Helpful online travel tools abound

For all the misery, anguish and angst that routinely bedevil the average business traveler on the road, there is an equal (and often equalizing) tool, tip or tactic to help diminish the impact, dull the pain.

Perhaps it is sheer ingenuity or marketing genius that causes these solutions and resources to pop up just when they are needed most. Or maybe we can just chalk it up to all that idle airport time -- whatever the reason, somebody somewhere defined the problem and came up with a solution.

Use the technology

While I can take absolutely no credit for inventing any of these resources, I probably rank in the top 100,000 or so of business travelers who scour the internet for ways to do things easier/more economically/faster/more professionally/safer. As a result, I have a bundle of them, and, as always, I am happy to share:

n For a fast track to an internet hot spot, log on to AnchorFree. Simply enter an address or zip code and a map will pop up showing up to 100 free Wi-fi and HotSpot locations in the area.

n Leave your laptop at the office and use your handheld instead. If you have a lot of typing to do, pack a folding keyboard such as iGo's Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard (www.igo.com/searchresults.asp?search_id=9).

n While it's cool to listen to your 5,000-or-so favorite songs as you wing your way to an international client meeting, why not put some of that downtime to even better use by downloading McGraw-Hill's iSpeak Series language programs (www.mhprofessional.com/category/?cat=114) to your iPod or MP3 player.

n Use your cell phone to get directions in several major metropolitan areas. When you arrive in the city, dial "DIR-ECT-IONS" (347-328-4667), select "address" and say your start and destination points. (Note: it ONLY works from a cell phone, and one that does not have the caller ID blocked or marked "private"). The service is available in 15 major metro areas, with more to be added soon. Check out www.dialdirections.com/default.html for more information.

n You say you don't trust the flight status updates fed to you and other airport gate-waiters when a flight is delayed? Good thinking. Instead, power up your laptop or handheld and head to Google, then enter the airline and flight number you are waiting for (example: UA 254 for United Airlines flight 254). You'll receive an instant response detailing when (or if) the flight left its departure city, estimated arrival time at the airport where you're cooling your heels, including expected assigned gate, compliments of Flight Stats (www.flightstats.com).

International travel

n For information on visa requirements, passport rules, health regulations, and other restrictions and laws that affect travel to international destinations, check out www.iatatravelcentre.com. The data is provided by the International Air Transport Association, a trade group of the world's major airlines.

n For a fast-track to international travel docs when you're transiting New York/Kennedy International, seek out ItsEasy (www.itseasy.com), a New York-based passport and visa agency. They recently opened a 24-hour service at Kennedy Airport designed to assist travelers on the spot when they discover they lack the required documentation to travel.

Get around at

your destination

n Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com) which runs shared-ride van services at several airports nationwide, has introduced the company's first self-service kiosk at Baltimore/Washington International. Make your reservation online or through your travel agent, then check in and pay at the kiosk when you arrive at that airport.

n Taxi! Taxi! Now you can hail a cab in about 40 major cities with a mouse click. A former New York cabbie turned entrepreneur has launched 1-800-cab-ride (www.1800cabride.com), a Web site where you can schedule pick-up and drop sites in about 40 major markets with as little as 10 minutes advance notice.

n Now you can bypass toll booths. If you routinely find yourself waiting in long, frustrating, time-wasting lines at Interstate highway toll booths, there is a way around it that doesn't require blasting through barricades and outrunning the law. Several car rental companies now offer toll bypass options for a daily add-on fee. Ask your rental company for details, or check out www.rentatoll.com for states where their services are available.

Up your efficiency

n If you've ever needed a courier to get something from Point A to Point B when you're on the road, you know that finding one, especially when you are traveling, can be a hassle, or worse. Enter Lickety Ship (www.LicketyShip.com), a Web site where you can plug in the Zip codes of your pick-up and drop-off points along with the estimated weight of your package and get a quote.

n Look for new self-service kiosks at Denver International designed for business travelers looking for word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. Located in all three concourses and the main terminal, the office terminals can be accessed with a credit card. Other features include high-speed laser printing, Internet access, media drives and laptop charging stations.

You have a business travel problem? There is probably a solution. Next time you're stranded, log on to Google, Ask.com, Yahoo, or another good search engine, plug in your dilemma, and see where it leads.

Before you know it, your road warrior arsenal will be well-stocked with useful resources.

Betty Stark is a Madison travel industry consultant and business travel writer with 25 years' experience.