Yes, I am currently staffed on the East Coast in February. #$^@#$ it’s #$%#$^ cold. A few words of wisdom for the newbie consultants traveling to into the cold:
Staying warm (affiliate links)
- Buy some 180s. They are ear warmers that don’t mess up your great hair
- Win major points with your team by bringing the car up front and warming it up
- Wear your heaviest clothes on the plane, find a good place to tuck it away
- Travel with a Contigo thermos; bring K cups if the client has a Keurig
- Dress in layers – it is easy to “overheat” in the car or coming in from the cold (LS)
Safety
- Get a larger rental car and load it up with consultants; less sliding on snow
- Park with your windshield wipers up when it snows; they will get stuck to your car
- Leave your rollerbag in the garage; don’t drag that dirty thing in your house
- Carpool – no reason to have 3 rental cars on the road, if you can prevent it
- Leave the client site while it is still light out; finish up the work at the hotel
Getting home
- Book the 2nd to last flight home on Thursday. The last flight is your back-up
- Check your flight status often; expect delays
- Be willing to pay the penalty and change flights, don’t get snowed in
- Stick to airline & hub combinations (e.g., Delta, ATL)
- Most airlines let you use wifi free to watch movies; Delta Studio here
Looking sharp
- Mix and match clothes; it won’t all fit in your bag. Re-wear.
- Bring some portable shoe polish, and leave it at the client
- Dust the crappy salty snow off your black pants
- For longer projects, leave some clothes in a hanging bag with the hotel; they don’t mind
- Use scarves to brighten up
- Don’t be afraid to go with the “old man” vest look.
- Wear those partner/principal jackets and turtleneck