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Today, April 24th, is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Started by the Ms. Foundation for Women back in 1993 as a career day for young girls, the program is now on its own and has broadened its focus to include boys.

The goals for the day have expanded as well: parents and mentors are asked to expose girls and boys to the choices they have in the workplace and to offer lessons about the “family-work balance.”

But what if your work involves lots of travel? My Well-Mannered Traveler column today offers tips on taking kids along on a business trip.

Categories: Etiquette, Holidays, Kids, Well-Mannered Traveler
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Velma Ruth Boyd (1921-2006) of Longview, Texas had a deep passion for hats and, no doubt, a big closet.

Throughout her life she collected more than 300 dress hats, most of which ended up at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in Austin, Texas.

Through July 1, 2008, a dazzling selection of Ms. Boyd’s hats is on display in the showcases between Gates 7-12 (post-security) at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Look for the “vermillion red hat with plumes of feathers,…a tan straw hat trimmed in white organza with a wide brim folded and curled back on itself like a mobius strip, and a pink summer straw hat surrounded with pink netting, ribbons and adorned with small faux flowerets.”

Photo courtesy Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Categories: Art, History, Museums
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On Wednesday, April 23rd, Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is celebrating the launch of its new overhead music program with a free live music showcase featuring four nationally-known Chicago-area musicians:

Blues singer and guitarist Lonnie Brooks

Polka artist Eddie Blazonczyk, Jr.

Singer-songwriter Kelly Hogan

Classical violinist Rachel Barton-Pine

The concert will take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. airside in Terminal 2, in the main corridor connecting Terminals 1 and 2.

Photo: courtesy Lonnie Brooks Web site

Categories: Free Stuff, Music
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Mother’s Day is coming up (May 11th) and the Food & Shops program in the Central Terminal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport is offering prizes for folks who take a moment to pen a short essay about traveling with their mom or “mother figure.”

If your essay is chosen, your mom could win an Art Deco crystal watch with Swarovski® crystals from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store.

You have until May 5^th to enter on-line.

Categories: Contests, Holidays
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If you like to check your bags curbside at the airport, be sure to pack some extra cash.

One by one, airlines are adding fees for this once-complimentary service.

United Airlines, American Airlines and US Airways, for example, currently charge $2 for each bag dropped off at the curb. On April 15th, Delta Airlines began charging $3 per bag. And that doesn’t include the (expected) tip for the skycaps.

Come May 5^th, when many airlines begin charging an extra $25 fee for checking a second bag, things will get more costly and confusing out at the curb.

In my Well-Mannered Traveler column on MSNBC.com this week, I write about a frustrating experience trying to pin down airline reservation agents on payment options out at the curb. Should I bring cash, credit cards or a personal check? No one seems to know.

Categories: Check-In, Fees
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