Ellie on Travel — A Day In Her Life

This week, you're stuck with me for a solo episode on what it actually looks like when I travel for work. I'm walking through my exact packing system (mouth tape and Advil included), the carry-on I've used for almost 10 years, and the loyalty programs I will defend to the death.

In this casual check-in, I share my TSA Touchless routine at Logan, why I'll do just about anything to avoid checking a bag or booking a red-eye, and my perfected flight uniform. I also run through a few rapid-fire favorites — what I'm reading, watching, and scrolling right now — and give you a first look at the podcast's brand new rebrand with Kate Zeitler of Zeitler Designs.

What I Cover:

Why I'm calling my days frenetic, full, and fun right now, and what "summer max" mode looks like with two kids in the thick of it
The exact contents of my carry-on bag: two laptops, AirPods, backup wired headphones, the dongle that Bluetooths my headphones to the seatback screen, and the needlepoint that keeps my hands busy at takeoff and landing
Why I've used the same Away carry-on for almost 10 years and my biggest travel hot take: pick an airline, hotel brand, and rental car brand early and stay loyal to it
Why I'll do almost anything to avoid checking a bag or booking a red-eye, including the brutal red-eye this spring that cured me for good
My TSA Touchless routine at Logan (faster than the PreCheck line these days) and why Clear's value has "degraded" for me even though it's free with Amex Platinum
Packing scrubs for hospital site visits versus real clothes for team trips, plus my perfected flight uniform: white tee, joggers, a topper, and sneakers
My Uber rules for the ride to the airport (no chitchat, please) and when I choose to drive myself instead
The podcast's brand new look, courtesy of Kate Zeitler of Zeitler Designs, and why I'm rolling it out gradually instead of waiting for one big coordinated launch

Three Words to Describe My Days Right Now: Frenetic. Full. Fun.

References