lorrayne
Cathlete
As promised, here is the long awaited packing tips. These will also be e-mailed out to you with other items. However, I know many of you really want to see this list now. 
Please note that we have updated last year's packing list to reflect some airline policy changes in addition to what to do in the event the airlines lose your luggage.
Happy packing trippers!!!!
[h2]2008 Suggested Cathe Road Trip Packing Tips[/h2]
[h3]Some Preliminary Words about Flying and Suitcases[/h3]
Some of us will definitely be checking baggage and that’s A-okay. If you cannot fit all your items in a carry-on size bag and do need to check a bag, then we strongly recommend that you PLACE ALL IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU MUST HAVE IN THE BAG YOU CARRY ON THE PLANE, in the event your luggage gets lost and will not arrive until the following day. Better to carry on your clothing for Saturday instead of running the risk of having NO WORKOUT CLOTHES AT ALL!
Another important tip is to include a copy of your contact information (your name and a cell phone number where you can be reached while you’re in NJ) inside your checked piece of luggage. This is important so your bag can get to you as quick as possible. We don't want to frighten you, but lost pieces of luggage are on the increase! Also, DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR HOME ADDRESS on your luggage tag. There are cases of dishonest baggage handlers who know you are out of town. BE SMART!!!
If you’re going to try not to check luggage, remember that you are required by airline regulations to limit yourself to one carry-on size bag (9" x 21" x 13") and one personal item such as a purse or messenger bag. And we suggest this: one week before the Road Trip, pack your carry-on bag with everything you think you want to take, and see if it will all fit. Then make sure you can lift your bag over your head so you can place it in the overhead compartment when you’re on the plane. Too much stuff for a carry-on? Is it too heavy? Better to know now than when you’re frantically getting ready to leave, or are at the airport with a monster-heavy bag!
For travel beginning May 5, 2008, multiple airlines will begin assessing a $25 fee for a passenger's second checked bag each way. This checked bag fee is not applied under certain conditions, and is unique to each carrier. We suggest that you please visit http://www.expedia.com/daily/edit/alerts/Feb2008/baggage_fees.asp for more detail around each airline's policies.
[h3]Packing List by Category[/h3]
(We’ve provided “check-off” boxes-- like this: -- to make this list extra useful as you pack! )
Workout-related clothing:
1. 1 outfit per workout, each workout outfit to include a pair of socks, undies (optional), jog bra or top, headband (optional), and pants/shorts.
Outfit #1 Outfit #4
Outfit #2 Outfit #5
Outfit #3 Outfit #6
We have four (4) scheduled Cathe workouts on Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll need extra for Friday morning if you are arriving on Thursday and plan to take Cathe’s regular Friday morning step class, plus more extras if you plan on additional workout time in the gym anytime during the three-day weekend.
One forum member provided this outstanding suggestion for organizing your workout clothes: Pack each complete workout in a gallon plastic Ziploc bag. That way you just pull out a new bag for each new workout, and you keep your used stinky ones together until you return home to wash (may need extra heavy duty detergent for these babies!) Once you wear them and return to the hotel afterwards, hang them out in the hotel room (over the towel bar, the shower curtain bar, the desk chair, etc.) to dry out a bit until you’re to pack them away to take back home.
Another forum member suggested bringing a small Ziploc baggie with a handful of dryer/fabric softener sheets -– Throw one of these in each large Ziploc baggie full of dried-but-still-stinky clothes before you close up your suitcase for the trip home – your clothes will be a bit friendlier when you open them after the weekend.
2. At least one pair of aerobic shoes (you may want to alternate between two pairs to let one "dry out").
3. T-shirt, zip-off pants, etc. – whatever you might want to wear over your workout clothes before classes or during breaks.
Street clothing:
1. Comfortable outfit for Friday night’s Meet and Greet party at Cathe’s gym -- Please note that we will be holding our Fitness Relay race this evening (one of the favorite events of Road Trip 2005), so come dressed appropriately (e.g., aerobic shoes with a pair of shorts or capris is fine!)
2. Outfit for Saturday night's Fitness Feast dinner at Adelphia’s Restaurant -- Casual dress such as a pair of capris and a nice top with sandals is fine.
3. Outfit for Sunday’s Farewell Brunch and your trip home
4. Sweater/jog jacket in case it gets cool in restaurant or in Cathe’s Gym
5. Pajamas
6. Robe (optional – nice if you’re sharing a room and are modest)
7. Sandals or slippers for hotel room (optional)
8. Undies
9. Socks (if you’re not wearing sandals)
10. Street shoes for your party, dinner and brunch/travel outfits
Other items to pack:
1. Pre-packed “Bring to Cathe’s Gym”-sized “shower kit” toiletries -- Throw a small travel size body wash, shampoo, conditioner, volumizer, hair spray, etc. – whatever you think you’d use -- into a big Ziploc baggie, toss the whole kit into your gym bag, and you'll be ready to line up for the showers in a hurry -- just grab and go!
Remember that if you’re bringing these or any other toiletries in a carry-on bag on your flight, you are limited to liquids/creams/gels in 3 ounce or less containers, and all such containers must fit into ONE quart sized Ziploc baggie.
2. Small collapsible gym bag (available inexpensively at most sporting goods stores) to take to Cathe’s gym. Bring these things to pack into your gym bag each day:
• Your Ziploc bags with your fresh changes of workout clothes for additional classes (don't forget fresh socks!)
• An empty large Ziploc bag for stuffing with the workout clothes that you wear over to the gym, after you get them all sweaty and stinky!
• T-shirt, lightweight jacket, zip-off pants -- whatever clothes (if anything) that you want to wear OVER your workout clothes while we eat lunch and while we're between classes;
• Your Ziploc bag with your “Bring to Cathe’s Gym” toiletries kit
• Hairbrush & comb, hair clips or bands, etc.
• Hair dryer to dry your hair in between workout sessions (optional)
• Your wallet (remember that there will be Cathe gear and DVDs for sale!)
• Your camera and/or video camera
• Anything you're bringing for Cathe to autograph (e.g., DVD covers, VHS covers, Cathe Calendar, pictures)
• Lifting gloves (optional)
• Refillable water bottle, if you bring one. (Cathe will have free bottled water available, too, but it's nice to have your own Nalgene or something similar!)
• Your Who's Who book and a pen, so that you can continue to get to know your fellow Road Trippers and make notes, exchange phone numbers, etc.!
• Bath Towel(s) for your shower(s) and your hair at the gym
• Baby wipes for “poor man’s shower” at the gym (very handy but optional)
• Hand towel to have with you during classes (optional)
• Quarters for coin-operated lockers at Cathe’s gym
• Electrolyte/power gels/power bars/protein powder (optional)
• Shower cap (optional)
• Flip flops for the shower (optional)
• Wrap-around towel for when you get out of the shower (optional)
3. Sunglasses
4. Travel size umbrella (optional)
5. Hair stuff:
• Hair dryer for either the hotel or to bring with you to the gym (optional) (Note: The hotels do provide hair dryers, but if you’re sharing a hotel room, you and your roomie(s) will probably need at least one extra hair dryer.)
• Curling iron, curlers, flat iron (optional)
• Hair brush(es)/comb
• Hair clips/holders
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Styling products and hair spray
6. Ear plugs (optional but maybe useful if you share a room!)
7. Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
8. (Great suggestion from the RT Forum) This week, go out and choose a new body wash with a new fragrance, but DON’T USE IT until the RT. Bring it along, and that way after the RT whenever you use the fragrance you’ll be brought back to the RT experience.
9. Body lotion
10. Razor & travel size shaving cream
11. Makeup (optional)
12. Perfume (optional)
13. Prescription drugs (VERY IMPORTANT: Pack these in their original containers with your name and your doctor's name, and write down the generic name of each drug if you know it)
14. Vitamins
15. Over-the-counter meds you might need: Pepto-Bismol, decongestants, Advil, aspirin, Tylenol, etc. (optional)
16. Feminine hygiene products
17. Deodorant (you may want to consider a clear deodorant that won’t show on your workout clothes)
18. Nail clippers/file/tweezers (optional)
19. Eyeglasses and spare glasses
20. Mini-eyeglass repair kit (optional)
21. Contact lenses and supplies
22. Manual alarm clock as backup in the event hotel alarm clock or wake-up call doesn’t occur (optional…newer cell phones usually have an alarm feature)
Paperwork and Other Items to Carry ON THE PLANE
1. Your flight itinerary, airline ticket, and driver’s license (for photo ID and for driving in NJ)
2. Your rental car information, if applicable
3. Your hotel name & address and your reservation confirmation number
4. Purell hand sanitizer (optional)
5. iPod and headphones and/or laptop computer
6. Reading materials
7. The Road Trip itinerary (coming soon!)
8. Rapid Rover (airport shuttle) contact information
9. Driving directions to hotel, Cathe’s gym and restaurants (to be provided)
10. Kathy, Lorrayne, & Debbie’s cell phone numbers (to be provided later via e-mail)
Did the airlines lose your checked luggage? If so, here are some helpful tips:
1. When you file the lost bag claim, insist on getting a local telephone number for the airport baggage service office. Do NOT let them shove you in to the web or call center customer service queue. These remote call centers cannot help you as much as your local baggage representatives especially early on in the process. By default they give customers an 800 number or the web site, so you will have to use your skills of charm and persuasion to avoid this trap bestowed on the uninformed and casual flyer;
2. You should have discussed expense reimbursement, and gotten some kind of an authorization, when you filed the lost bag claim. They may have some rule about not reimbursing people with in the first 24 hours, but this surely can be waived;
3. Baggage service offices at full service carriers like United Airlines typically have toiletry kits, and you could have gotten one of these to at least get a few items;
4. When you check in for your return flight, I would ask for a complimentary upgrade due to your inconvenience. This is not an official benefit, but an agent can do pretty much what they want, and if they like you they'll do it.
Please note that we have updated last year's packing list to reflect some airline policy changes in addition to what to do in the event the airlines lose your luggage.
Happy packing trippers!!!!
[h2]2008 Suggested Cathe Road Trip Packing Tips[/h2]
[h3]Some Preliminary Words about Flying and Suitcases[/h3]
Some of us will definitely be checking baggage and that’s A-okay. If you cannot fit all your items in a carry-on size bag and do need to check a bag, then we strongly recommend that you PLACE ALL IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU MUST HAVE IN THE BAG YOU CARRY ON THE PLANE, in the event your luggage gets lost and will not arrive until the following day. Better to carry on your clothing for Saturday instead of running the risk of having NO WORKOUT CLOTHES AT ALL!
Another important tip is to include a copy of your contact information (your name and a cell phone number where you can be reached while you’re in NJ) inside your checked piece of luggage. This is important so your bag can get to you as quick as possible. We don't want to frighten you, but lost pieces of luggage are on the increase! Also, DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR HOME ADDRESS on your luggage tag. There are cases of dishonest baggage handlers who know you are out of town. BE SMART!!!
If you’re going to try not to check luggage, remember that you are required by airline regulations to limit yourself to one carry-on size bag (9" x 21" x 13") and one personal item such as a purse or messenger bag. And we suggest this: one week before the Road Trip, pack your carry-on bag with everything you think you want to take, and see if it will all fit. Then make sure you can lift your bag over your head so you can place it in the overhead compartment when you’re on the plane. Too much stuff for a carry-on? Is it too heavy? Better to know now than when you’re frantically getting ready to leave, or are at the airport with a monster-heavy bag!
For travel beginning May 5, 2008, multiple airlines will begin assessing a $25 fee for a passenger's second checked bag each way. This checked bag fee is not applied under certain conditions, and is unique to each carrier. We suggest that you please visit http://www.expedia.com/daily/edit/alerts/Feb2008/baggage_fees.asp for more detail around each airline's policies.
[h3]Packing List by Category[/h3]
(We’ve provided “check-off” boxes-- like this: -- to make this list extra useful as you pack! )
Workout-related clothing:
1. 1 outfit per workout, each workout outfit to include a pair of socks, undies (optional), jog bra or top, headband (optional), and pants/shorts.
Outfit #1 Outfit #4
Outfit #2 Outfit #5
Outfit #3 Outfit #6
We have four (4) scheduled Cathe workouts on Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll need extra for Friday morning if you are arriving on Thursday and plan to take Cathe’s regular Friday morning step class, plus more extras if you plan on additional workout time in the gym anytime during the three-day weekend.
One forum member provided this outstanding suggestion for organizing your workout clothes: Pack each complete workout in a gallon plastic Ziploc bag. That way you just pull out a new bag for each new workout, and you keep your used stinky ones together until you return home to wash (may need extra heavy duty detergent for these babies!) Once you wear them and return to the hotel afterwards, hang them out in the hotel room (over the towel bar, the shower curtain bar, the desk chair, etc.) to dry out a bit until you’re to pack them away to take back home.
Another forum member suggested bringing a small Ziploc baggie with a handful of dryer/fabric softener sheets -– Throw one of these in each large Ziploc baggie full of dried-but-still-stinky clothes before you close up your suitcase for the trip home – your clothes will be a bit friendlier when you open them after the weekend.
2. At least one pair of aerobic shoes (you may want to alternate between two pairs to let one "dry out").
3. T-shirt, zip-off pants, etc. – whatever you might want to wear over your workout clothes before classes or during breaks.
Street clothing:
1. Comfortable outfit for Friday night’s Meet and Greet party at Cathe’s gym -- Please note that we will be holding our Fitness Relay race this evening (one of the favorite events of Road Trip 2005), so come dressed appropriately (e.g., aerobic shoes with a pair of shorts or capris is fine!)
2. Outfit for Saturday night's Fitness Feast dinner at Adelphia’s Restaurant -- Casual dress such as a pair of capris and a nice top with sandals is fine.
3. Outfit for Sunday’s Farewell Brunch and your trip home
4. Sweater/jog jacket in case it gets cool in restaurant or in Cathe’s Gym
5. Pajamas
6. Robe (optional – nice if you’re sharing a room and are modest)
7. Sandals or slippers for hotel room (optional)
8. Undies
9. Socks (if you’re not wearing sandals)
10. Street shoes for your party, dinner and brunch/travel outfits
Other items to pack:
1. Pre-packed “Bring to Cathe’s Gym”-sized “shower kit” toiletries -- Throw a small travel size body wash, shampoo, conditioner, volumizer, hair spray, etc. – whatever you think you’d use -- into a big Ziploc baggie, toss the whole kit into your gym bag, and you'll be ready to line up for the showers in a hurry -- just grab and go!
Remember that if you’re bringing these or any other toiletries in a carry-on bag on your flight, you are limited to liquids/creams/gels in 3 ounce or less containers, and all such containers must fit into ONE quart sized Ziploc baggie.
2. Small collapsible gym bag (available inexpensively at most sporting goods stores) to take to Cathe’s gym. Bring these things to pack into your gym bag each day:
• Your Ziploc bags with your fresh changes of workout clothes for additional classes (don't forget fresh socks!)
• An empty large Ziploc bag for stuffing with the workout clothes that you wear over to the gym, after you get them all sweaty and stinky!
• T-shirt, lightweight jacket, zip-off pants -- whatever clothes (if anything) that you want to wear OVER your workout clothes while we eat lunch and while we're between classes;
• Your Ziploc bag with your “Bring to Cathe’s Gym” toiletries kit
• Hairbrush & comb, hair clips or bands, etc.
• Hair dryer to dry your hair in between workout sessions (optional)
• Your wallet (remember that there will be Cathe gear and DVDs for sale!)
• Your camera and/or video camera
• Anything you're bringing for Cathe to autograph (e.g., DVD covers, VHS covers, Cathe Calendar, pictures)
• Lifting gloves (optional)
• Refillable water bottle, if you bring one. (Cathe will have free bottled water available, too, but it's nice to have your own Nalgene or something similar!)
• Your Who's Who book and a pen, so that you can continue to get to know your fellow Road Trippers and make notes, exchange phone numbers, etc.!
• Bath Towel(s) for your shower(s) and your hair at the gym
• Baby wipes for “poor man’s shower” at the gym (very handy but optional)
• Hand towel to have with you during classes (optional)
• Quarters for coin-operated lockers at Cathe’s gym
• Electrolyte/power gels/power bars/protein powder (optional)
• Shower cap (optional)
• Flip flops for the shower (optional)
• Wrap-around towel for when you get out of the shower (optional)
3. Sunglasses
4. Travel size umbrella (optional)
5. Hair stuff:
• Hair dryer for either the hotel or to bring with you to the gym (optional) (Note: The hotels do provide hair dryers, but if you’re sharing a hotel room, you and your roomie(s) will probably need at least one extra hair dryer.)
• Curling iron, curlers, flat iron (optional)
• Hair brush(es)/comb
• Hair clips/holders
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Styling products and hair spray
6. Ear plugs (optional but maybe useful if you share a room!)
7. Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
8. (Great suggestion from the RT Forum) This week, go out and choose a new body wash with a new fragrance, but DON’T USE IT until the RT. Bring it along, and that way after the RT whenever you use the fragrance you’ll be brought back to the RT experience.
9. Body lotion
10. Razor & travel size shaving cream
11. Makeup (optional)
12. Perfume (optional)
13. Prescription drugs (VERY IMPORTANT: Pack these in their original containers with your name and your doctor's name, and write down the generic name of each drug if you know it)
14. Vitamins
15. Over-the-counter meds you might need: Pepto-Bismol, decongestants, Advil, aspirin, Tylenol, etc. (optional)
16. Feminine hygiene products
17. Deodorant (you may want to consider a clear deodorant that won’t show on your workout clothes)
18. Nail clippers/file/tweezers (optional)
19. Eyeglasses and spare glasses
20. Mini-eyeglass repair kit (optional)
21. Contact lenses and supplies
22. Manual alarm clock as backup in the event hotel alarm clock or wake-up call doesn’t occur (optional…newer cell phones usually have an alarm feature)
Paperwork and Other Items to Carry ON THE PLANE
1. Your flight itinerary, airline ticket, and driver’s license (for photo ID and for driving in NJ)
2. Your rental car information, if applicable
3. Your hotel name & address and your reservation confirmation number
4. Purell hand sanitizer (optional)
5. iPod and headphones and/or laptop computer
6. Reading materials
7. The Road Trip itinerary (coming soon!)
8. Rapid Rover (airport shuttle) contact information
9. Driving directions to hotel, Cathe’s gym and restaurants (to be provided)
10. Kathy, Lorrayne, & Debbie’s cell phone numbers (to be provided later via e-mail)
Did the airlines lose your checked luggage? If so, here are some helpful tips:
1. When you file the lost bag claim, insist on getting a local telephone number for the airport baggage service office. Do NOT let them shove you in to the web or call center customer service queue. These remote call centers cannot help you as much as your local baggage representatives especially early on in the process. By default they give customers an 800 number or the web site, so you will have to use your skills of charm and persuasion to avoid this trap bestowed on the uninformed and casual flyer;
2. You should have discussed expense reimbursement, and gotten some kind of an authorization, when you filed the lost bag claim. They may have some rule about not reimbursing people with in the first 24 hours, but this surely can be waived;
3. Baggage service offices at full service carriers like United Airlines typically have toiletry kits, and you could have gotten one of these to at least get a few items;
4. When you check in for your return flight, I would ask for a complimentary upgrade due to your inconvenience. This is not an official benefit, but an agent can do pretty much what they want, and if they like you they'll do it.
