The Glamour of being an international traveller.

[Commuter]

After 'suffering' a rather interesting combination of flights in the last four days (five airlines, with five different sorts of flights - one OneWorld international business class, one non-OneWorld domestic on a turboprop, one OneWorld domestic economy, one OneWorld international economy, and one low cost international), I really feel completely unglamorous and wish I could stay on the ground for at least four weeks.

Yet I have six more sectors to face in the next week, two of them fairly long, with around further 10 sectors before the end of this year. It's definitely not a life of glamour - it is more like a survival exercise at times, especially when you go straight from work to the airport and embark on a long-haul flight, and then go straight to work after LHR-SYD in economy class But such is life, and there are some joys interspersed in all of that - like encountering really nice crew members, receiving excellent service from someone etc.

 

[NM]

Hmm, now how does one define glamour.

Today, while in the midst of a meeting in a foreign country, I received a message that my 3yo daughter was in hospital and about to undergo surgery. Thankfully it was nothing serious, and she is now sleeping soundly having earlier awoken from the GA. But knowing Mrs NM had to make arrangements for our three other children to get themselves home from school while she was ensuring everything was in order for our baby to go into surgery, while I am working 4000 miles away, ensures the glamour of travel is far from glamorous.

 

[Commuter]

Sorry to hear about your daughter having to have an op, NM. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.

 

[Therma]

Hmm, now how does one define glamour.

Today, while in the midst of a meeting in a foreign country, I received a message that my 3yo daughter was in hospital and about to undergo surgery. Thankfully it was nothing serious, and she is now sleeping soundly having earlier awoken from the GA. But knowing Mrs NM had to make arrangements for our three other children to get themselves home from school while she was ensuring everything was in order for our baby to go into surgery, while I am working 4000 miles away, ensures the glamour of travel is far from glamorous.

I am really sorry NM, hope your daughter gets well soon. Kids bounce back quite quickly ( I used to work in paediatric intensive care, so I know). My daughter is about to turn 2 so I sympathise. Cannot imagine ever doing my old work that I am a father. It is bad enough when she gets a bruise.

For her first birthday I was in Perth, cut the trip short so I could at least see he on the day. Got home (singapore) with 15 minutes to spare before midnight, so technically was there. This year will combine vacation with birthday so that I am definitely there for the 2nd b'day. Coming back to Melbourne end of January, missed SQ Y redemption by a few hours (was still available in the morning) , so Mrs and Miss are at the pointy end, while I am in cattletruck.

 

[NM]

Sorry to hear about your daughter having to have an op, NM. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.

I am really sorry NM, hope your daughter gets well soon. Kids bounce back quite quickly

Thanks all. She is just fine. She spent the night in hospital and came home the next morning. Then she just wanted to know "Where Daddy?". She was very bright and cheery on the phone.

The most difficult part was for Mrs NM trying to juggle responsibilities for the other kids at the same time. Thankfully they are now old enough to takes some responsibility for themselves, like getting themselves home from school and making their own dinner.

 

[QF WP]

NM, my thoughts are also with you, Mrs NM and mini-NM#3 - that would have definitely been a challenge for you (being unable to be a father from KL). I know at some stage in life, I'll be faced with the same challenge with mini-LW

Dined with Dave Noble last night at his local - Rocket Bar & Grill. Believe you beat me to dining there with him.

Look forward to catching up with you soon.

 

[NM]

NM, my thoughts are also with you, Mrs NM and mini-NM#3 - that would have definitely been a challenge for you (being unable to be a father from KL). I know at some stage in life, I'll be faced with the same challenge with mini-LW

Thanks for the thoughts. Actually, it was Mini#4 who had the hospital stay this time. Mini#3 had her turn about 15 months ago when she broke her arm, but at least I was not being glamorous at that time and I stayed with her in hospital overnight.

Dined with Dave Noble last night at his local - Rocket Bar & Grill. Believe you beat me to dining there with him.

Yes indeed a pleasant little eatery . Did the have the chocolate soufflé on the menu ?

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks for the thoughts. Actually, it was Mini#4 who had the hospital stay this time. Mini#3 had her turn about 15 months ago when she broke her arm, but at least I was not being glamorous at that time and I stayed with her in hospital overnight.

Yes indeed a pleasant little eatery . Did the have the chocolate soufflé on the menu ?

Had the chocolate on saturday so went for the raspberry yesterday

Dave

 

[kpc]

...while I am working 4000 miles away, ensures the glamour of travel is far from glamorous.

Good to hear she is better Could you not cancel the meeting and fly straight back home?

 

[QF WP]

kpc, sounds like by the time he would have got home, mini-NM#4 would have been home recuperating and Mrs NM had organised the three other mini-NM's, so it probably woud have made little difference to the outcome and could have comprimised the relationship with his company's client.

 

[kpc]

kpc, sounds like by the time he would have got home, mini-NM#4 would have been home recuperating and Mrs NM had organised the three other mini-NM's, so it probably woud have made little difference to the outcome

Point taken

...and could have comprimised the relationship with his company's client.

I would have thought most people would be understanding in this situation

 

[simongr]

Point taken I would have thought most people would be understanding in this situation

It is actually an interesting question i a client facing role. I have in the past flown out of the office to see mrssimongr in hospital but when things have been wrong at home when I have been travelling it has to a be a judgement call. Yes you can go home - at a cost, but what can you do when you get there. If someone else is "handling" the situation then better to get the work done and then go home than have to come back. People are understanding but sometimes it is about being practical.

 

[NM]

kpc, sounds like by the time he would have got home, mini-NM#4 would have been home recuperating and Mrs NM had organised the three other mini-NM's, so it probably woud have made little difference to the outcome and could have comprimised the relationship with his company's client.

Exactly the case. If I was home at the time, the whole thing would have been easier for Mrs NM to manage, but it would have not made any difference to the end result.

 

[Shano]

Whilst I enjoy the travel aspect of my job, my two biggest apprehensions are the time spent away from family (even more so now with mini-Shano in the house - sorry Mrs Shano) and situations like NM has described where a family member suffers an emergency and you are unable to do anything about it.

My father suffered a heart attack (~10 years ago now) the night before I was due to leave for a 3 week O/S trip. Fortunately he survived but with these events we weren't sure that he was going to make it. I postponed my trip and drove up to NSW to be with him. Not that I could actually do anything, but I would not have wanted to be anywhere else under these circumstances.

My trip involved meeting a combination of suppliers and customers, all of whom were very understanding when I contacted them at the last minute to re-arrange my schedule.

Mini-Shano also had to go into hospital for some unscheduled tests while I was in Perth about 12 months ago. I was able to cut short this trip and return home to to be with her and Mrs Shano for what was a pretty stressful time.

So yes, there are definitely unglamorous aspects to work travel.

 

[winetraveller]

I fly back to Melbourne on Sunday after three months in the US, and land the day the my mother flies out to Alaska to stay with my sister who's pregnant and due fairly soon. My mother is then due to fly back to Aus on the day I head back to the US, on Jan 23rd. I was expected in Anchorage for Christmas, but am desperate for a holiday involving sun, sand and coughtails, and to be frank minus 10 outside, screaming kids inside, and the same old family tensions doesn't really compare to two weeks on a beach in Thailand, all compliments of my mad travel schedule this year.

 

[stryker]

I fly back to Melbourne on Sunday after three months in the US, and land the day the my mother flies out to Alaska to stay with my sister who's pregnant and due fairly soon. My mother is then due to fly back to Aus on the day I head back to the US, on Jan 23rd. I was expected in Anchorage for Christmas, but am desperate for a holiday involving sun, sand and coughtails, and to be frank minus 10 outside, screaming kids inside, and the same old family tensions doesn't really compare to two weeks on a beach in Thailand, all compliments of my mad travel schedule this year.

Goodness, it's not common to meet someone with connections in AK.

Give my regards to Gambell St...

 

[wallacej]

I have just read this entire thread, and am glad to hear that most of us feel the same in one way or another.

For mine (now all domestic) I am away primarily from Monday to Friday. Tend to travel early morning or early evening and am away from home for 3 out of 4 weeks.

Nights are spent generally working on emails etc, or watching the box.

I have made a few attempts to go down to the local pub/bar, but always feel like the "odd bloke over there"... I know; no one probably even notices... kind of like eating out, hate doing that on my own. Has anyone developed a way of trying to blend in at a pub etc....I tend to stay in company apartments in each state, so there is no "lobby bar" as such.

My feelings on travel are much like the rest here... love the travel, kind of like a bus, but bragging rights about where you are or been are much greater And of course I have never seen a bus terminal quite like the one we use!

Close to 70 flights this year, you think I would have worked out how to travel on my own, but the only downfall can be the lonliness and solitude. And as others have said... most workmates think you are having a great time travelling around, but in fact I tend to work longer/harder out of the office.

It is great sharing these stories... the good, bad and ugly...