Since my career has turned me into quite the traveler, I thought I’d compile some tricks of the trade for all my fellow jet-setting geoscientists!
Tips for Flying as a Geoscientist
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you’re probably bringing home rocks. Here are some tips to help get your new treasures—and you— home smoothly.
Pack a towel
I never fly without a hand towel in my backpack, because according to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker—or traveling geoscientist—can have.
Roll it up for neck support in your seat or use it to comfortably rest your head against the window. You can also clean up that airplane drink you spilled all over yourself during turbulence. Wrap it around small, delicate specimens for the journey home. The uses are endless!
Maximize your space
Get the most out of valuable luggage space by compacting your clothes into vacuum-sealed bags. Bring an extra so that when you return, you’ll be able to separate dirty and clean clothes. This is the pack I have, which comes with a hand pump.
If you’re headed out on a field expedition and have packed your good boots, unpack them! Bulky shoes take up way too much space, so you’re better off wearing them on the plane. You also wind up looking like a really cool adventurer who is prepared for anything.
Mail your souvenirs home
If you collect souvenirs—including rocks—on trips, consider mailing them instead of flying with them. Bring a couple of USPS flat-rate boxes in your luggage. When heading home, wrap your souvenirs in socks or a t-shirt and package them up.
You can bring the boxes to a post office, or you can print your own shipping labels beforehand and utilize pre-security mail drop offs at the airport. For the latter option, I recommend using Pirate Ship!
Bonus tips
Get TSA Precheck. It’s so worth it, and I wish I’d gotten it sooner! Security checkpoints are a breeze, and I don’t have to wait in insane lines.
Find an airline you like and sign up for one of their credit cards. Earn miles and get perks like priority boarding and discounted—and much needed—in-flight drinks.
A message from IMAGE
Don't forget your accommodations!
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Since my home airport is pretty small, I almost always have connecting flights. That means I get to visit tons of random airports and get the scoop on which ones are ‘totally fly’ and which ones ‘make me cry.’ That’s a pun AND a rhyme, right there!
TSA Check-in
Best: The best check-in experience I have ever had was at Salt Lake City. Rocks and minerals were no problem in my carry-on and made for a fun conversation with the super-friendly TSA agents!
Worst: Getting through security at Dallas-Fort Worth was a total nightmare! Because it’s such a high-volume airport, the agents are tired and not exactly willing to be gentle with specimens during inspection… Seeing my dimetrodon bones get broken made me cry.
Layovers
Best: Since having a MAJOR remodel, Newark is officially my favorite airport to be stuck in for a few hours. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and stores, as well as an abundance of comfortable, reclined seating for napping.
Worst: Chicago O’Hare may have a giant dinosaur to look at, but the lack of practical seating and the prevalence of high-priced eateries that kick you out as soon as you’re done can easily make for a lackluster layover.
Bathrooms
Best: Newark’s renovations have also made it easier than ever to get into a bathroom stall with luggage. There’s plenty of room, shelves, and hooks. As a bonus… there’s no door gap!
Worst: You may have heard the weird stories about the Denver airport, but the weirdest of all is how doors open inward to the tiniest bathroom stalls! It HAS to be some kind of conspiracy…
Ease of access
Best: My favorite airport overall is Rapid City, because it’s small and stress-free! There’s a great café with outdoor seating, beautiful art on the walls, large bathroom stalls, and the quickest, smoothest security checkpoint EVER.
Worst: I absolutely hate my very own Albany airport. Security lines are always long, the current construction makes drop off and pick up a nightmare, and there is WAY too much carpet that my suitcase just cannot roll over.
Bear in mind: These are just my opinions as someone who frequents these airports! I haven’t been to every airport in the U.S, so maybe there are better ones out there… Let me know about them at editorial@aapg.org.
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of GeoLifestyle!
As tired as I am of traveling this month, I’m about to set off on a family vacation in sunny Florida. By the time you read this, I’ll be relaxing by a pool and not worrying about work for a few days. I hope you, too, take some time to enjoy summer fun with family!
Until next week! 🔆✈
Cate Larsen
Editor, GeoLifestyle
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