Long Haul Business Travel - Does anyone enjoy it?
Discussion
Got a friend who is just coming up to 30. He works for quite a large telco and has been offered a role that involves looking after Asia and is likely to require a minimum of 25-30 weeks travelling if he remains in the UK. He has also been offered a relocation package to Singapore, but wants to stay in the UK.
I advised him against it, trying to explain that although it might seem glamorous, he would be doing a job that most people don’t stick it for long and he would likely regret it and that if he really wanted the role, he should take the relocation package and go for it.
Like quite a few others, I spent a few years travelling extensively (long and short haul) on business, it seems to be a right of passage when you are younger. (46 now) It was sold to me as a chance to see new places, meet new people and appealed instantly, I just couldn’t understand why the more experienced execs didn’t want to do the same thing.
The reality for me and most others I know is that it very quickly turned into something I hated. The only thing I ever saw of the places I visited was the inside of a cab, a hotel and an office, with the occasional trip out to have dinner or visit a tourist trap and it wasn’t until I went back to some of these places on my own time, I realised I hadn’t really visited them at all. On top of that the timezones blurring into one, not seeing my mates because I never seemed to have a full weekend and almost never a free evening and the general coma I seemed to exist in really got me down.
I also realised, just how much I got sucked in with the airline and hotel loyalty schemes, spending excessive amounts of time worrying about status, miles, qualifying flights, codeshares, aircraft types, seating & lounge access. I never thought that being able to just book a flight to anywhere I want with my choice of airline, class and route, without having to worry about everything above would be so satisfying.
Thankfully, things worked out and I setup my own business, which has done very well and after many years I can now say I don’t mind flying again, so long as it’s on my terms.
I almost shed a tear when I’m in an airport lounge and I see the army of air warriors, who are about to board a plane they know, eat a meal they have already eaten and watch a movie they have already watched…..
For me the novelty wore off after 6 months or so, some of my friends have stuck with it for quite a few years, but I certainly know why the other guys in the office ran the other way!
Do any of you guys who are forced to travel all the time still enjoy it?
I advised him against it, trying to explain that although it might seem glamorous, he would be doing a job that most people don’t stick it for long and he would likely regret it and that if he really wanted the role, he should take the relocation package and go for it.
Like quite a few others, I spent a few years travelling extensively (long and short haul) on business, it seems to be a right of passage when you are younger. (46 now) It was sold to me as a chance to see new places, meet new people and appealed instantly, I just couldn’t understand why the more experienced execs didn’t want to do the same thing.
The reality for me and most others I know is that it very quickly turned into something I hated. The only thing I ever saw of the places I visited was the inside of a cab, a hotel and an office, with the occasional trip out to have dinner or visit a tourist trap and it wasn’t until I went back to some of these places on my own time, I realised I hadn’t really visited them at all. On top of that the timezones blurring into one, not seeing my mates because I never seemed to have a full weekend and almost never a free evening and the general coma I seemed to exist in really got me down.
I also realised, just how much I got sucked in with the airline and hotel loyalty schemes, spending excessive amounts of time worrying about status, miles, qualifying flights, codeshares, aircraft types, seating & lounge access. I never thought that being able to just book a flight to anywhere I want with my choice of airline, class and route, without having to worry about everything above would be so satisfying.
Thankfully, things worked out and I setup my own business, which has done very well and after many years I can now say I don’t mind flying again, so long as it’s on my terms.
I almost shed a tear when I’m in an airport lounge and I see the army of air warriors, who are about to board a plane they know, eat a meal they have already eaten and watch a movie they have already watched…..
For me the novelty wore off after 6 months or so, some of my friends have stuck with it for quite a few years, but I certainly know why the other guys in the office ran the other way!
Do any of you guys who are forced to travel all the time still enjoy it?
My FIL just retired from head buyer for a large electronics retailer and he hated the long distance trips out to the far east mostly but also to the states. He would get chauffeured from home to the airport then either business or first onwards to had destination. For some people that would seem like one hell of a job but he just wanted to be home with the grandkids and the actual chore of travelling outweighed the luxuries.
I do around 4 short and 2 long haul (8 hours) flights a year. Usually premium economy for the long haul. Our expenses policy is fairly open here so it makes choosing evening meals easy.
I have friends at all destinations that I have made over the years, so it makes thing easier. I wouldn't say I hate it but I certainly prefer not to travel personally now. Approaching 40, I would certainly rather be at home doing the garden or walking the dog!
I certainly would not consider the travel that the OP's post is suggesting, truly life sucking. You would spend all your UK time being a zombie before you shot off again.
I have friends at all destinations that I have made over the years, so it makes thing easier. I wouldn't say I hate it but I certainly prefer not to travel personally now. Approaching 40, I would certainly rather be at home doing the garden or walking the dog!
I certainly would not consider the travel that the OP's post is suggesting, truly life sucking. You would spend all your UK time being a zombie before you shot off again.
I travel very frequently (weekly) to europe and normally 4 or 5 longhauls per year to australia new zealand singapore etc.
Never travelled in 1st or business- and being in ignorance of the uplift in service associated with the 3-5 times economy ticket cost is absolutely fine with me... you just need to pick the right airline, adjust your expectations and go with the flow.
I actually find the airport more of a ball ache than the flight as there is always time pressure then long waits then general t
ttery from occasional travellers.
A pair of headphones to drown out noisy passengers or screaming babies, a blind fold for sleeping and the ability to start and hold a conversation with anybody allows for easy travel.
Yes there are times I would rather be at home with the wife and kids, when that happens I normally hire a motorcycle in the country I'm in and those feelings melt away as I buzz around the city/countryside for a few hours.
Worldwide travel has given me the oppurtunity to check out where I want to live and at the end of October my family are off to Melbourne Victoria to live - I wouldnt have known what it was like if i hadnt been there through work
Lifes what you make of it...
Never travelled in 1st or business- and being in ignorance of the uplift in service associated with the 3-5 times economy ticket cost is absolutely fine with me... you just need to pick the right airline, adjust your expectations and go with the flow.
I actually find the airport more of a ball ache than the flight as there is always time pressure then long waits then general t
ttery from occasional travellers.A pair of headphones to drown out noisy passengers or screaming babies, a blind fold for sleeping and the ability to start and hold a conversation with anybody allows for easy travel.
Yes there are times I would rather be at home with the wife and kids, when that happens I normally hire a motorcycle in the country I'm in and those feelings melt away as I buzz around the city/countryside for a few hours.
Worldwide travel has given me the oppurtunity to check out where I want to live and at the end of October my family are off to Melbourne Victoria to live - I wouldnt have known what it was like if i hadnt been there through work
Lifes what you make of it...
For me it depends on family
If I was 30 with no kids and no partner I'd jump at the chance
Married/steady partner: Makes it hard
With kids: Hate being away for long periods as you miss so much
Each to their own, i know some blokes with families who enjoy the travel as they struggle/don't enjoy family life and business travel involves working hard and then drinking harder!
If I was 30 with no kids and no partner I'd jump at the chance
Married/steady partner: Makes it hard
With kids: Hate being away for long periods as you miss so much
Each to their own, i know some blokes with families who enjoy the travel as they struggle/don't enjoy family life and business travel involves working hard and then drinking harder!
cashmax said:
I also realised, just how much I got sucked in with the airline and hotel loyalty schemes, spending excessive amounts of time worrying about status, miles, qualifying flights, codeshares, aircraft types, seating & lounge access. I never thought that being able to just book a flight to anywhere I want with my choice of airline, class and route, without having to worry about everything above would be so satisfying.
If you haven't seen it, watch the George Clooney film 'Up in the air'.I travel 20-30 times a year, I think the most is appx 90 flights in 12 months, a mix of EU and US, no ME or Asia as I work on Space / military programmes, currently.
I wouldn't go on LH if it was in economy, its bad enough travelling to the US for 2 / 3 days as it is. I still, sometimes, enjoy it and have seen places I would not have otherwise been, but it causes an issue when I return home and I just want to stay home / relax but my girlfriend wants to go out, etc.
Been doing it for circa 3 years now, dependent on my next role within the business it may / may not continue, I couldn't contemplate working everyday from the same office, with the same people so any role needs to have some aspect of travel.
I wouldn't go on LH if it was in economy, its bad enough travelling to the US for 2 / 3 days as it is. I still, sometimes, enjoy it and have seen places I would not have otherwise been, but it causes an issue when I return home and I just want to stay home / relax but my girlfriend wants to go out, etc.
Been doing it for circa 3 years now, dependent on my next role within the business it may / may not continue, I couldn't contemplate working everyday from the same office, with the same people so any role needs to have some aspect of travel.
Did it for about five years travelling up country (and I mean well beyond the tarmac!) in places such as Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Malawi, India, UAE, Oman, South America, USSR etc. Quite enjoyed it most of the time as I got to some very very remote and fascinating places. Had a few scary episodes and got a bit wearing after a while so the best bit was sometimes the flight home! Was tough on the wife when I kept disappearing at short notice but she also got used to it -apart from one trip to the Peruvian Andes where I practically vanished up into the mountains for 3 months!
Ultimately it got a bit much and I quit but I can safely say I look back on it as a fantastic period in my life so I'd recommend it to anyone given the opportunity to give it a go for a while. Looks great on the CV too!
Ultimately it got a bit much and I quit but I can safely say I look back on it as a fantastic period in my life so I'd recommend it to anyone given the opportunity to give it a go for a while. Looks great on the CV too!
It's not for everyone, but I enjoyed it - for the most part. Luckily as one of the directors of the company I had a lot more freedom to arrange my schedule to suit my liftstyle. Started in my twenties and did it for 12 years before setting up my own company last year.
I'm glad I did it when I did, but I wouldn't do it again at this age. It suited a different phase of my life.
I'd recommend at least trying it to someone young, free and single if the opportunity arises. It gave me a much broader view of the world and business in general which has been extremely helpful.
I'm glad I did it when I did, but I wouldn't do it again at this age. It suited a different phase of my life.
I'd recommend at least trying it to someone young, free and single if the opportunity arises. It gave me a much broader view of the world and business in general which has been extremely helpful.
Completely agree with the OP. I have done 20 long haul flights in a year before and have even flew back from India to the UK just for the weekend. Australia is such a ball ache, Middle East and UK East Coast is easy, Asia and West Coast US somewhere inbetween.
As for short haul, just do it in a day. Makes the day long but better than being away all the time.
Also, as others have said, turning left helps but it is still ultimately a miserable and soul distroying business. I have even flown at the pointy end and it is still the same, just nicer bed/food etc. Young free and single it may be tolerable but with family, forget it.
I would move out there, experiance the culture, meet some locals and then come back when one gets bored.
As for short haul, just do it in a day. Makes the day long but better than being away all the time.
Also, as others have said, turning left helps but it is still ultimately a miserable and soul distroying business. I have even flown at the pointy end and it is still the same, just nicer bed/food etc. Young free and single it may be tolerable but with family, forget it.
I would move out there, experiance the culture, meet some locals and then come back when one gets bored.
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