Alicia Whalen and Patricia Brusha (pictured left) comprise A Couple of Chicks, an Internet marketing firm that specializes in the travel industry. One of the company's divisions is Chicks Away (http://www.chicksaway.com), a community for women who travel. "It's like a Facebook for travelling females," explains Whalen, "with social interaction, information sharing, tips, stories and resources. When business women travel, they have different personalities from their male counterparts,
and Chicks Away is a
forum where their perspectives are explored."
How frequently do you travel?
Brusha: We spend more time with each other than we do with our husbands. We do have a real office, but we are seldom there together, so we use our time onboard to confer and plan.
Do you travel business class?
Seldom. We are just a couple of chicks. The few times I have travelled first or business have been when I was travelling with clients, and I felt like Jack on the Titanic, as if I had accidentally crashed the first-class party.
What's your take on luggage?
Whalen: We carry very colourful bags, and our travelling mascot is a rubber chicken called Henrietta. She squawks at unexpected moments. Because we will usually be doing a presentation, we need business attire, and there is often a cocktail party or formal dinner, so we need dress clothes. Then we need our workout clothes - we don't travel light. Usually a minimum of four pairs of shoes, and every woman knows that shoes are the hardest thing to pack.
Favourite airline?
I live in Grimsby [Ont.] and like to fly out of either Buffalo or Hamilton - anything to avoid Pearson. But Trish lives in Toronto and prefers to fly out of Pearson. We like Air Canada and WestJet out of Pearson or Hamilton, or Jet Blue out of Buffalo. I love [Air Canada], especially when I have a presentation to finish. I can plug in my computer, there's lots of room to work, and it has saved my life on several occasions.
Tell us your best travel
experience.
Brusha: Alicia is the tardy chick. On one occasion, it was raining, her cab was late and we missed our flight. There was a great guy at the WestJet check-in. He got us booked on another flight immediately. He even brought us our tickets personally - how did he know we would be in the bar? - and he got us upgraded to a better seat. We loved him! It made an inconvenient experience almost fun.
Worst?
Whalen: I always like the window seat. Once we got seated with a Chinese tour group and I was on the inside, beside a very tired gentleman who slept on my shoulder - and drooled. Worst of all, he couldn't understand English very well, so he used me as his translator for everything,
from a glass of water to his meal order.
Any online travel tips?
Brusha: We find it extremely time-consuming and confusing to try to find the best rates and convenient times [on the Internet]. We have a great agent downtown and he finds the bargains for us. The travel agent isn't dead! Between trying to book travel and run a business, an agent is the best choice for us.
How do you get prepared to hit the ground running, ready to do a professional presentation?
Whalen: As often as we can, we fly in a day early. You can't depend on the weather.
Brusha: Or your partner!
What are the benefits of business travel?
Whalen: One of our favourite things to do is to pick up live lobsters at the Halifax airport. We believe that you should take advantage of the opportunities that travel offers. We always try to do a little shopping in the airport to get special things to bring back to our families. Their support is important.
