know why), photocopies of passport and drivers license and etc., travel alarm, my black zippered organizer tote that I use as a purse/daybag, travel journal and pens, mini-sewing kit, and MORE!! <BR> <BR>After all, I use this stuff ONLY when I travel, and it is so hard to make myself unpack after a trip, so why not store the stuff in the suitcase, ready to go for next time? (Don't worry, I DO unpack the socks and undies, launder, and then toss them back in the suitcase). <BR> <BR>So, OK, call me crazy, I don't care. This ol' chick is ready to travel! <BR> <BR>
Great question: Since I already live with two wallets (one for the USA and one for travel), I'd grab my "foreign wallet" and pack it in my leather backpack that always accompanies me on trips. And then I have a black leather overseas diary/planner I must have on every trip - that would take five minutes to locate and pack. I could run up to the attic and get the roll-on bag I'd need in 5 minutes and probably pack in 20 minutes. So, let's say an hour to be generous to pack and an hour to be at the airport = 2 hours.
My Passport is in a hidden compartment in my Great Grandfathers 1880's roll top desk by the door. I'd be on my way to the airport in 5 minutes. I'd have a freind that knows my alarm system code pack my steamer trunks and shp them to me. <BR>Cheers, <BR>Art <BR>
I've actually done this several times - although unfortunately no one has ever handed me free tickets. The first time a friend rang me at midday and during our conversation it transpired that we both had the following week off work (most unusually for me I hadn't arranged anything). In a second we decided to go somewhere - my friend lived outside London so had to depart almost immediately for Gatwick airport. I was going to meet him there and tell him what I had managed to arrange. Later that day we were sat in a tapas bar in Barcelona laughing about how we had got there. I think the spontaneity of it gave me one of the best holidays I've ever had. All in all I guess it was a little over five hours from deciding to go to arriving in Barcelona with about half an hour to pack!
Love this question! <BR>3 hours max providing nothing hellish is happening at work and I could get the time off. I too keep a packed suitcase as I sometimes get little warning for business trips and just need to grab the case, passport, money and go. I would need to find plant waterers, cancel cleaner, arrange for mail to be collected etc. Then arrive at the airport nice and early to relax in the lounge and send some last minute emails.
Elvira, my passport-carrying sister--I thought I was the only one! My passport lives in my pocketbook and is with me pretty much all the time, too. <BR> <BR>Sadly, unless the tickets were for anywhere in Scandinavia, I *would* need 20 minutes or so to pack a few clothes first, as tall sizes can be hard to find. I'll never forget the terrified face of a certain shopowner in Bangkok who fairly tore a vest from my hands for fear I might try it on!
Escritora, you and I have the same problem. Due to my arm length and height, I have to shop in tall man shops or Nordstroms to find clothes that fit me. That is why I'd have to have a freind drop over pack some stuff for me and air freight it. <BR>Cheers, <BR>Art <BR>
I have the reverse problem. I'm a "shrimp" 
<BR> <BR>Let's see -- O'Hare is 35 minutes away with good traffic -- the International Terminal is easier to get to -- let's say 45 minutes and then 15 minutes to grab passport, throw some "shrimp shells" in a carryon and "je suis histoire" -- so 1 hour total.
<BR> <BR>Let's see -- O'Hare is 35 minutes away with good traffic -- the International Terminal is easier to get to -- let's say 45 minutes and then 15 minutes to grab passport, throw some "shrimp shells" in a carryon and "je suis histoire" -- so 1 hour total.Like St. Cirq I also have two wallets, one for travel, one for home. Have to switch my driver's license and medical info to the travel wallet. Also have a toiletry bag for travel always ready to go. Grab my big black travel purse, insert wallet, passport, etc. Throw some things in my suitcase and I'm ready. Depending on time of day, however, lord knows how long it will take to drive to SFO. <BR> <BR>j <BR> <BR>j
I could be packed and to the airport in an hour, if it wasn't for work. It might take some persuasion to get them to let me leave immediately. But change out purses, throw clothes and toiletries in the suitcase, ten minutes to the airport and I'm ready to go. Now who is offering with the free tickets?!
