Your Image: Making the Unfriendly Skies a Little Friendlier

Alas, I'm not old enough to remember the glory days of "steamer trunk travel," when women and men packed gowns and black-tie and tails for elegant evenings far from home. What a glorious fantasy for someone like me.

I am old enough, though, to remember when people actually got dressed to travel. I mean, they made an effort to cover their entire bodies with clothing in advance of sharing any number of hours in a small, confined area with total strangers.

For better or for worse, clothes served them in two ways:

1. They provided personal body armor and self-defense, in case you actually rubbed elbows with a stranger, intentionally or otherwise;
2. They presented you uniquely and with respect to the world of the business or adventure traveler.

Sadly, I must ask, "Where have those days gone?"

Can we blame this on the absence of decent in-flight meals, overbooking and overcrowding on the part of the airlines? Did they send out a memo saying, please dress your worst when you travel, so we don't have to worry about you 'looking' like you deserve proper, respectable treatment en-route? If so, I'd love to see a copy.

Nevertheless, the fact remains, dressing up, even just a little, can greatly impact your travel experience and may just make the skies a little friendlier during the busy travel season ahead.

Dress up because:

1. You will surely be treated better.
2. You may score one of those hard-to-come-by-these-days upgrades looking like you belong in the Upper Class cabin of yore.
3. Being comfortable and looking your best are not mutually exclusive. They can both be achieved -- at the same time.
4. You never know who may be seated next to you or across the aisle. It may be the person who holds the key to your next great opportunity. Wouldn't it be nice to leave a positive impression, while, perhaps, positively influencing his/her in-flight experience, as well?

In addition, do come prepared with:

• A wrap or sweater, in case the 22 tissue-thin blankets provided for 200 passengers have already been distributed upon your arrival.
• A travel pillow or cushion for your head...remember, the pillows that went with the blankets.
• A snack - one of your personal favorites. If you get the upgrade, you can keep the snack for later.
• Your personal entertainment of choice. Whether it's a book, magazine, iPod or other, the choice to tune-in or tune-out should be yours.

Travel safe. Travel happy. It's the only way to fly.

Stay tuned for our April Audio Tips as Your Image On-The-Go continues.