GPS- oh yes. I have the Garmin Nuvi 660. I got the UK card for when I was over for the British Open's which involves 3 shows at 3 locations over 3 weeks. Well worth it's weight in gold for navigating on the left side of the road through roundabouts in a tiny car. Speaking of road warrior tools - I just got the ATT Tilt phone. Awesome. Has built in GPS, google maps shows you where you are. It's 3G/HSDPA and blazing fast. I have the unlimited data plan with laptop connect. Using the phone as a modem for my laptop I've clocked upwards of 900kbps speed surfing in a 3G/HSDPA coverage area. Even the edge network is bearable when you're in Penn State. Sure saves $9-$14 day Internet at the hotel. I really love surfing, em, I mean researching uh, switcher software, in the truck when Internet is down or not yet installed and having everyone come up and say, "how are you online?" I use an exchange server for email, and everything, contacts, calendar, syncs up. Emails are pushed to my phone as they arrive at the server, usually faster than they arrive at Outlook. Also has 3mp camera, micro SD slot (32GB storage), stereo bluetooth, wifi, and built in AOL and Yahoo IM. The best part though.. wait for it... Ms. Pac Man.

I don't know how I ever traveled before without a GPS unit. Anymore those are so crucial to the travel we do.

[quote="sahonen"]I'm still in my early 20s and unattached, plenty of time to roam the country a bit, but I'll definitely keep this in mind if I ever do settle down.[/quote] Since I work with college students getting degrees in communications, I know a lot of guys like you, and I'll tell you what I've told them: Travel now, see the country, and while you're freelancing, find out what job you enjoy the most. Many kids aren't sure exactly what they want to do, so stretch yourself, try different jobs, and most of all, have fun with it. Make friends in different cities, you never know when you'll need them. And when you're a grizzled veteran, be a mentor for a day when you're working with a newbie. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice guys. This actually isn't a TD gig, I'm working with a company called B2 networks that does internet broadcasting. I'll be installing webcasting equipment in arenas that have contracted with B2 to get their games broadcast, so I guess it's closer to engineering work. [quote]2. An Archos portable DVR is great for viewing videos, listening to audio, storing pictures, and such while you're travelling. They're about the same price as a Video IPod, but it has a larger screen. I use it with a pair of SONY noise-cancelling earbuds (smaller & easier to carry around than those big BOSE headsets).[/quote] I have an iaudio X5 with Shure earbuds for listening to music on the go, though I use a dedicated portable DVD player for watching video. Anything that fits in your pocket just doesn't have enough real estate to show a movie properly IMHO. The DVD player also inputs and outputs composite video, making it useful as a cheap test signal generator, for faxing video feeds, and for hooking up to return when I do camerawork. [quote]4. My most important tip (which no one will want to hear) is this: Never forget that there has never been a program nor ever will be a program that is more important than your family[/quote] Excellent advice. I'm still in my early 20s and unattached, plenty of time to roam the country a bit, but I'll definitely keep this in mind if I ever do settle down.

Bob, well put...on all accounts... Some other thoughts... 1.I would say get yourself a good bag that can double as a carry on.. I have one that has a spot for a laptop. Comes in real handy. 2.Keep in mind you are going to go through security quite a bit, and the easier it is to get things in and out,etc the better. 3.Speaking of security, if you carry any sort of tools ( leatherman, etc) you will have to check a bag, unless you want to take your chances that it won't be spotted. This adds more time. If this is something you do, and you are on the same truck all the time w/ the same EIC etc...maybe ask if you can stow something on the truck..etc. 4. Learn how to pack light! ( if you don't do it already) Lastly, I think what Bob said applies to being on the road, or not on the road...and actually to any job that demans more than 9-5....( and even some of those) -Curt

1. Consider getting a smaller laptop - I use a Fujitsu Lifebook that's not only small & light and easier to carry, but it is also a touchscreen - so I can use it as a 2nd menu for my Kalypso jobs. If you use your travel time to pre-program the switcher, then a smaller computer is a great investment. 2. An Archos portable DVR is great for viewing videos, listening to audio, storing pictures, and such while you're travelling. They're about the same price as a Video IPod, but it has a larger screen. I use it with a pair of SONY noise-cancelling earbuds (smaller & easier to carry around than those big BOSE headsets). 3. If you're travelling by air, take along a bottle of Purell with you & use it every time you touch something in the airplane - MSNBC just posted an article stating that you are 133 times more likely to catch an illness on board a plane than when not on a plane - that Purell stuff has keep me a lot healthier on board airplanes than before I started using it. 4. My most important tip (which no one will want to hear) is this: Never forget that there has never been a program nor ever will be a program that is more important than your family - get home as often as you can...too many of us are "guest parents" in our own house and there is no excuse for that. I speak from experience that you will never get back the time that your kids grow up without you being there because of some show that no one remembers 10 minutes after it's aired. Keep your job in perspective - the show doesn't need you; your family does. As an example, many of us still miss Steve Laxton the person - no show misses Steve Laxton the TD. Your career is temporary - your friends and family are not...they will miss you & learn to get along without you sooner than you realize. I'm not saying not to travel - I'm only saying to remember to get home every chance you get.

Two words: Video iPod.