Non-techy Novice Traveler Needs Help with U.S. Trip + Working Remotely

Parent Cafe
1

I will be flying to another city to be with relative during a high risk surgery. Staying for about 10 days. I will basically be alone for most of this time, it is just this relative and me, no other friends/family in the area.

I am looking for a few Helpers who can PM with me over the next few weeks and give me tips and strategies with the following:

+Working Remotely, either at Hospital or at relative’s home
+General Flying Tips for packing, navigating airport, is there any food I can bring on plane
+Navigating strange city by myself in car

+Overcoming physical issues as I travel (don’t qualify for official “handicapped” status, but can’t lift more than 10 lbs, have arthritis that makes long walks through airport difficult, could not “run” from one gate to another to catch a flight)
+Am an admitted overpacker and know this will be an struggle for me

+Will want to have a laptop with me at Hospital, but again, 10 lb limit and will also need to be carrying food/drink/meds/papers/purse
+I have not purchased a laptop, have been delaying making a decision, and now I have an absolute deadline. I struggle with the lightweight vs smooth and fast operations, and am terrified of getting a glitchy system or a trackpad that skips and makes me crazy. Wondering if I can get by with using my H’s ipad instead of bringing full computer?

+Money IS an issue, relative is paying for my flight and I will have use of a car. But will be buying food, paying hospital parking fees, etc. At home I would lean towards healthy foods, and I don’t stress about eating non-healthy for a quick trip, but for 10 days I know not following an anti-inflammatory diet will result in increase of my constant back pain and joint pain.
Can bring a small, soft-sided cooler and pack food each day from relative’s home, but then I am stuck carting cooler around, or having to hike back to car in hospital parking deck?

I am not comfortable with an open discussion, but prefer to PM. If you only want to post a helpful comment, go ahead, but I will NOT be responding to posts. If you are willing to PM with me, please indicate that in a post.

Thanks so much for considering helping a fellow cc parent.

2

I’ll PM you but wanted to comment on open post, you do not have to be officially “handicapped” to get assistance at the airport. You just need to call the airline and tell them you need assistance. They will meet you usually at the curbside with wheelchair assistance to get you all the way to your gate or even onto the plane. They will meet you on the other end or even in between if you need to change planes. They will take care of your luggage. It is no cost, you just need to tip the people who help you. I had the assistance when I was traveling before knee surgery. It even worked between airlines when I notified both airlines.

3

You could also talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting a TEMPORARY handicapped placard. People do it all the time for surgeries and such.

Good luck to your relative on a speedy recovery and kudos to you for being such a support to him/her.

4

Learn how to hotspot your phone data, hospitals often have lousy access to wi-fi, but if you can get data on your phone, you can still access the internet.

I was also going to suggest the airport wheelchair to preserve strength.

5

Since you don’t already own a computer, can you purchase one and have it delivered to your relative’s home to wait for you there? My company has provided me with a dedicated hot spot connected to its internal wi-fi so I don’t have to worry about connectivity. Talk to your supervisor and your company’s IT department to see if this is feasible. Make sure that you have the contact info for the IT department. Take their recommendation as to what type of computer to buy so that you get one that is compatible with your company’s system.

Some hospitals have discount parking if you will be visiting for multiple days, check on that. One local hospital here sells books of tickets. Some have reduced fees if you enter or leave at certain times. Depending on the parking fees, it might be cheaper to park elsewhere and cab to the hospital. If your relative is significantly wealthier than you, ask if they can help pay for parking.

As for food, why don’t you have food delivered to your relative’s home so that you can cook, etc. while you are there? Or, if your relative or a friend, is able to do so, ask them to purchase supplies for you to have there. Toothpaste, shampoo, etc. can be ordered online and delivered or picked up locally. Since you will have access to laundry facilities, take only 2 or 3 outfits. If you will need a coat or jacket for the location, see if your relative has something you can borrow. Ditto for things like umbrellas, OTC meds, etc.

Use a pull bag for your luggage and take a small bag that you can carry with you. If you want to bring food with you to the hospital, use the type of bag you mentioned - ask if your relative has one that you can use while visiting.

6

More airport info. You can take food to go on board with you as long as it is not liquid or jell. Anything that is solid is OK, sandwiches, snacks like carrots and raisins. Don’t try any super soft or any jelled food. TSA has comprehensive instructions here https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/05/25/tsas-2017-summer-travel-tips
Don’t overpack. If you have laundry there you can always do a light load or even wash things in the sink.
You can wear things more than once when you are just sitting in the hospital. Pick things that go together. Do not get into the “what if” game to pack everything you can think of. After you decide what to take put back at least 1/3-1/2 of it. Your bag will be much lighter and smaller.
To get around price out an uber or taxis compared to a car. Total rental and parking fees can add up. Make sure you price the complete cost of rental including the airport fees and taxes. It can add 1/3 more to the rental costs.

PM me if you want any additional info.

7

If there is something bulky or heavy that you need at the relative’s place, consider shipping it there and back. Or, if it inexpensive, or you may have to go there again often, consider buying one there (or leaving it there after bringing or shipping it there).



When going to the airport, wear no metal (e.g. belt buckles, jewelry, etc.) and comfortable shoes that you can take off and put on easily.

8

Does your work IT department have loaner laptops for those who work on the road?

9

Don’t know if you will need to print or write documents, but if money is an issue, see if you can get by with the ipad. Its small, light, and you wont have to pay for the laptop and the cost of microsoft office (if you are using a PC). You can use google docs for documents if need be. IF you just have to read/write emails and play on cc ( :slight_smile: ), bring the ipad.

10

If you are planning to do a lot of typing, I would NOT recommend the ipad, unless you have a keyboard with it. I can’t really help you on that front, however, but I have not found the ipad enough.

If you only need to have internet access and can use google docs etc, you may be able to purchase an inexpensive chromebook or other similar mini-computer.

You may be able to get a lightweight bag (inexpensive at a discount store or online) that you can put the computer/ipad in and also put in your wallet, keys, a sweater, etc and hopefully stay under 10 lbs.

Feel free to PM me.

Good luck! This is a very nice thing you are doing.