The trials of traveling for work
So, as a few know, I travel for work. I'm a road warrior/consultant who works in another state. I leave on Sunday or Monday and come home by Thursday or Friday. Since I've learned a few things during this time I'll share them now.
1. If you are traveling by plane, you will probably be late getting to your destination. There is time built into the takeoff/landing estimates. Yes, they're estimates - pilots can usually make up some time, but sometimes (as happened to me yesterday) you can be diverted to go around a storm system, and that adds time to your flight. Breathe - the pilot, the flight attendant, and the gate agents aren't to blame. Screaming at them doesn't solve anything.
2. Don't get too excited if your plane lands 30 minutes early. Chances are you will sit on the runway until your gate is clear. Get a battery pack so you can keep your phone or tablet charged while you wait.
3. Netflix now lets you download content! YES! I don't spend nearly as much money on Google Play anymore, except to buy a season of shows not available on Netflix, or movies I want to own.
4. Vouchers can be handy for personal travel. Yes, airlines oversell seats all the time. Get over it, and consider taking the voucher if you can. It's handy for travel at a later time. We purchased tickets for Hawaii for $500 less by using vouchers. Even better, the airline put me up at a hotel and gave me vouchers for the meals I'd have to purchase. About 70% of the time I will change my plans for that money. But not for less than $400. That's the price at which I can be bought.
5. Flight attendants are not your personal slaves. Treat them like people. They can't control the configuration of the plane or the schedule. Each change affects their bottom line too. Stop yelling at them.
6. If you score an upgrade, don't drink to excess just because you can.
Really, it comes down to the fact you're not the only one up in the air, you're not the only one affected by delays due to maintenance, weather, or size of your seat. Stop acting like it.
1. If you are traveling by plane, you will probably be late getting to your destination. There is time built into the takeoff/landing estimates. Yes, they're estimates - pilots can usually make up some time, but sometimes (as happened to me yesterday) you can be diverted to go around a storm system, and that adds time to your flight. Breathe - the pilot, the flight attendant, and the gate agents aren't to blame. Screaming at them doesn't solve anything.
2. Don't get too excited if your plane lands 30 minutes early. Chances are you will sit on the runway until your gate is clear. Get a battery pack so you can keep your phone or tablet charged while you wait.
3. Netflix now lets you download content! YES! I don't spend nearly as much money on Google Play anymore, except to buy a season of shows not available on Netflix, or movies I want to own.
4. Vouchers can be handy for personal travel. Yes, airlines oversell seats all the time. Get over it, and consider taking the voucher if you can. It's handy for travel at a later time. We purchased tickets for Hawaii for $500 less by using vouchers. Even better, the airline put me up at a hotel and gave me vouchers for the meals I'd have to purchase. About 70% of the time I will change my plans for that money. But not for less than $400. That's the price at which I can be bought.
5. Flight attendants are not your personal slaves. Treat them like people. They can't control the configuration of the plane or the schedule. Each change affects their bottom line too. Stop yelling at them.
6. If you score an upgrade, don't drink to excess just because you can.
Really, it comes down to the fact you're not the only one up in the air, you're not the only one affected by delays due to maintenance, weather, or size of your seat. Stop acting like it.
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