How do you cope with emergencies at home when travelling?

[Pushka]

One of my son's friends is in the SAS and has served several terms in Afghanistan. He married in April, and is off again in July. That's next week. It is his last term there. He is able to contact his family quite regularly, which is brilliant. But it doesn't change the worry. I feel quite uneasy about him going this time, and the death of an SAS person from his base over the weekend heightened it. I can't imagine how his new wife/parents must be thinking.

So different from when dad/grandfather served in WW1. You received letters that were months old, and all people knew was that they were alive back then.

Kind of makes travel for work such a non issue I guess, but with different risks.

But then, a 26 year old mother died in Adelaide this week when a speeding driver crashed into her home and crashed into her bedroom where she was sitting.

 

[Swanhaven]

Family illness is a big call:
I travel overseas frequently with the knowledge that my third son has a terminal disease - however, the travel is essential for the well-being of our family companies.
So I have always a "back-up" plan.
I carry the highest level of insurance I can get.
I always book flights that have multiple returns from various carriers
I am never anymore than 24 hours from home
I carry "one particular phone" that is only known to my family.
I have an outstanding Travel Agent, who gives our companies an account
I have her contact on a 24 hour basis and can and have had tickets issued in minutes
By arrangement, I have access to my son's doctor who will give me a "critical" update.
And I have a P1 crew who have been simply outstanding when I needed it once.
And I have the greatest important part of all and that is a supportive and proactive family.

There is no doubt that those who have to travel frequently and have young families - that is the "hard" yards. Wives need support when the kids are sick - no matter the cause and there is nothing harder than disease of any nature sweeping through young kids - wife on own - no sleep - no support, tired and angry. But as a previous writer said "that travel is sometimes part of the job and it comes with the family".

There are no easy answers to hard questions. I doubt that any frequent traveller, with a young family, leaves home without wondering "what is going to happen next"?

But, have a plan in place and stick to it.

I have staff who have to travel to Asia frequently and one golden rule is "that you MUST ring home at least once each day" no matter the cost - it maintains family coherence and ensures they know "you care".
Makes the difference.