Executive Travel

Name: Diane Klemme

Position: Design and shopping consultant, Palos Verdes Estates

Packing is a pain, but it’s easy to minimize the aggravation. The trick is to invest in extras of your essentials.

In my closet at all times is my “travel kit,” a zip-around bag that’s always ready to go. For $50 to $100 or even less, you can get duplicates of your basics (toothbrush, shampoo, soap, hair dryer) as well as emergency items (sewing kit, eyeglass repair kit, bandages).

The convenience is well worth the capital investment. You can initially buy half a dozen miniature sizes of each item to keep you in stock for years, or, like me, you can regularly refill small containers in the travel bag from larger ones in your home as soon as you get back.

I also keep an extra robe, slippers and pocket umbrella in my luggage, and keep a pre-packed exercise bag with an extra pair of running shoes. For each trip, all I have to do is pack my wardrobe.

But you could even save time there, by keeping clothes in your garment bag. Even if you don’t want to leave certain clothes in the bag all the time, you can store some suits in it, leaving the bag hanging in the closet. Whenever you have a trip planned, it’s ready to go.

You get almost the same treatment as someone with a personal valet by investing a small amount of time and money.

Do you have advice for fellow business travelers or a travel-related experience you would like to share? Please mail your typewritten contribution to Executive Travel, Los Angeles Times--Business News, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles CA 90053. Or fax it to (213) 237-7837. Or send it electronically to [email protected] on the Internet. Please be as detailed as possible and include your name, title, company and a daytime phone number.