Travel / Outdoors

Travel is one of the great perks of being a journalist — over the years, my job has taken me to places like Los Angeles, Paris and Saudi Arabia. But when I began covering Mitt Romney's presidential bid five months ago as a member of The New York Times political team, I suddenly found myself shuffling through airport security several times a week.

I knew a campaign assignment would mean spending hours in overlighted terminals, waiting for flights. What I did not know was how much time and energy I would spend figuring out the logistics of travel — everything from how to get from Iowa to New Hampshire as quickly as possible the morning after the caucuses, to how to snag a hotel reservation on Mackinac Island, Mich., during a Republican conference when nearly every room had been taken by political operatives.

For a campaign reporter, knowing how to travel efficiently can mean the difference between getting to a debate on time and spending the night in an airport terminal. Below, a few tips that our political team has picked up over the years.

Take only a carry-on

Jeff Zeleny, a national political correspondent, puts it bluntly: "Never check a bag — ever. If your trip is two days or two weeks, never pack more clothes than you can fit in your carry-on luggage."

Those are good words to live by. Checking a bag means you have to arrive at the airport earlier; it also adds to your trip on the back end, since you have to wait for your suitcase to emerge on the conveyor belt. And then there is the risk of lost luggage.

But traveling light also means packing wisely. Jim Rutenberg, a national political correspondent, and I both like to roll our clothes into long, tight cylinders, because it allows you to cram more outfits into a small bag.

As for shirts, Zeleny advised: "Folded shirts are a good idea for road warriors, but if you hang shirts, keep them in a plastic bag from the dry cleaners to keep wrinkles to a minimum." (Romney's staff members — along with Richard Oppel Jr., a political reporter who is covering Gov. Rick Perry of Texas — all swear by Brooks Brothers wrinkle-free shirts.)

Have a packing strategy

I used to pack aspirationally — a professional outfit in case I landed an interview with Romney; a dress for an impromptu night out; gym clothes for that workout I hoped to squeeze in. Now, I pack realistically, bringing only weather-appropriate clothes I think I will actually wear. (This usually means jeans, boots and a blazer.)

One place to save on space is shoes. Pack only one pair — two at the most, if you're a runner and need sneakers. "To make room for running shoes, stick with brown or black shoes — not both," Zeleny said.

Which brings us to color schemes. If your trip is longer than a few days, your clothes may have to do double — or triple — duty, so choose a color scheme and stick with it. Pick a basic color for your shoes and essentials so you'll have more flexibility to mix and match, not to mention layer.

Sign up for rewards

Loyalty programs are the name of the game. Sign up for every program possible — airlines, rental cars, hotels. Especially with airlines, try to stick with one or two to earn premium status.

I've landed large suites, eaten free breakfasts and been able to cancel reservations at the last minute, all because I have loyalty status with various hotel chains. Rental-car rewards programs, in addition to helping you get car upgrades, can help expedite your travel.

Looking for a few other rental-car tricks?

"Gas up your car the night before an early-morning flight," Zeleny said. "And don't wait for a receipt — get it by email, which saves time."

Being an elite frequent flier also makes travel more pleasant. You can waltz through security in a special line and score free upgrades when seats are available. (In fact, I'm writing this in a first-class cabin of a flight — an upgrade I got through my Delta frequent-flier program — as I chase Romney from Iowa to New Hampshire.)

But I have also found another, lesser-known upside. Most airlines allow you to earn status both by the number of miles flown and the number of legs flown. So, for instance, a trip from Boston to Iowa, with a layover in Minneapolis, counts as two legs. I always prefer direct flights, but now when I find myself stuck with a connection, I cheer myself up with the thought that at least I'm earning two legs.

Know airport do's and don'ts

"I'm careful never to be that person fumbling to get my stuff together at the metal detector," Rutenberg said. "One trick I use is I'll load all of my devices into my coat pockets while waiting in line; that way, everything is together when I throw my coat into the bin."

Zeleny has his own checklist of airport do's and don'ts.

"Always check in before you get to the airport," he said. "Don't rely on an electronic-boarding pass: If the reader fails, you can miss your flight by having to go back to the ticket counter. Don't get behind children or senior citizens if you can avoid it."

And, when possible, "Sit near the front of the plane," he said. You will be able to debark more quickly, which is crucial if you have a tight connection.

As every reporter and presidential candidate has learned, expect the unexpected. Delays, mishaps and frustrations are de rigueur, and it helps to come well equipped with both strategies and provisions.

"If you look in my bag, you might think I'm going on a hike," said Susan Saulny, a political reporter. "There's trail mix, protein bars, hand sanitizer, bottled water, all-weather boots, wool socks and rain gear."

I like to throw in a GPS and an electronic charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter to keep all my devices — laptop, iPhone, BlackBerry — fully juiced. You never know when your rental-car dealer will run out of GPS units, and if you travel a few weeks every year, it's cheaper to buy your own than to rent one.

As for must-haves?

"Batteries, pens, gum — an exit strategy from every situation," Zeleny said.