Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 31, 1995 TAG: 9507310018
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MONTY S. LEITCH
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
DEAR MS. CELLANY: In your opinion, what is the most important thing to keep in mind when traveling by air? Signed: T.W.A., Upperville, Va.
DEAR T.W.A.: Ms. Cellany is aware that each traveler, voyager, wanderer and commuter, whether expert or novice, has his or her own ``best travel tip.'' And Ms. Cellany surely does not wish to denigrate, in any way, their fine advices.
However, there is one ``travel tip'' about which Ms. Cellany is absolutely certain, having arrived at it by personal experience and experimentation. It is just this: One should always - yes always! - tightly secure one's hand lotion in a zip-locked baggie before placing it in one's luggage.
This is no less true for one's carry-on luggage than for that luggage which is to be checked through to one's destination.
DEAR MS. CELLANY: What about toothpaste? Signed: A.S.A., Altavista, Va.
DEAR A.S.A.: Why, yes! Of course! Toothpaste, too! Why did not Ms. Cellany think of this herself? Such an idea would have saved her much trouble in the past.
DEAR MS. CELLANY: Do you have any suggestions for passing the time in airport waiting areas when your connecting flight is delayed? Signed: U.S. Aerie, Eagle Rock, Va.
DEAR MR. AERIE: Ms. Cellany never travels without her petit-point tapestry. Indeed, she has found endless hours of enjoyment in pursuit of this pastime.
As a charming result, every chair seat in Ms. Cellany's large and well-appointed home is covered with the lovely execution of one of her embroidered designs, as are the chair seats in many of the homes of Ms. Cellany's closest friends.
Ms. Cellany could recommend no more rewarding airport diversion than this.
However, she has often noticed that she is among only a handful of travelers engaged in this activity. Consequently, she must conclude that tapestry embroidery is not equally rewarding to all and so she will, therefore, report on other activities in which she has seen fellow travelers engaged: eating, reading (often the most appalling titles!), listening to very small radios, talking endlessly on the telephone, drinking, sleeping, pacing, and, most notably, gossiping with and confessing to total strangers.
DEAR MS. CELLANY: You know those little white bags that are tucked in the back of each seat on an airplane? The flight attendants never explain them. What are they for? Signed: Delta Lufthansa, Belle Haven, Va.
DEAR MISS LUFTHANSA: Ms. Cellany has no idea.
DEAR MS. CELLANY: Are all the toilets in all the ladies' rooms in all the airports now converted to the self-flushing type? And why have they done this, do you suppose? Signed: Alitalia Lufthansa, Bel Air, Va.
DEAR MISS LUFTHANSA: Ms. Cellany, as you most certainly know, is a very experienced advice columnist. Like her colleagues on the ``lovelorn beat,'' she recognizes a prank letter when she sees one. Self-flushing toilets, indeed! Whoever heard of such a thing?
DEAR MS. CELLANY: How can we get out of here? Signed: A.L.L., Buena Vista, Va.
DEAR A.L.L.: Ms. Cellany has found all the travel agents in her experience to be courteous, efficient, patient and imaginative. She recommends you contact your nearest travel professional. Even if air travel does not interest you, Ms. Cellany is confident that a cruise could be arranged.
Monty S. Leitch is a Roanoke Times columnist.
by CNB