I always imagined what life would be like on the road. How glamorous it would be to run through the airport in four-inch heels, hair blowing as I ran from terminal to terminal. I imagined whom I would sit next to on the airplane and the fascinating conversations we would have as I traveled coast to coast.

Now, after my first year as managing director of our i3 publication, I’ve learned traveling is not what I expected at all. Especially lately — I’ve been on the road to visit sponsors, prospects and investors and to attend conferences. Don’t get me wrong, I love meeting people, it’s just that whole “getting from point A to point B” part that has room for improvement.

I’ve been on the road so much lately, I am beginning to feel like a connoisseur of travel. I’ve even become quite efficient in packing, a task that never came easily to me. If I had to give one piece of advice on air travel it would be: never ever check your bags — car