Obviously, without your charger, your phone becomes useless when it runs out of battery. Buy a few extra charger cords so that you can have one in the coach and one in your suitcase in case you lose one. Make sure you are purchasing the right charger for your specific phone. There are many different charger cords, and just because a cord fits your device does not mean it is the correct one and may not charge properly. Google your device for specifics.
Most phone charger cords have a USB plug (looks like a duck’s bill, “quack quack”) that connects to an adapter for the wall outlet. If you unplug the cord from the wall adapter, you can plug directly into a USB port to charge. Some coaches have USB ports, some outlets, and even hotel rooms have USB ports for charging.
With any cords that you buy, it is helpful to get them longer than you think you need. Sometimes the outlet is in a weird place in the hotel room far from the desk, or the one outlet in the coffee shop is far from your table.
“Cords will be cheaper through Amazon or at a discount store like Ross, TJ Maxx, or Marshalls. Buying them at a cell phone store (Verison, Sprint, etc) will be much more expensive”
Showing photos, videos, presentations, and maps on the coach screens requires you to plug your device into the screens. Some older coaches lack the technology to do this consistently. When available, this is a great feature, and as more and more new coaches are added, it is easier to connect. (we will cover how to connect in the “On Tour” section Coach: Connections for Audio and Video). But here are the types of cords you need to recognize.
What to look for when buying connection cords is in the attached handout. Again we will cover connecting to coach screens and speakers in the “On Tour” section Coach: Connections for Audio and Video
While onboard the coach, you will need to be able to keep your devices charged. Newer coaches have outlets, but older coaches only have one or two cigarette adapters (like in cars). It is helpful to have a few additional cords in case your find yourself on one of these coaches.