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Author Topic: Road "Warriors"  (Read 11830 times)

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Road "Warriors"
« on: April 26, 2015, 12:48:59 PM »
Scoopers - been in a new role at work that's had me on the road quite a bit more. There are plenty of sites out there with travel tips, but curious what your experience is.

Below are some of the bullets I've put together myself. Any additions?

Never check luggage - saves time on both ends of each flight, reduces the risk of the airline losing/damaging your bag, and a nic forcing function to not over-pack. Also there is a difference among luggage; don't skimp on quality if you are spending a majority of your time on the road for work.

Always take the first flight out - Almost never delayed. Worth it even if it's a 5am departure; you can sleep on the flight. I almost prefer spending an extra night in a city to catch the first flight out the next morning. It can be tough to be away a little longer, but if you use that time to get ahead on work, you're able to be fully present with family once you're back, and avoid delays.

Standardize to one airline - Sort of obvious; maximizes status and miles
Sleep/Read on the flight - People seem split on this but even in first class I find I'm less productive than at a hotel and able to spread out. Using the flight to decompress as much as you can is useful and takes the edge off exhaustion when you're on the ground

Bottled water: No alcohol/coffee - I definitely don't bat .100 on this, but find I'm able to get more restful sleep when I'm staying hydrated and not circulating depressants/stimulants through my blood. Certainly some team-building events come up that require some boozing, but by-and-large I'm always happier that I abstain the next day.

No airline food - unless it's a long-haul flight that spans two or more destination meal times, I never eat on the plane. Work is paying for the trip, so don't eat glorified McDonald's (but higher sodium) if you can help it.

Vegan - this is something I've been experimenting with lately. Difficult to make it work in some towns, but if you can avoid meat and dairy you BM and sleep like a champ.

Exercise - Even a 20 min jog on the treadmill is huge for me; most of the trip I am sitting on my butt, and it's easy to go a week with no real physical exertion.

Church - I'm sure there are varying degrees of Catholicism on the board (I'm certainly not extreme), but I've found catching a local service to be great if you're traveling during a Sunday. If you're not careful you start to feel like a total outsider and not social at all while traveling and this can help scratch that community itch. Not to mention there are some beautiful churches in many cities.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2015, 12:50:39 PM by Grayson Allen »
"Half a billion we used to do about every two months...or as my old boss would say, 'you're on the hook for $8 million a day come hell or high water-.    Never missed in 6 years." - Chico apropos of nothing

MU Fan in Connecticut

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2015, 07:30:30 AM »
Scoopers - been in a new role at work that's had me on the road quite a bit more. There are plenty of sites out there with travel tips, but curious what your experience is.

Below are some of the bullets I've put together myself. Any additions?

Never check luggage - saves time on both ends of each flight, reduces the risk of the airline losing/damaging your bag, and a nic forcing function to not over-pack. Also there is a difference among luggage; don't skimp on quality if you are spending a majority of your time on the road for work.

Always take the first flight out - Almost never delayed. Worth it even if it's a 5am departure; you can sleep on the flight. I almost prefer spending an extra night in a city to catch the first flight out the next morning. It can be tough to be away a little longer, but if you use that time to get ahead on work, you're able to be fully present with family once you're back, and avoid delays.

Standardize to one airline - Sort of obvious; maximizes status and miles
Sleep/Read on the flight - People seem split on this but even in first class I find I'm less productive than at a hotel and able to spread out. Using the flight to decompress as much as you can is useful and takes the edge off exhaustion when you're on the ground

Bottled water: No alcohol/coffee - I definitely don't bat .100 on this, but find I'm able to get more restful sleep when I'm staying hydrated and not circulating depressants/stimulants through my blood. Certainly some team-building events come up that require some boozing, but by-and-large I'm always happier that I abstain the next day.

No airline food - unless it's a long-haul flight that spans two or more destination meal times, I never eat on the plane. Work is paying for the trip, so don't eat glorified McDonald's (but higher sodium) if you can help it.

Vegan - this is something I've been experimenting with lately. Difficult to make it work in some towns, but if you can avoid meat and dairy you BM and sleep like a champ.

Exercise - Even a 20 min jog on the treadmill is huge for me; most of the trip I am sitting on my butt, and it's easy to go a week with no real physical exertion.

Church - I'm sure there are varying degrees of Catholicism on the board (I'm certainly not extreme), but I've found catching a local service to be great if you're traveling during a Sunday. If you're not careful you start to feel like a total outsider and not social at all while traveling and this can help scratch that community itch. Not to mention there are some beautiful churches in many cities.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.  It's all about the points!  Standardize to one or two hotel chains also.  I do Hilton & Marriot Families as that gets you Residence Inns, Spring Hill Suites, etc. & Homewood Suites, Hampton Inns, etc.
Yes.

Yes on water.  I need a morning coffee wherever I am.

It depends on your schedule and flight length. 

You may be missing out on local cuisine by not eating meat.   :)

I'm a runner and my running shoes go where I go.  I take my 5:30am run wherever I am.  I run outside weather permitting because you get to see parts of cities and towns you might not normally see plus you may spot an interesting restaurant, gift shop, historic place, etc. that you may wan to revisit later time permitting.

I very rarely had to travel somewhere where I wasn't home on a Saturday evening/Sunday morning so I can't really answer.

My 2 cents.



JWags85

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2015, 10:53:37 AM »
I don't travel a ton for work, only about 2 trips per year, but for all the casual to semi-regular travels, GET GLOBAL TSA PRE-CHECK.  Its a no brainer for regular business travelers, but its $100 for 5 years and saves a million headaches.  I was randomly assigned pre-check going through security for my last 3 flights and it makes travel a breeze.  No belts, laptops, toiletries taken out, shoes on, go through the line in 5 min.  Its incredible.  I scheduled my interview and process to get approved as soon as I got home.

GGGG

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2015, 11:00:26 AM »
Scoopers - been in a new role at work that's had me on the road quite a bit more. There are plenty of sites out there with travel tips, but curious what your experience is.

Below are some of the bullets I've put together myself. Any additions?

Never check luggage - saves time on both ends of each flight, reduces the risk of the airline losing/damaging your bag, and a nic forcing function to not over-pack. Also there is a difference among luggage; don't skimp on quality if you are spending a majority of your time on the road for work.

But, if your schedule allows for an extra 15 minutes, don't be "that guy" who refuses to check bags even when they are offering for free at the gate - especially on a non-stop flight.

It just makes everyone's life a little easier and isn't that much of a hassle.


Standardize to one airline - Sort of obvious; maximizes status and miles
Sleep/Read on the flight - People seem split on this but even in first class I find I'm less productive than at a hotel and able to spread out. Using the flight to decompress as much as you can is useful and takes the edge off exhaustion when you're on the ground

I am not good at the plane standardization.  I do standardize my hotel and rental car though.  I agree with you regarding working on a plane.  I rarely do so unless absolutely necessary.  Usually just go "old school" and bring a book.

I usually stay in the suburbs when I can because the hotels are cheaper and less of a distraction then staying in the city center.  I can get a ton done in a hotel, or even a coffee shop.

keefe

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2015, 01:40:47 PM »
As a pilot i carried everything I needed for a TDY in a helmet bag. Toiletry kit, clean socks and scivs, workout sh1t, jeans and a polo, laptop, photo of the bride, and a spare flight suit. Anything else was excess weight that burned gas.



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reinko

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2015, 01:53:50 PM »
Be kind to flight attendants, and treat them like the professional they are.  As a newer dad, I have a found a new appreciation for flying with kids.  If you give a parent a dirty look whose infant is crying, seriously throw yourself down a well.  Now, if it some punk 9 year old, who is not being disciplined, that's another story.

Lastly, always thank the pilots for a smooth flight and landing, and getting you to your destination safely.


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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2015, 04:27:39 PM »
I don't travel a ton for work, only about 2 trips per year, but for all the casual to semi-regular travels, GET GLOBAL TSA PRE-CHECK.  Its a no brainer for regular business travelers, but its $100 for 5 years and saves a million headaches.  I was randomly assigned pre-check going through security for my last 3 flights and it makes travel a breeze.  No belts, laptops, toiletries taken out, shoes on, go through the line in 5 min.  Its incredible.  I scheduled my interview and process to get approved as soon as I got home.
great addition. Global Entry is pretty sweet as well for international travel. Eliminates the line for US customs. Not doing international as much anymore but I think there is another program which gives a similar customs experience in EU, etc countries.
"Half a billion we used to do about every two months...or as my old boss would say, 'you're on the hook for $8 million a day come hell or high water-.    Never missed in 6 years." - Chico apropos of nothing

Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2015, 04:28:51 PM »
As a pilot i carried everything I needed for a TDY in a helmet bag. Toiletry kit, clean socks and scivs, workout sh1t, jeans and a polo, laptop, photo of the bride, and a spare flight suit. Anything else was excess weight that burned gas.


did you upgrade your luggage for business travel, or roll a Brooks Brothers suit into that thing?
"Half a billion we used to do about every two months...or as my old boss would say, 'you're on the hook for $8 million a day come hell or high water-.    Never missed in 6 years." - Chico apropos of nothing

Jay Bee

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2015, 06:33:39 PM »
It's been a while since I traveled regularly for work. Many things have changed and are no longer applicable. And some of these I just heard from others. I dislike traveling for the most part. It was fun when I was young, but couldn't do it nonstop again in my old age.

- Always check under the mattress in your hotel room for porn.
    Current day: I guess bring.. a chromecast with your iphone or computer and watch dirt that way?

- Get downstairs early for happy hour if your hotel offers it. They'll let you start early and end late. The snacks usually suck, but the beer is fine. You will also often meet chicks down there who are ready to booze and have fun.

- Bring a bag/briefcase of some sort down to the breakfast buffet or get a female co-worker to help. You may not feel like eating 4 bagels, a few yogurts and dry cereal right now, but later in the day you will. Take them!

- Leave early for your trip home. Really early. None of this "I'll leave the client at 2pm so I can get to the airport in time for my 4:30 flight"... I'm talking about 10am you're heading to the airport for a 3pm flight. Have a few drinks, get some work done, meet some dames. Nothing worse than missing a later flight or having it delayed at the end of the week.

- Mix some mean drinks before flying (no longer applicable). Fill up some gatorade bottles with vodka drinks and carry them on.

- Fly Midwest Express when possible (old days again). Comfortable seats, cookies and they will keep re-filling your cup with their crappy wine if you ask nicely.

- Get your shoes shined. Some of those dudes are really good and it's a good time killer.

- Pack like a man. Why would you be checking a bag?

- Go out with co-workers and clients. Work hard, play hard (until you get to some point in your 30's and become an old man).

- If you're into tipping housekeeping, do it early on in your stay and not at the end. Many will do a better job and/or give you some candy. It's nice that you want to say, "thanks," but get something out of it as well!

- If you're young and you can fly in a friend for "free" instead of fly home for a weekend, do it. Young chicks find this super cool and will be down to fly to <name a city> for a couple days.

- Get a hotel room with a phone in the bathroom (no longer applicable). Great way to plan the night with your co worker who is in a room down the hall while you take care of biz.

- Get a hotel room with a fridge. Reliance on ice cube machines is for the poor.

- Don't sit on or touch the bed's comforter.

- If you forget ANYTHING, don't go out seeking it from stores in the area. First, ASK the front desk if they can hook you up at no cost. They usually can, even if it's a bigger $ item.
Thanks for ruining summer, Canada.

GooooMarquette

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2015, 07:33:03 PM »
Noise canceling headphones.

And I agree with the suggestion above to also standardize the hotel chain if possible.  It's nice to get room upgrades, free concierge lounge access, etc.  And once I showed up at a hotel that was seriously overbooked.  After hearing the desk attendant apologize to two people and giving them info about getting to the alternative hotel, I stepped to the desk to be handed a key to an upgraded room...and an apology for having to wait in line. ;)

warriorchick

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2015, 10:19:04 PM »
People who check luggage for a trip that is less than 4-5 days don't know how to pack.  jsglow and I once went on a 9-day vacation with only carry-ons. If you are going to need a sportcoat or suit jacket at some point on the trip, wear it onto the plane.

Wear slip-on shoes and if possible, keep your belt, wallet, watch, etc. in your bag until after you get past security.

Join the rewards program at your rental car company of choice so you can walk to your car and drive off.  Nothing more annoying than standing in line, and then getting hassled about the optional insurance.

Keep a quart-size baggie full of travel-sized toiletries in your carry-on, plus a toothbrush, comb, razor, etc. That way you never have to worry about forgetting to pack that stuff.  If you have a spare,  keep a phone charger in there as well.

If you have to eat by yourself, sit at the bar.  You can meet some really interesting people, and if not, the bartender will talk to you. 



« Last Edit: April 27, 2015, 10:22:04 PM by warriorchick »
Have some patience, FFS.

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2015, 11:41:54 PM »


If you have to eat by yourself, sit at the bar, and wear your leather flight jacket with the sh1t hot patches.  You won't be alone for long...and the bartender will feed free drinks to you and your ...friend





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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2015, 01:15:48 AM »
Advil PM washed down with a Bloody Mary puts you down for the count.  Don't really want to hear the seatmate's life story...and four hours of slumber makes me good to go upon landing.

Wear your sansabelts through security so I don't have to wait for the five times it takes for you to remember you have a belt on.

Knee pads for when your five year old jams back his seat in front of me twelve times in a row.

Snore guard for airplane is a common courtesy.  Sleep apnea is a disease.  Treat it, don't share it.

Place your luggage on the provided hotel rack to avoid the bed bugs crawling in off the floor. Store dirty laundry in air tight plastic bags to deprive them of oxygen for the return trip.

Don't drop your well oversized carry on on my head because you were too cheap to check it and not strong enough to lift it.

Headphones so I don't have to listen to the pilot drone on about the flight plan details when I could be sleeping.  I know where I am going and that you will be late.

Yes, that is your fat protruding on my seat.  Please remove it.

No, you cannot switch from your middle sit to my aisle seat.  And no, you cannot put your third bag in my foot compartment.

Neck pillow and eye blinders...if only to freak your seatmates out.  Guaranteed not to get bothered.

« Last Edit: April 28, 2015, 01:20:15 AM by Dr. Blackheart »

keefe

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2015, 02:33:40 AM »
Noise canceling headphones.



It must have been '08 but i took some Bose headphones to A Stan and, inside the wire, looked to the sky and said three words: Thank you, God. From that moment forward i was saved from young men arguing about the most inane sh1t, gansta rap, and the incessant random noises of life in a cantonment. 

certainly one of Amar Bose's masterpieces.


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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2015, 10:11:35 AM »
People who check luggage for a trip that is less than 4-5 days don't know how to pack.  jsglow and I once went on a 9-day vacation with only carry-ons. If you are going to need a sportcoat or suit jacket at some point on the trip, wear it onto the plane.
This is something it took me too long to learn. For my first 4 years I'd put way too many miles on a garment bag. Once you realize that you can properly pack a suit in a carryon, your life changes forever.
"Half a billion we used to do about every two months...or as my old boss would say, 'you're on the hook for $8 million a day come hell or high water-.    Never missed in 6 years." - Chico apropos of nothing

reinko

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2015, 10:41:13 AM »
Was an interesting article in the Times a few years back, it argued that airlines should charge for folks to carry on, and check bags for free, thus getting people on and off much faster, to cut down on delays...


keefe

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2015, 12:13:03 PM »
Was an interesting article in the Times a few years back, it argued that airlines should charge for folks to carry on, and check bags for free, thus getting people on and off much faster, to cut down on delays...



A core metric for airlines is asset utilization. They analyze turn rates with vengeance. Anything that will get a tail airborne faster should be incentivized - crew, ground staff, and passengers 


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GGGG

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #17 on: April 28, 2015, 12:17:02 PM »
A core metric for airlines is asset utilization. They analyze turn rates with vengeance. Anything that will get a tail airborne faster should be incentivized - crew, ground staff, and passengers 


Right.  So my guess is that airlines *want* passengers to carry on their own bags because...

1. It is cheaper than having someone else move the bags, and...

2. It is more time efficient to deal with a longer passenger loading time than tracking and loading checked bags.

JWags85

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #18 on: April 28, 2015, 12:38:39 PM »
Was an interesting article in the Times a few years back, it argued that airlines should charge for folks to carry on, and check bags for free, thus getting people on and off much faster, to cut down on delays...

What takes longer is not people carrying on, its the pretty boys who knowingly carry on bags far too large knowing at very worst they will just have it checked at the gate.  Other than budget airlines, most major airlines won't charge you for that and it slows everything down, whether its trying to shove it in an overhead it clearly doesn't fit in, or the rigamarole at the gate.

jsglow

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #19 on: April 28, 2015, 01:13:38 PM »
A core metric for airlines is asset utilization. They analyze turn rates with vengeance. Anything that will get a tail airborne faster should be incentivized - crew, ground staff, and passengers 

LUV's business model.  Unfortunately in 2013-2014 they over optimized and ended up with a mess on their hands.

warriorchick

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #20 on: April 28, 2015, 01:36:50 PM »
Was an interesting article in the Times a few years back, it argued that airlines should charge for folks to carry on, and check bags for free, thus getting people on and off much faster, to cut down on delays...



If you have ever been at O'Hare or Midway at 1 a.m., staring at a luggage carousel for 30 minutes waiting for it to start moving, you would avoid checking baggage at all costs.
Have some patience, FFS.

keefe

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #21 on: April 28, 2015, 02:11:25 PM »
If you have ever been at O'Hare or Midway at 1 a.m., staring at a luggage carousel for 30 minutes waiting for it to start moving, you would avoid checking baggage at all costs.

Yet another reason I went to flight school!


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WellsstreetWanderer

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #22 on: April 28, 2015, 06:12:21 PM »
       On my second set of Bose noise-cancelling HPs.

       TSA Precheck and Global Entry are the only way to go

        I pack my bag like my backpack, lite and essentials only

        Hotel and rental car programs take the surprises out when you get there. A few years ago I arrived in Portland and they were LITERALLY OUT of cars. They said they had cars coming down from Seattle. Told them I didn't care I had reserved a car and it should have been open and waiting for me.  5 minutes later I was driving an Escalade on the freeway.  Hotel room and rental upgrades are the order of the day.

        Water only on flights and c ompression socks for me on flights over 2hrs.

        And be nice to the flight crew. They have to work while I sit.

jesmu84

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #23 on: April 28, 2015, 06:25:03 PM »

Right.  So my guess is that airlines *want* passengers to carry on their own bags because...

1. It is cheaper than having someone else move the bags, and...

2. It is more time efficient to deal with a longer passenger loading time than tracking and loading checked bags.

As I learned during one delay in my days traveling...

If airlines figure out they have extra cargo space below, they lease it out to companies and ship packages for them - be it individual corporations, UPS, Fedex, whomever. So, add to your list, that they can make even more money if people carry-on so they can sell out the cargo space below.

keefe

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Re: Road "Warriors"
« Reply #24 on: April 28, 2015, 07:32:35 PM »
       compression socks for me on flights over 2hrs.

How the hell old are you???


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