OK, I originally wrote this post about a week ago on my way to Miami from Dayton via the Charlotte airport. I was able to take some pretty nice photos in the airport, and then had to go into "work mode" once I landed in Miami.
Speaking of "Work Mode" - let me define what that means, and what it really means when I travel for my company.
Most of the time, I try to book my flights with at least an hour layover between airports (because I fly out of Dayton and there are rarely directs on United or (what I will soon not be able to fly, Thanks American) US Airways). When I fly for work, I don't get to go first class, as much as you may think I deserve it - my company has a policy that they do not pay for anything above coach unless it's an international flight longer than 4 or 5 hours, and even then you get coach plus (a little more leg room). If I get enough miles, then this is my choice and points to do whatever I want. I'm not going to say there hasn't been times that I've purchased upgrades out of pocket, but I'm also not going to say that I do this all the time. Most of the time I'm in the back, on the aisle trying to just get between places.
So why United? Well, that's a long and complicated story. Best and quickest answer I can give is that they offer me a few more flights than others (although that's now changing with the previously mentioned US Airways/American deal all but over). I try to stay consistent, because it's quicker and easier to get the points so I can take a vacation somewhere with my family (at least that's what I tell myself). The other reason is that I use a company called priority pass, this company sells a package that allows (in certain airports) the ability to use a United/US Air club even when you are not on their airline. I found it a lot easier to get into the club if I just fly UA/US Air though. This has helped out tremendously in the past, as when I was one time trapped in Chicago, the customer service desk at the UA club was great and was able to get me home still that night. That being said, I do not always go to the clubs; soemtimes there's no time - but most of the time, I'm too busy purchasing last minute gifts for the BB and the boy.
Hotels... I like the Hilton brand, they've always done right by me and I dig their service. This is usually never a problem, because Hilton is everywhere.
What do I do on these company trips? Well, that depends on the mission and why am I there. Sometimes it's an audit, which means I get off the plane, go direct to the office and spend the next 2 days looking at files and trying to get it done with as quick and efficiently as possible. Sometimes I go in a day early and if I have friends or family in the town, will try and catch a dinner with them; but most of the time I'm on my own and I just grab quick bites to eat, run on the treadmill early in the morning, and then go to the office. One last thing to point out about hotels, I do check for bed bugs each and every time, it's a hassle, but adding me that bit of security for me...
OK, that's it for now, it's late and I need to get to sleep to work on tomorrow's project.
Love,
JT