Travel

High-tech gear to smooth the way

scott_mcmurren_logo_2.18.09

After a quick trip to Indiana over Thanksgiving, I'm all about God as my co-pilot. But technology is squeezing into the front seat as my flight engineer and chief navigator, that's for sure.

No kidding. Sitting on the tarmac at the airport after two trips to the de-icing station, I uttered a fervent prayer that we would, indeed, be able to take off on schedule for our nonstop flight on Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Chicago.

But it's worth noting that the technological improvements at every step of the travel experience really boost the odds for a successful trip--even if we can't control the weather. Yet.

Before I got to the airport, I printed out my boarding pass. The first time I said hello to any airline staff was as I was boarding the aircraft.

Part of my quest on this trip was to maintain my "carry-on only" rule. Since this was a quick trip, I did not want to wait around at the airport or risk losing any bags. So I actually wore quite a bit of the stuff I used to pack. Specifically, I used the new "Quantum" jacket by Scottevest.com. Developed by Scott Jordan in Sun Valley, Idaho, this high-tech

The Quantum Jacket
Owner Scott Jordan models the Quantum travel jacket. Note the clear pockets on the inside flaps. That's where your iPod goes so you can snake the cords through the jacket. There also are slots for your gloves, your eyeglasses, your keys and your camera.

shell has 28 pockets.

Jordan developed his first jackets for skiers. He was keen on developing a system where skiers could listen to their iPods without fiddling with wires and the device itself -- particularly when it's cold and snowy outside. So two of the pockets on the Quantum jacket have see-through layers that allow you to manipulate touch-screens. There's also a patented "cord management system" where your ipod earbuds are embedded in the jacket. Then, there's a little Velcro patch for the earbuds in the collar.

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But there are pockets for everything on this jacket. There's a slot for your sunglasses with a little clip to keep track of your glass-cleaning cloth. There's a slot on the inside for your camera and your phone. There's even an elastic strap that will keep your water bottle handy -- and a clip for your keys. Gloves, travel documents, see-through ID patch -- there's a pocket for everything. Each of the sleeves has a little pocket, too. I wore a light fleece jacket underneath the shell for extra warmth. In addition to the Quantum jacket, Jordan offers lightweight fleece jackets with a bunch of pockets, vests and pants.

I've been a big fan of the Bose noise-canceling headphones since the company started marketing them to travelers. Prior to that, Bose offered a high-end version for pilots. Last weekend, I traveled with the new QC15 headphones. Each version of the headphones includes new features, as the company continues to tweak the right combination between portability, battery life and functionality. I was glad when they finally figured out how to twist the ear-cups sideways so they fit into the hard-sided carrying case.

Bose QC15 headphones
The Bose Quiet Comfort 15 (QC 15) active noise-canceling headphones.

I compared the QC 15 model with my other pair -- the on-ear Quiet Comfort 2 model. The new model is demonstrably quieter, in part because they've gone back to over-the-ear design. Bose also offers an in-ear model. Honestly, I think kids who've grown up on iPods would find these more attractive. Not me.

The secret to these headphones is the noise-canceling technology. You cannot simply block out the noise on a long flight. But the active noise-canceling is sort of like your own private "dome of silence" on the aircraft. The icing on the cake, of course, is that you can plug in the headphones to your iPod. The sound is great.

While I've relied for years on my orienteering skills to help me find my way, those skills are of limited value when I arrive after dark in a strange city. The Enterprise car rental folks were kind enough -- but they did not have any maps beyond downtown Chicago.

I was all set with my laptop and a wireless card to pull up Google Maps for the quickest route to Indiana. Then I noticed my Blackberry had a Google Maps application. Not only that, but it was able to pinpoint my location and zoom in to street view. The interface is easy to operate -- even for a Luddite like me. Bit by bit, the Blackberry is becoming an indispensable tech accessory when I travel. My iPhone friends wax on about their devices as well.

In addition to the simple mapping technology, where you can pull up directions, there's a traffic indicator. This saved my on my return through Chicago yesterday. Stuck in post-Thanksgiving traffic in Gary, Indiana, I had more than a few minutes to analyze my options using various routes to O'Hare airport. As it turned out, I got off the major highway through the center of town and took the Tri-State Tollway, the back way to O'Hare.

Speaking of tollways, I broke down and bought the "iPass" remote toll meter from Enterprise when I picked up the car at the airport. Since I was driving toll roads all weekend, the device paid for itself. Additionally, I was able to zoom through the express lanes instead of fiddling for coins or bills for the attendants.

My brother-in-law rented a car from Hertz with the "Neverlost" GPS. The combination of real-time big-format views, plus the audio cues, make the Neverlost a favorite with frequent travelers. Personally, I like the portability of the Blackberry, so I can plot my route in the car or in the coffee shop. Regardless, these GPS-related tools give travelers more options aside from stopping at the gas station to ask directions.

Once I got to the Ft. Wayne Hilton after my four-hour drive from Chicago, the hotel offered a "Print Me" service in addition to their free wireless service. I uploaded a document to this service, then it was available to print in the business center. As it turned out, the printer was out of order, but the friendly staff instructed me to send the document to them at the front desk--and they printed it out. I appreciated their brand of Hoosier Hospitality, that's for sure!

Online resources:

Quantum Travel Jacket. Jillions of pockets make sense for today's high-tech traveler. Plus, these lightweight, water-resistant shells are great for skiers and outdoor lovers. www.scottevest.com

Bose Headphones. These noise-canceling headphones are helpful when you're on a noisy jet plane! www.bose.com

Google Maps. I love maps and everything about them. But I like them better if I'm on the run and I can access them with my smartphone. http://maps.google.com

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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