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Bring on the crying babies, obnoxious teenagers, and looooooong security lines. We’re kicking off the holiday travel season this week and I’m giving you three reasons to turn that frown upside down. The innovators and entrepreneurs of today have not forgotten about you, the easily annoyed frequent flyer, and are working to dish up some must-haves to ease the travel ulcer.
EXTRA TIP: Nanny in the Clouds (http://nannyintheclouds.com/)
Connecting traveling families with traveling nannies. She meets you at the curb, entertains your kids, and keeps them from screaming, kicking, and fighting for as long as your heart’s content.
HOP!
“Don’t Touch Me...I’m Rollin’ thru JFK”
http://cargocollective.com/ideactionary#hop
Go ahead and pack all those shoes ladies cuz HOP! is the hands-free luggage you've been waiting for. Connecting through your bluetooth, HOP! follows you as you make your way through the airport terminal. Stolen, lost, or stuck - the suitcase automatically locks itself and your phone vibrates to let you know you've lost your friend. Currently shown as a prototype, HOP! is not available yet but it’s a glimpse of what’s to come before Holiday-Fiasco 2013.
No it can't climb stairs - stop asking for so much!
SILVERCAR“Excuse Me, But I Only Rent Audis”
https://www.silvercar.com/
It's about time we had a reason to ditch the rental car lines and bottom of the barrel array of KIAs. Fresh off an $11M funding round, Silvercar has incorporated your smartphone into the rental car fiasco. NO MORE LINES. NO MORE AGENTS. Instead, a fresh, new Audi waiting for you in the parking lot.
$$$$ Ya but for how much $$$$
The Promise: equivalent to renting a full-size sedan at any rental counter.
Your Silver Audi already knows your payment details, your favorite XM stations, and your hotel destination. No refilling the tank! The car calculates how much to charge you based on distance traveled and charges your credit card connected to the Silvercar phone app.
DAMN YOU TEXAS!
For now, Silvercar is only available in Dallas but consumer adoption should be immediate. I know I can’t wait!
APP IN THE AIR“Fly Smarter”
http://www.appintheair.mobi/
I have a 4 hour layover in Seattle this coming holiday and thanks to this app I have lots of things to do. App in the Air serves up the usual smartphone travel perks - flight check in, delay notifications, tips for flying - but the features about the airport are what you’ve always wanted during a layover or a long security wait (wifi status, food, shopping, lounges).
Days before your flight, the app begins a countdown for check-in, boarding, takeoff, and landing. Any changes to your flight are automatically fed through the app giving you immediate insight into delays, gate changes, and terminal pickup.
But that all seems rather standard to me and is not the reason I continue to feed my travel plans into this app. Thanks to App in the Air’s subscriber base, when I get to Seattle this Thanksgiving I’ll have 4 hours to get a manicure, a massage, or head to downtown which is only a train ride away. There’s even insight on the best eateries inside the airport (hello Chocolate Cafe!)
- Packing list included or create your own
- More Airport Features: weather status, currency converter, power outlet locations, security gate tips
- Flight Map shows you the travel route
Final Thoughts
- There’s no replacement for earplugs.
- Moms always carry hand sanitizer.
- $5 tips for flight attendants benefit everyone.
Happy Traveling!
