You’d think seventeen years as a flight attendant would turn Sara Keagle into a blasé traveler. Fortunately for Sara and her charmed passengers, this is far from the case. In fact, Sara is so passionate about travel that she writes a blog, The Flying Pinto, in which she dispenses “advice on making your travels through the friendly skies….. well, more friendly!” Check out her insider tips below.

• When you travel, what is the one gadget you can’t live without?
  The gadget I can’t live without is my MacBook, which I use for blogging, keeping up with other blogs I enjoy, tweeting, bidding for my monthly schedule, and trip trading with other flight attendants.
• What is your favorite city in the world and why?
  My favorite city is my hometown, Boston, MA. I love all European cities, and Boston definitely has that flair. I was a tour guide in Boston for three years and know it like the back of my hand. Boston has the best of old and new, the architecture is amazing and it’s small enough to call quaint. With so many colleges and universities, it’s an extremely young and diverse city. If I had my way, I’d be living in Beacon Hill…well, at least from April until September (winters are a little chilly).
• What book is on your nightstand?
  Since my daughter was born two years ago, my nightstand has been inadvertently moved to the loo…LOL…or the jumpseat! I am currently reading several books (I am never reading just one), including: My life in France by Julia Childs, Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler (hysterical, easy read for the jumpseat), How Children Learn by John Holt, and an assortment of travel related magazines.
• Where have you been recently that you liked or were surprised by?
  Recently, I was in Seattle (one of my favorite cities), and another flight attendant and I went exploring. We happened upon the craziest wall of graffiti made of chewing gum (see photo below)!
• Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?
  Instead of a tip for a vacation spot, I’ll offer some insider tips for flying. First, be sure to pack neutral-colored clothing and add some personal flair with accessories. Second, make your in-flight experience pleasant by including creature comforts in your carry-on: a light blanket or sweater, snacks, a small first-aid kit, reading material, some sort of noise cancellation ear buds, and water (buy it once you get past security). Most importantly, when traveling by air, expect the unexpected! Oh, and make sure you have a membership to Boingo Wireless — that way, you will have internet access during delays and idle times.

Want to follow the excellent adventures of the Flying Pinto? Check out her blog: http://www.theflyingpinto.com or follow her @theflyingpinto on Twitter!

In support of cancer awareness in general (October is Breast Cancer Awareness month), we interviewed survivor extraordinaire, Meaghan Edelstein.

Two years ago, at age 28, Meaghan was diagnosed with stage 3B cervical cancer and told her chances of survival were slim. But she waged a victorious battle against the illness and then went on to establish  Spirit Jump, a “grassroots non-profit organization with a mission to provide hope and comfort” to those battling cancer. During her own ordeal, Meaghan was so comforted by the “uplifting cards and inspirational gifts” that she has duplicated this experience for other cancer victims through Spirit Jump.

Meaghan, yours is a remarkable story of survival against the odds and we toast to your continued health! Good luck as you travel around the globe dispensing comfort to others battling cancer.

Here are a few of Meaghan’s travel tips:

1. Is there a gadget you can’t live without?

I cannot live without my iPhone! Spirit Jump runs 100% through social media and email. We have people all over the world trying to connect with us and that means at all hours of the day.  With my iPhone I can stay connected no matter where I am or what I am doing.

2. What is your favorite city in the world and why?

I LOVE Boston. It’s a city full of history and full of life. I received my cancer treatments at Dana Farber Cancer Institute so there is a very special place in my heart for Boston.

3. What is your favorite dining spot in the world?

What a hard question to answer! There are so many great places and I think each city has a specialty.  I just got back from Vegas and ate at a fabulous restaurant in the Venetian called Zeffirino.

4.  What book is on your nightstand?

One of my favorites books The Time Travelers Wife.

5. Where have you been recently that you liked or were surprised by?

Las Vegas. I just got back and I have to say it was a blast! When I was diagnosed with cancer I thought I would never get to Vegas but I guess I proved myself wrong. It was a great city with wonderful food, shows and people!

6. What’s the most surprising/unexpected place you’ve ever visited?

St. Augustine,  Florida. I went on a short weekend vacation and had no expectations. My boyfriend and I had such a wonderful time there. It was absolutely beautiful, full of history, Tiffany crystals, ghosts and a wonderful winery. I can’t wait to go back. The Saragossa Inn in St. Augustine Florida was amazing!

Thanks, Meaghan!

If you’d like to support someone battling cancer through Spirit Jump, get more information here.

1. Everyone has a black bag and those cute little ribbons we tie to our luggage fall off. Buy a bag in a color or pattern so that no one will accidentally take your bag. Plus, it will be easy to spot on the carousel.

2. Get used to it — the quart-size clear bag is here to stay. Invest in one that won’t fall apart after three uses (save the sandwich bag for your lunch). When you are not traveling, you can use it to store things in your purse or beach bag.

3. Always throw a small expandable bag in your luggage. You never know when you’ll need it — and it can hold some of those extra items you buy on your trip home … 3-foot Toblerones anyone?

4. Always “break in” new shoes before traveling with them. But just in case, carry a back-up in your purse (Come on, the 4” stilettos are not that comfortable no matter what we tell him).

5. Remember before you dress for your flight you’ll have to do the security “strip tease.” That means shoes and all outerwear (jackets, cardigans, zippered hoodies, etc.) will have to come off before you walk through the metal detector. Don’t wear a jacket with 20 buttons that takes 5-minutes to get off. Slip-on shoes are also a must, no lace up boots! Keep your dress simple and easy.

6. You would never take your shoes off at the end of the day and put them on a stack of freshly washed clothes, right? Why do it when you pack? Put shoes in drawstring bags to keep your clothes clean and to protect your shoes from scuffing. Plus the bag can double as a laundry bag for undies and socks on your return trip.

7. To keep ourselves wired, we travel with too many chargers – laptop, iPod, cell phone, etc, etc. Try using a specially designed charger bag to keep all these cords in one place – and tangle free!

8. Train and airplane tables are rarely cleaned, wipe them down with a disinfecting hand wipe before using, plus this little effort will make your whole area smell fresh.

9. Flying can make feet swell and security checkpoints require you remove footwear, make sure to bring a pair of slip-ons or flip flops to wear during the flight, and never walk around without some form of shoe on. Have you seen the floor in the bathrooms?

10. A nice travel pillow is a must for plane, train or automobile. But, if you don’t have enough room in your carry-on for a pillow make sure to bring your own disposable pillow-case for the airplane pillow since they are almost never cleaned.

As told by Jessica Good, Owner of Passport Boutique