Road Warrior Women Chart Their Own Territory
Carry-on packed. Destination set. These women charted their own historical journey and have attained the coveted honor of becoming two of the five 2008 American Way Road Warrior winners because of their effort.
To earn the title of
American Way Road Warrior you have to know how to travel. Know the essentials for your trusty carry-on. Know the must-have gadgets to be the most productive while in-flight. Chronicling mile after mile for work or leisure trips, a Road Warrior knows the ebb and flow it takes to go the distance … and still maintain your sanity.
This year, two women made the final cut on the short list for the 2008
American Way Road Warrior contest. Grand Prize winner Shannon Kenitz, Director of the International Hyperbarics Association, and Second Prize winner Kathy Fox Frisbie, Vice President of Education for ATI Enterprises, are skilled travelers who circle the globe for different reasons and exude the warrior mindset while embarking on their trips. Read a short profile on each courageous voyager here and be sure to check out their full story in the March 1 issue of
American Way.
—Jennifer Robertson Norris
Road Warrior - Kathy Fox Frisbie
Name: Kathy Fox Frisbie
Nickname: KFC. It stands for “Kathy First Class,” which my boss called me on our first flight together when he had to walk past me in First to get to his seat in Coach.
Your definition of a Road Warrior: Someone who hinges the success of a trip on whether or not she got the upgrade.
Describe your quintessential Road Warrior moment: I was sitting in a hurricane shelter in Cabo, after spending the first three days of my vacation doing work via e-mail. The hurricane, Hurricane Henrietta, caused the power and Internet access to go out for days. It was the first time on a trip that I realized, that sometimes, as a Road Warrior you have to let go. We are Road Warriors because we feel a need to be in control; either we have to be there in person to close that sale or put out a fire. Hurricane Henrietta took away the control for me that week. And when I got back to work, I realized life was going on well enough without me.
Key difference between women and men travelers: Men feel more comfortable eating alone in a restaurant. Women do room service.
When you’re run down and the thought of traveling is wearing you out, what is the one thought that pulls it all together and gets you on that plane: The trip from DFW airport to my home in Flower Mound.
While you travel mostly for work, describe your dream vacation trip: Riding in a gondola in Venice, holding hands with my husband.
Must-have travel gadget: My portable GPS. I have the British voice programmed to make me feel like Daniel Craig (James Bond) is giving me directions.
Must-have travel companion (this can be human or an inanimate object): My iPhone. I got her for Christmas and named her immediately. Her name is Lucy. Hard to imagine life before Lucy.
Road Warrior tips on getting through security efficiently: Pack belts and jewelry.
No. 1 travel tip for the aspiring Road Warrior: It’s all about the one-quart baggie, baby.
What do you insist on when booking travel accommodations: Aisle exit row and my name on the upgrade list.
How do you unwind while you are traveling: Doing Sudoku in American Way during takeoff and landing. You don’t want to be sitting next to me if my seat’s copy has already been done!