How do people get into jobs that they travel with?

[Adam B]

GCH said:

Asterix said:

Anyone who thinks travelling for work is great, doesn't do enough of it.

Agreed

alternatively: Anyone who thinks travelling for work is great, does a reasonable amount of it on their own terms so it is not a living hell as described by some people above.

I quite enjoy breaking up my business travel, because I do 6 or 7 a year, all business class and decent hotels, and I don't do single day trips which tend to be very early starts and late finishes

[JuniorD]

Personally I think unless every minute spent away from home is considered as working hours, then work related travel is pure balls. In other words, every minute spent after you down tools should be paid or you should be given at least that amount of time off in lieu.

[uuf361]

I fell into jobs that travel early on in my career (Audit), and to start with it was great. Domestic, and an expense account and only M-F, and I thought it was kind of fun to get a rental car dropped off at the door and hotel rooms and being bought dinner etc.

Now 20 years (and sat writing this from middle of nowhere China where I can't make myself understood, can't read anything and rely on a translator for work) it's slightly less atrractive.

I've been away for 10 days so far on this trip (and come back Friday) but will have lost 2 weekends due to the initial travel East and last weekend in Beijing where I had bits of work to do and the smog wasn't great so couldn't be bothered with sightseeing (and have been before)......

It comes with my job so I know it's there but now rather resent having to be away over a whole weekend so that's any trip over 5 ish days (and there are a few of those) as you miss out on family, friends, and life in general.....as I can't make myself understood my diet is very limited and I'm getting little exercise, have no TV to watch and only so much downloaded to the iPlayer......

Those who don't travel seem to think it's awesome, and a blast and a complete jolly, and those that do know the reality.......there are some who are fortunate and get Business/First most of the time (most don't IME) and great hotels (not always) and amazing experiences (rarely IME) but that's not how most businesses work and have a keen eye on controlling costs.

I think I'll always enjoy a bit of travel to get away from the 9-5 in the office, but might try and do less overseas and shorter trips the older I get....